October 14th, 2009Father Andrew Trapp
Father Andrew Trapp Photo Image
Most everyone that plays poker will at one time or another pray to the “poker gods” for help. However, there is one many that will not only pray at the table, but can also offer absolution for your sins. Father Andrew Trapp from Garden City, South Carolina recently won $100,000 on Fox’s Million Dollar Challenge program.
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In order to win the $100,000, Trapp had to win three heads-up matches. The first two matches, he was assisted by Daniel Negreanu. In the first match, Trapp faced former NBA player John Salley. Negreanu sat at the table with Trapp and offered commentary, but couldn’t see his cards. Trapp was able to have one private conference with Negreanu, which he used at a key moment in the game. Trapp defeated Salley and faced Vanessa Rousso. This time, Negreanu sat in a booth and could see Trapp’s cards. Negreanu could offer advice via an earpiece. Trapp was able to take down Rousso and $25,000 in cash.
Father Andrew Trapp Video
Trapp had a choice to either walk away with $25,000 or face Daniel Negreanu for $100,000 and a seat at a final awarding $1 Million to the winner. Trapp elected to play and ultimately eliminated Daniel in a hand where he flopped top pair and Daniel a double gutshot straight draw. For defeating Negreanu, he took $100,000 and will have a chance to play for $1 Million in December.
Trapp is an assistant pastor at St. Michael Catholic Church in Garden City, South Carolina. Any money that he wins will be donated to his church’s building fund. Trapp has been an ordained minister since 2007 and says that there is no moral issue in the playing of poker. Even the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that games of chance or wagering on games is not morally wrong in and of themselves. It is when they lead to immoral or depraved behavior that they become morally unacceptable.
Trapp said that regardless of winning money, he would have viewed the experience as a success. He stated, “Even if I didn’t win any money, it would be an opportunity for people across the country to see that there are still young men choosing to be priests, and that one can be joy-filled and have fun as one serves God.”
So far, the “Poker Playing Priest” has made his impression on the poker community and taken down $100,000 in prize money. Now, can he turn that into $1 Million? We will find out in December.
