The Poker-Playing Priest

Meet Father Andrew Trapp, the poker player priest from South Carolina.

Not only is he a good poker player, but he has also won $100,000 on the PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge, which is the newest reality show on Fox that is based around poker.  Aside from this, he has also earned a seat into the championship that will be held on December, giving himself the chance to win the $1,000,000 prize.

Getting Into the Show

An avid soccer and paintball player, Father Trapp also enjoys the game of poker.  He has been playing Texas Hold'Em poker for years now, but only for fun, so when he heard about the show last summer, he decided to play at the qualifier online tournaments in PokerStars. Luck was with him or God, for that matter, when he won against his opponents, giving him the chance to audition for the said show.  But before submitting his two-minute video clip, he showed his video sample to Bishop Robert Gugielmonte of Charleston.  Father Trapp stated his reasons for joining the said show and was given the approval he was seeking.

Last month, Father Trapp received word that he got into the show.

In the Show

Last Sunday, Father Trapp awed millions of viewers as he defeated poker pros like Vanessa Rousso and John Salley.  He even left the viewers stunned when he defeated Daniel Negreanu, WSOP champion who has numerous WSOP bracelets under his belt.

In the course of his game, he won $100,000, as stated above, and the opportunity to return in December for the chance to take home the grand prize of $1 million.

Father Trapp's Reasons

Although there might be some people who raised their eyebrows at the thought of a priest playing poker in a game show, especially since the church is one of the staunchest opponents of any kind of gambling, his reasons are very humble.

All his earnings will go directly to fund his church, the St. Michael Church, and the money that he will win will help build a new church.  Aside from the fact that he wants to help his church, he also wanted to show the world the fun side of priests and that they, like normal people, also enjoy a good round of poker.

So, let us wait and see the return of the poker-playing priest on December 27 as he competes with other participants for the chance to take home the grand prize of a million dollars.

TagsAndrew Trapp, Daniel Negreanu, Hold'Em poker, online tournaments, poker player, PokerStars, St. Michael Church, WSOP

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