Good people deserve Great Recognition

A Good friend of mine, Brent Hulin, Recently participated in a Charity Poker Event related to his profession. What was great about Hulin not only participating in this event, but actually Winning it and putting the winnings to great use.It is safe to say that not many of Brent's coworkers are aware of his hidden talent....well not really hidden for those who know him and play against him regularly....but in the real world where poker is just gambling and a game of chance, Brent's skills may have been a surprise to many.He shared this awesome news with me and I wanted to jump on the chance to interview him because what he did with his winnings from the tournament is what very few poker players would do and shows just how much of a class act guy he is!

Where was this tournament held? Anaheim Convention Center

Did the tournament have a name? Milestone Aviation Group 2^nd Annual Poker Tournament                       

Was there a buyin or was it sponsored? Sponsored by Milestone Aviation Group. There was a field of 90 entrants in the helicopter, leasing and aviation world in attendance. Final table spots won prizes from charitable donations to a $20K watch (first place).                        

Is this a yearly event? Or just a one time thing, sounds like a great way to meet fellow colleagues in your field. This was the 2^nd Annual Tournament.

It’s an event that is held one evening during the Helicopter Association International https://www.rotor.com/

Upon entering the tournament was it a requirement to have charities to donate to? The winners were able to choose their charities after the tournament.

How long have you been playing poker and who would you say have been your biggest influence in learning the game? I started playing poker about 10 years ago. Texas Hold Em’ was very popular at the time. I joined some co-workers after work at a bar called Pete’s. They taught me about the game and I won a few bucks that night. I was hooked! I started playing in some online games and started playing house games and hosting cash games of my own. There were some nights I’d play till 6 in the morning at friends houses winning a few hundred bucks. I cashed 5^th place in 2009 in the United Way Poker Tournament for $1k. The buyins were split into charity / cash payouts. Due to my busy work and life schedule I hadn’t played poker in about 18 months. I just got back into the game in February. I followed my good friend Kevin Eyster while I took my hiatus. He has a special talent and never gave up on his dream. He is definitely an influence to me when I think about the psychology of the game.

What was the coolest thing you have won/received that has been involved with poker. My good friend Kevin Eyster and I played poker together for many years when I was in college. I signed a deck of cards for him once when I beat him up in a cash game. After he moved away and started playing in some big name tournaments he stopped in town one night by my apartment to visit. He had the munchies and ate a box of Cheez-its Hot & Spicy. I told him when he wins a big tournament he better send me a signed box of Cheez-its and it better be the Hot & Spicy! A few months ago I received my signed box of Cheez-it Hot & Spicy after he won the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown and cashed a cool $660K. I won’t be eating those anytime soon!

I hope you don't eat those Cheez-Its buddy. One that is priceless story, and two I can't guarantee the health risk you would be taking haha.


If you still don't know who Kevin Eyster is,here is a short clip of the WPT Seminole Event Mr. Hulin is referring to where Tony "Bond18" Dunst breaks down the great poker play of 1$ickDisea$E

Update: The original article is no longer available online, but here's what it said....I'll make his fame last forever ;)

March 31 -- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and a local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation are each receiving a $7,500 donation, thanks to Brent Hulin’s poker-playing skills in a charity tournament held at Heli-Expo.

Brent, who works in global aircraft sales and acquisitions in New Iberia, took second place in the event, which was sponsored by aircraft lessor Milestone Aviation Group. Approximately 90 people entered the tournament.

“I started playing poker for fun about 10 years ago and mostly play home games but I have done well in tournaments before,” Brent says. “So you could say I have some poker skills but there is always luck involved.”

Special significance
Brent’s choices of St. Jude and Make-A-Wish are not random selections, as both organizations had a major impact on his life while he was battling leukemia when he was 15 years old.

“I was being treated at Tulane University in New Orleans and was having a difficult time with the chemotherapy treatments,” Brent says. “They consulted with St. Jude to change up the treatments and it helped but it was still a tough year.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation offered Brent a wish and the avid football fan made the most of it, choosing to attend the Super Bowl in San Diego in January 2003 (Tampa Bay 48, Oakland 21). His only regret is that his favorite team, the New Orleans Saints, wasn’t playing.

Now 29, Brent is in full remission. “It was almost half my life ago but I am glad to be able to make these donations and thanks to Milestone for putting on the tournament.” 

caption: Bristow’s Brent Hulin (right) won second place at Milestone Aviation Group’s poker tournament at Heli-Expo and $15,000 in charitable donations.

Posted 31-Mar-2014 17:49:14 CDT