The 2nd Annual Cy Church 50/50 Memorial Poker Tournament will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, starting at 12:00 noon in the Cadillac Jack’s Poker Room, located at 360 Main St., Deadwood, SD. Cy Church was a dedicated and respected player in the poker community, known for his impressive reputation as a regular participant in tournaments, especially with the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT). W
ith career earnings totaling $342,414 since 2016, Cy achieved 17 cashes in MSPT Main Events, including three final table appearances. His remarkable journey included finishing as the runner-up in the MSPT Michigan State Poker Championship in October 2016, where he earned a career-high of $114,701. In 2021, he achieved fourth place in the MSPT Grand Falls for $33,972, followed by a third-place finish in the MSPT South Dakota State Poker Championship in Deadwood, winning $53,340. His journey was tragically cut short when he passed away unexpectedly on March 31, 2023. Beyond his achievements in poker, Cy was a familiar and cherished presence at Cadillac Jack's for Tournament Wednesdays and Deep Stack Saturdays. Casino Manager Keith Rodgers expressed, “In addition to being a skilled competitor, he brought his infectious smile and gentle spirit to the table.” Cy was known to embody kindness and generosity, and Cadillac Jack's is proud to host the Cy Church 50/50 Memorial Poker Tournament in honor of his remarkable spirit. Humble about his abilities, Cy exemplified compassion, pursued recovery, and derived joy from helping others. Reflecting his values, his family founded the Cy Church Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to empowering individuals on their recovery journey from substance use disorder. The foundation's mission is to remove barriers to recovery, promote healing, and inspire transformative change—one person, one step, and one day at a time.