It was a night of bold bets and big wins as The Bryan Museum’s Delegados Advocate Board hosted its annual Come and Take It Poker Tournament and Casino Night at the River Oaks Country Club. The evening meshed Las Vegas-style thrills with Lone Star spirit, drawing those eager to try their luck while supporting the Galveston museum’s educational and outreach programs.

  

Photo by Dave Rossman

200 people attended the party.

The Garden Room became a gambler’s haven, thanks to event designer Sherry Boudreaux of Simply Sherry. A bold color scheme of red, black, and gold set the stage, accented by starburst balloon bouquets and a massive illuminated wall featuring the event’s battle cry, “Come and Take It” — a nod to the famous phrase from the Battle of Gonzales, the first skirmish in Texas’ fight for independence.

Professional poker, roulette, craps, and blackjack tables kept the night rolling while country artist Will Carter provided the soundtrack for a party that was anything but reserved. The signature drink, The Bryan Old-Fashioned, quickly became a crowd favorite.

Between rounds of high-stakes poker and spirited dice rolls, guests cheered as winners claimed impressive prizes, including a Yeti cooler stocked with whiskeys and tequilas, an autographed Andre Johnson Battle Red Helmet, a custom leather gun case, a museum collector’s starter kit, and original artwork by Laura Goodson.

The tournament’s grand prize, a Clint Ormes sterling silver trophy buckle engraved with “Come and Take It,” went to Jay Lendrum, who played his cards right to claim ultimate bragging rights. Meanwhile, a raffle, wine pull, and pop-up shop by The Hat Chick meant everyone left feeling like a winner.

The 200 guests raised funds for The Bryan Museum’s educational programming, which brings Texas history to life for students and communities across the Gulf Coast.

Among them were Mary Jon and JP Bryan, Andrea and JB Bryan, Alicia Bryan, Ava Leigh and Ross Pellegrin, Melissa Williams Murphy, D’Lisa and John Johnston, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Kate and Steve Gibson, Walter Boudreaux, Romy and Jason Dell’Ario, Ken Wise, Lara Bell and Brent Milam, Diane Rogers, Max Lozmack, Annabel and Nick Florescu, Kimberly Duffy, Sherry and Brad Weiner, Ellen and Jeff Daugherty, Stephanie Nielsen, Angela Hernandez, and Lisa LaCorte.