Qualifier Profile: Former Police Lieutenant Brett Baublitz
For the past several weeks, BetMGM in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey has been qualifying players online for the live $3,500 buy-in, $1,000,000 GTD BetMGM Poker Championship June 23-26 at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
One player to win their way in was Michigan's Brett Baublitz, a retired lieutenant from the Gratiot County Sheriff��s Office who plays online as ��Hitman29904LT��.
"That came about from an old professional wrestler Brett 'The Hitman' Hart combined with the County I worked for '29', my badge number '904', and my rank when I retired," Baublitz told PokerNews. ��I retired from the Gratiot County Sheriff��s Office after 25 years of service in 2018. I started my new career working for the City of Alma as their Director of Transportation for our local transit system."
Baublitz, who lives in Ithaca, recently turned 50, has a beautiful wife and two wonderful children.
"Both of my kids are married, and my son and his wife are expecting their first child," he said with a smile.
Baublitz learned to play poker as a young man playing nickel/quarter cash games. He was a part of a poker club for a few years where we met monthly in a tournament-style format. Naturally, he found his way to online poker when it came to the Wolverine State.
"I��ve been on BetMGM for probably two years now," he explained. "I joined because of the amazing first-time offers that were available. I��ve stayed because the platform is amazing. I��ve had some success on BetMGM playing their casino games (mainly blackjack). I enjoy the sportsbook too!"
As for winning his way to Vegas, Baublitz is quite excited as it'll be his first visit to Sin City.
"I��m excited to take it all in," he said. "I��ve never played poker in any major tournaments either. I watch several poker professionals online and learn their playstyle. My favorite player is probably Daniel Negreanu. I enjoy watching him process the table, have a good attitude while playing, and best of all have fun. Life is short to do something that you don��t get pleasure from. I would love the chance to meet him if possible. I know that Darin Elias will be there, and he��s playing some of the best poker in the world today."
As for Baublitz's proudest poker accomplishment to date? ... "I��d say qualifying for this event."
