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."
