Melinda Hettick

Melinda Hettick is an American poker player known for her consistent participation in live tournaments, particularly within the WSOP Circuit and RunGood Poker Series (RGPS). Her recorded career includes 21 cashes, two final tables, and total earnings of $28,164. Despite not winning a WSOP bracelet or circuit ring, she has repeatedly made deep runs in events at Hard Rock Tulsa and other venues.

Hettick has multiple cashes in WSOP Circuit events at Hard Rock Tulsa. Notable results include:

• March 2026: 16th place in $400 40/40/40 NL Hold'em for $1,075.
• March 2025: 5th place in a $300 Seniors event for $2,155.
• March 2024: 5th place in a $177-entry event for $3,306.
• March 2024: 29th place in a $535-entry event for $1,215.
• March 2025: 45th place in $1,700 Main Event for $3,575.

Hettick has a long history with the RunGood Poker Series (formerly RunGoodGear.com) at Hard Rock Tulsa, with multiple deep runs and notable hands recorded by PokerNews:

• 2014: Hettick eliminated Mesgana Tesfaridet with pocket kings versus Tesfaridet's ace-high, chipping up to 101,300 in the $675 Main Event.
• 2015: Hettick was eliminated from the Main Event after her all-in with king-jack lost to Jim Wilson's two-outer (queen-nine) on the river.
• 2016: Hettick made a straight flush against Randy Clements, showing jack-eight of hearts on a board that gave her a straight flush to win a sizable pot.
• 2019: Hettick tripled up with pocket queens against Justin Gardenhire and another opponent, finishing the hand with 24,000 chips.

Her best recorded cash in a RunGood event came in October 2025: 38th place in the $800 Main Event for $1,658.

Based on limited hand history reports, Hettick appears comfortable with aggressive plays such as shoving with strong hands (e.g., pocket kings) and calling down with marginal holdings (e.g., jack-eight suited). However, no detailed public analysis of her overall strategy exists.

While not a household name, Hettick represents the dedicated tournament grinder who consistently competes in regional circuits. Her longevity in events like the RGPS Main Shows her commitment to the game.