Family Affair: Massey Brothers Make an Impact in the WPT Gardens Main Event

By Kevin Taylor

The duo of Aaron (pictured above) and Ralph Massey (pictured below) travel the poker circuit together and are some of the most recognizable players in the game today with personalities that match their styles. Heading into Day 4 of the WPT Gardens Main Event, both were in the field with 46 players remaining and looking to reach the final table together. Unfortunately, Ralph busted out in 24th place, leaving only Aaron left to represent the Massey family.

On one of the breaks of Day 4, the two said that the experience has already been one of a lifetime and that they hoped to keep it going as long as possible.

“I feel good,” Aaron said on the earlier break. “I’m having so much fun and every time I look over at Ralph it makes me smile.

Ralph responded with similar sentiments: “Feeling good, I’m comfortable. I’m having a great time.”

This is the second time the two have run deep in a big buy-in event, previously with Ralph finishing eighth and Aaron taking 32nd in the 2013 Chicago Poker Classic Main Event. This event was the first time both brothers have made it past a Day 3 in the same event.

“This is definitely the most prestigious event that we’ve been this deep in together, so we are just hoping we can make it to Day 5 together,” Aaron said.

As mentioned before, the two brothers travel together to most of their poker spots. They have forged a unique bond between the two and have been there for each other every step of the way, through good times and bad.

“It’s just so much more fun and we relate to each other in almost every way, so it’s a lot easier to deal with stuff,” Aaron said. “It’s a lot of fun when you have inside jokes, too.”

Ralph expanded on that thought: “Having a support system there is definitely necessary when you are going through a downswing. When you have an upswing, you get to party and have fun together so it’s a win-win.”

When asked what a WPT final table and title would mean to the two, they actually had different answers for what motivates them the most. For Aaron, cash rules everything around him.

“We’re just trying to get that money, so we’re just pumped up and ready to try to take it all the way to the top,” Aaron said.

On the other hand, Ralph said with this run, he is living a dream that he has had ever since he started playing poker full time.

“For me, the championship would mean a lot,” Ralph said. “Definitely one of my goals when I started playing poker, and it’s hands down my number one goal right now.”

While Aaron is still in, Ralph has busted and his dream WPT title will have to wait. That said, we’re sure he wouldn’t mind seeing his brother taking this one down now that he’s been eliminated.

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