Troy Demann from Dundas, MN is the New FPN National Champ!
What a weekend in Vegas!!! The Ultimate Poker Fantasy National Championship in Las Vegas turned into a rockin' good time and the league crowned the latest champ, Troy Demann from Dawn's Corner Bar in Dundas, MN. Troy earned the coveted $10,000 WSOP Main Event Seat for his accomplishment.
A total of 96 players from 14 different states made the trip. The great news, no matter how the championship tournament went, everyone got a shot at playing a WSOP daily tournament, and several players scored big! In all, over $13,000 in cash was won by FPN players!
The championship tournament did not go off without a hitch. Unexpectedly, the Golden Nugget poker room had a HUGE turnout for their Seniors Event (hundreds of players) and forced a delay to the start of the FPN tourney. The decision was made to delay the start time 2 hours. Players remained in good spirits and the FPN crew scrambled to make the best of it by inviting everyone up to the Chairman's Suite for a first-ever pre-tournament party! Beverages were served. The suite featured a baby grand piano and a private hot tub on the balcony. The timing worked out great because it allowed everyone to watch the Belmont and California Chrome's bid for the Triple Crown.
As soon as the race ended, it was back to the business of playing poker. The action was fast and furious, and perhaps the pre-tourney cocktails had something to do with that?!
After 8 hours of play, The overall winner was Troy Demann from (Dawns Corner Bar) Dundas, MN. He took the tournament down to win the coveted $10,000 Main Event WSOP seat. Not without some luck of course! Troy managed his way through the tournament without having a big stack, then early in final table play cracked aces to save his tournament and never looked back. In the end, it came down to Troy and Lois Kihne (Silver Dollar Bar) from Mandan, ND and Christy Lange (Touchdown Club) from North Platte, NE. They each earned $1,000 WSOP Tourney buy-ins.
Here is the list of the final table:
- 1st - Troy Demann - Dawn's Corner Bar - Dundas, MN
- 2nd - Lois Kihne - Silver Dollar - Mandan, ND
- 3rd - Christy Lange Touchdown Club - North Platte, NE
- 4th - Dave Thomas - Touchdown Club - North Platte, NE
- 5th - Monte Evans - Starters Bar in Redfield, SD
- 6th - Randy Breitenfeld - Billy's Corner Bar - Vergas, MN
- 7th - Dean Leingang - Silver Dollar - Mandan, ND
- 8th - Erik Eystad - Pep's Sports Bar - Willmar, MN
- 9th - Ben Tesch - Shenanigan's Pub - Sioux Falls, SD
- 10th - Cesar Diaz - Copper Top Saloon - Arlington, TX
Great news came on Sunday, when we got word of multiple cashes by FPN players. Steve Tysinger (TimeOut Hut) from Lexington, NC took down the early morning tournament for $2840. Brad Mitchell (Sidelines Restaurant) from Red Hook, NY cashed in the $235 WSOP deep stack tournament for $1374. Paul Meyers (Port 104) from Lake City, MN had a four way chop in the Golden Nugget Grand Series for a $2,751 payday. Chris Aman (McGillicuddy’s) from New Paltz, NY had a min cash for $221. Steve Fredlund (Jumpin’ Jacks) from Isanti, MN cashed in the $235 $1700.
Players that play in the league who were also in Vegas at the same time Jen Spiez cashed $2913 in a WSOP Deep Stack tourney. Last, but not least Jim Rinke from North Carolina cashed in the $1k WSOP bracelet event for $1800.
Altogether a total of $13,599 was pocketed by FPN players on Sunday alone!. It was a very memorable trip including multiple parties up in the suite. We would love to tell you about them but you know the old adage what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Make sure to take a look on our facebook page to see some of the pictures…(some are missing) You are going to want to qualify in this promotion so you don’t miss out next time!