Tag-Team Freeroll Event Highlights North Dakota Final
159 Dakota Poker League players will be making their way to the Westside Bar and Grill tomorrow to compete in the Free Poker Network’s North Dakota Championship. These qualifiers will be vying for a chance to win one of six grand prizes that include an airfare and hotel package to sunny Las Vegas for a chance to play in the exclusive 25-player National Championship, where FPN will give away more than $12,000 in buy-ins, including a $5,000 WSOP Circuit Main Event Seat. Those who bust early can join spectators to compete in a fun “Tag Team Re-buy” $200 Freeroll Event. Players will join together in a tag-team format with an interesting twist: Each team will get a “re-buy” card! When a team loses its chips, it will receive a starting chip stack. This should make for a very entertaining event!
The action starts tomorrow at noon with local poker star Mitch Shock as MC. Among the players looking to take home one of the six grand prizes are some veritable players. Topping the list is Art Zieman, a double direct qualifier from the Bismarck VFW. Art’s six-time qualifying experience may help him finally burst out of the bubble-boy status he held in two previous championship events. He’s also the point leader for this promotion, managing to rack up an impressive 1,574 combined points.
With more championship experience than any other person playing tomorrow, Calvin Mosbrucker is set to make his 10th championship appearance. Calvin’s big win in the HPT Summer Poker Challenge II led him to the winning seat, and he’s hoping to relive that winning experience by claiming one of the six national seats we’ll award at tomorrow’s event.
Brent Hauge, Brian Aune, Thomas Eaglestaff, Ron Johnsen and Preston Sweeney are the five former champions in today’s field, and they’re all hoping to bring home one of the six grand prizes in tomorrow’s tournament. Brent Hauge happens to be the latest winner, cashing out for a $2,000 package in The Desert Heat promotion. You can bet Brent is still relishing in his recent win and will be playing full tilt to add another championship notch to his belt. Brian Aune will also be playing hard for another win, having cashed out in the Ship It! promotion for a $3,500 package. Four-time qualifier Thomas Eaglestaff also has his sights set on winning one of the six grand prizes, hoping to add another trophy to his recent Vegas Invasion promotion win. And finally there are Ron Johnsen and Preston Sweeney who both made the final table in the first Destination Las Vegas promotion, managing to walk away with a $2,500 package each.
While these players are looking to win big at tomorrow’s event, there are many more out there with some impressive stats, including Roberta Nelson. This tournament will be Roberta’s third, and she’s looking to win at the final table, a feat she has yet to accomplish.
Hope to see all your (smiling) poker faces in Mandan tomorrow. Until then, may lady luck be on your side!