Season 1 Championship Tournament May 05

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What a tournament...90 players started the 2-day event.  Despite a 5000 starting chip count & 1/2 hour blinds, 3 players were finished in the opening round!  The play was fast & furious and it was obvious that everyone who made it this far was playing to win. Larry Ristvedt (Elks, Fargo) got off to a great start, as did Jeff Neiber (Trophy's, Wahpeton).  Many league champs including overall points leader Casey Asche (Playmakers, Fargo) couldn't get anything going and fell early in the tournament...

Day 1 ended when the field was left with 2 tables, 20 players.  Michael Fournier (Ralphy's Dickinson) was the chip leader with 70,000 chips.  The luck of the draw put the majority of the chip leaders on table 1, and most of the short stacks on table 2.  Twenty (20) players were left for day 2.  Larry Ristvedt got his money in with AK and it looked great when AK came on the board.  A 10 on the river, however, tripped up Eric Ashton's 10-10 and it was over for Larry.  As it played out, the 10 card seemed to be the "magic card" on several all-in hands. 

After the field was reduced to 10, players & spectators enjoyed a taste of the big spotlight as Mitch Schock (Dakota Poker Tour) gave thunderous introductions of each player and they took their seats at the final table.  The smoke, lights, & music pumped up the crowd and made for a really great show.

When Derek Melicher sat down at the final table, he was 8th in total chips.  Derek caught a Q on the river to take out Marty Doll in an exciting hand that was captured by WDAY Channel 6 and was broadcast on the 10pm news.  Several others players became Derek's victims along the way, in a long battle where the blinds reached 8,000/16,000 by the time we reached a conclusion.  Derek Melicher had a commanding chip lead when it came down to 3 players, with almost 3/4 of the total chips in play.  He finished off his opponents and was crowned the first ever Dakota Poker League champ.  Good luck Derek and we all hope you take home the big prize!