HPT / HOOTERS EVENT WON BY SPORTS PRO
Las Vegas, NV -- The first 2007 Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) tournament, kicking-off its third season, was won by Steve McLaughlin, of Philadelphia.
The Las Vegas professional sports bettor went to the Final Table in second money position. He booked himself as a favorite to win the event. 'I checked out my competition online', he said.
An accurate handicapper, the victory brought McLaughlin a $46,011 payoff, plus a $3,000 seat in the HPT Championship at the end of the year. A heavyweight sports bettor, Steve says he actually prefers it to Poker. 'Sports betting is the greater challenge,' he says, 'plus, I can work on it anytime and do it at home.' During the poker action, McLaughlin excused himself several times to make bets as big as six figures.
The Heartland Poker Tour and Hooters Casino/Hotel were honored to have several well known names in the game participate in the season opener. Card Player Magazine was well represented. Publisher Barry Shulman and his beautiful wife Allyn, as well as Managing Editor Bob Pajich, played in the HPT event.
Poker pro Todd Brunson thrilled players with his presence. Another pro player, Chris Bonita, got to the Final Table with the chip lead. Heads-up with Steve McLaughlin, Chris couldn't quite catch the right cards at the right moment and had to settle for 2nd Place and $23,006.
Bruce Knee, who placed in the money in a previous HPT tournament last year, got a good start on '07. He took 3rd Place for $14,789. Tim Singleton won a $100 satellite to get to the Championship event where he took 4th Place for $11.503.
Matt Lessinger, the only previous HPT Championship winner (Chukchansi Gold Resort, CA) a few months ago, starts off the new year with a 5th Place finish and $9,860. Matt is also of Book of Bluffs: How to Bluff and Win at Poker.
Knocked-out in the first hand at the Final Table, local resident David Gorman is owner of Star Loan Centers in Las Vegas. For 6th Place, he received $8,216.
The Heartland Poker Tour 2007 series will hold its next event March 1-4 at the Lucky Nugget Casino, in Deadwood, SD. The series will begin airing with the new television season in September.
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