Persistence paid off for Craig Casino, who won the largest first-place prize ever awarded on Heartland Poker Tour at Golden Gates Casino in Black Hawk valued at $292,270.
Submitted by HPT
The aptly-named Craig Casino emerged as the winner out of a record-breaking field of players pursuing Heartland Poker Tour’s largest payout to date, securing the coveted victory with pocket jacks. The ex-cop turned entrepreneur takes $293,270 home to Winfield, Ill., after busting out of the tournament twice.
For the first time in its seven-year history, HPT allowed players to re-enter the Main Event if knocked out in one of four flights at Golden Gates Casino & Poker Parlour. The re-entry option helped to build a prize pool exceeding $1 million, an HPT record.
Champ Craig Casino persisted after two knockouts and found himself severely crippled late in day two. After losing a half million chips in one devastating hand, he mistakenly began to collect his belongings before another player, ESPN.com’s Bernard Lee, alerted Casino he still had two chips left. Within minutes, Casino turned the measly 20,000 in chips into a massive lead and went to the Final Table with nearly 8 million chips.
Mary Flurkey of Golden won $146,633 for second place in the tournament. Photos courtesy of HPT
Casino maintained his chip lead at the TV table, but had a worthy opponent in runner-up Mary Flurkey of Golden. When her ace-eight ran into Casino’s jacks, she missed the opportunity to become HPT’s third female champion. Considering her biggest win to date was $2,500, she was quite satisfied to claim $146,633 in second place.
Greg Lang, one of HPT’s founders, noted the second-place money was greater than the entire prize pool at the tour’s first event in 2005.
“Our first prize pool was $100,000,” he said, “Tonight, we awarded over $1 million. We owe thanks for the support of many dedicated folks along the way.”
Golden Gates VP & General Manager Shannon Keel said, “A one million dollar prize pool is a milestone for both Colorado and the Heartland Poker Tour. Golden Gates Casino and Black Hawk are now on the map of notable places to play poker in the country. We look forward to the next HPT event in the spring of 2012.”
For many players, the chance to elevate their status on national TV is a major advantage to HPT events. The lights and cameras held no appeal for Colorado’s Phil Martin. “I’m not here for the publicity,” the fifth-place finisher said before claiming $57,108, “I’m here for the cash.”
