It was Carlos Sablan’s first time to join the event.
Second prize winner Thomas Pfahler from Guam, another first timer, bagged $1,320, while Hari Budhatoki, a regular participant from Tinian, won the $440 third prize.
Tinian Dynasty marketing and promotions manager Chell Funtanar said due to the short notice and short time for preparations, they only got a handful of players to participate in the tournament which was held during the celebration of the San Jose fiesta.
“The poker tournament was originally scheduled for May 14 so we could have gotten more participation but we decided to have it during the fiesta,” Funtanar said.
She said the tournament started with 22 players — four from Guam, seven from Tinian, four from Saipan and seven from Japan and Korea.
Funtanar said only two of the players were females, one of whom was eliminated during the first round.
The entry fee was $220 per player.
“Overall, it was still a successful tournament,” Funtanar said. Dynasty’s next major event will be the blackjack tournament on June 11 and 12.
For more information, call the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino at 328-2233 or fax 328-1133.
