Tens of thousands won at Seagulls
IT WAS serious business at Seagulls Club last week when an intense four-day Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament was held.
World Poker Player Tour president Serge Mazza said although they did not reach the $300,000 prize pool there was still a good turn out.
"About 60 people came and the buy-in was $1100," he said.
"Less people came because the buy-in was too small."
From Monday last week people could compete in side games to bypass the $1100 buy in.
The actual tournament started on Thursday morning and concluded Sunday night.
"It was intense," Mr Mazza said.
The tournament, a gruelling four days of competition, went well into Sunday night because the final table were not willing to split their hard-earned cash.
First place prize winner Nicholas Schlie left with a nice $14,500 in his pocket after eventually splitting his winnings with second place winner Thomas Wing who left with $13,000.
Eric Sclavos came third walking a way with a cool $11,500.
"Everybody was happy and it was a good opportunity for people in the area to play," Mr Mazzza said.
"Poker is really big in Melbourne and Sydney so I'm trying to make it bigger here."
Seagull's Mangrove Restaurant owner Marco Cenfi said the event was a great tourism booster for Tweed Heads area.
"It attracted a lot of visitors," he said.
"We had people here from Indonesia and Asia.
"It was a good turn out."
In December another poker tournament will be held at Seagulls. A date has yet to be confirmed but for more information contact Seagulls on 07 5587 9000.
