Poker Round-Up pays out $222K

Published 6:39 am Thursday, July 22, 2010

PENDLETON – Wildhorse Resort and Casino’s biannual Poker Round-Up concluded Sunday, July 18 after paying out $222,750 in five events.

The tournament drew 1,269 competitors from places like Weberstedt, Germany, Jackpot, Nev., and even the mecca of gaming, Las Vegas.

The majority of the contestants were from the Northwest and Walla Walla, the Tri-Cities, Portland and Boise were well represented on the winners list.

Just one Umatilla County resident made it to the money, though. Mission’s Wilfred Cyr placed ninth in Event No. 3, a no-limit Texas Hold ’em game featuring 301 entrants vying for a share of $48,150.

Cyr pocketed $1,778 for his $150 entry fee.

Ernie Dolan of Vancouver, Wash., won the event for $9,587 and the tournament’s furthest travelled contestant, Christian Leinos of Germany, was second for $7,326.

Leinos also was eighth in Event No. 2 to bring his tournament winnings to $8,466.

Arlington’s Brian Eubanks won Event No. 2, a limit Hold ’em game, for $5,472.

Oregon’s only other event winner came in the big one.

Seaside’s Chris Gillespie won $13,578, beating out 344 other players in the $72,000 Event No. 4 no limit Hold ’em.

Seattle’s Leah Culler won Event No. 1 (no limit) for $7,738 and Bruce Peterson of Kimberly, Idaho, won Event No. 5 (no limit) for $7,886.