The Club House Racebook in Albany will host the "Vegas or Bust" state final this weekend. League administrator Pete Bushey (pictured right) will be on hand as tournament director and to emcee all the action! Who are the best players in the state? The top 8 players will earn a seat in the exclusive national final in Las Vegas where twelve (12) seats to bracelet WSOP events will be awarded, including a giant trophy and $10,000 main event seat for the national champ. During the past few months, the New York region has blossomed since the State Liquor Authority's ruling that FREE poker does NOT constitute gambling.

During the Vegas or Bust promotion, a total of 128 players from around the state have qualified for the final at The Club House Racebook. That's quite difference from the very first state final which had only 10 players! The winners this weekend will join two other New Yorkers who have already qualified for nationals, Don Whitley from Highland (previous national qualifier and winner of the "First Chance" bonus tournament in Vegas during the FPN Poker Pro final) and Harry Hull IV from Troy (Scratch Poker winner). Of the 128 qualifiers, 13 players have earned a double stack starting bonus for qualifying for state in both the Fall and Winter quarters...

This past weekend the state of New Jersey gathered together to hold their "Vegas or Bust" state championship at Junction 46 in Ledgewood, NJ.  The top three players all qualified for the "Vegas or Bust" National Championship on Wednesday, July 4th with the overall winner receiving the airfare allowance and hotel stay at Hooters Casino.  The lucky winner was George Kuilich with Tom Schwarz coming in second, and Sal Zurzolo taking third respectively. 

Steve Armstrong recently won the Texas "Vegas or Bust" Championship beating out Scott Goessling for the full trip package which includes airfare allowance and free hotel stay at Hooters Casino.  The final hand summary is as follows:

Scott raised from the small blind pre-flop, Steve called the double the blind raise.  On a flop of 2d, 7d, Qd Steve checked his option and Scott bet half the pot, Steve smooth called.  5s came on the turn which Steve bet enough to put Scott all in.  Scott quick called and turned over two pair Q-7.  Steve tabled the nut flush with A-5d.  The river was a blank eliminating Scott.  Steve eliminated the last four players in the championship.

Scott isn't going away empty handed though as by coming in second place he qualified for the Vegas or Bust National Championship as well.  Coming in third was Brian Hurst who also gets to make the trip for their shots at 1 of 12 seats into this years WSOP.

On Saturday May 5th 282 poker players from the state of MN convened at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, MN.  At stake were 16 spots in the Vegas or Bust National Championship.  The top eight would receive the full package of airfare allowance and hotel stay at Hooters Casino.  The day was filled with plenty of excitement as it only took less than five hands to have the first all-in and a call when John Magnuson from Fergus Falls lost half of his double stack when the flop brought set over set. 

This past weekend players from all over the state of North Dakota gathered to take their chance of qualifying for the "Vegas or Bust" National Championship.  Up for grabs were ten spots with the top five winning the bonus of an airfare allowance and hotel accommodations.  In the end there were ten brand new champions!

Bob Rice - Hooterville Bar, Minot
Daryl Braun - Knights of Columbus, Jamestown
Chris Sanders - M&J Saloon, West Fargo
Lori Fugelstad - Pit Stop, Clifford
Dave Gray - Reza's Pitch, Bismarck
Mark Kaffer - Big Lounge, Beulah (right)
Paul Larson - The Bowler, Fargo (left)
Stuart Paulson - At the Hop, Langdon (middle)
Blake Sandmeier - The Bowler, Fargo (2nd from right)
Ted Bjornstad - Gordy's, Cando (2nd from left)

Carl Humenik (pictured front row, far left) from Langhorn, Pennsylvania took down the Pennsylvania Vegas or Bust State Championship to win his was to the National Championship on July 4th.  Carl will receive airfare allowance and a free hotel stay at Hooters Casino for his victory.  However, Carl is no stranger to the National Championship as he was the Pennsylvania State Champion in the Sin City Showdown promotion as well.  Coming in second was William Gill Jr. who also locked down his spot at the Vegas or Bust National Championship.  Good job guys!