Heartland Poker Tour Ends with Record Prize Awarded

The Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Indiana was the backdrop for the Heartland Poker Tour Championship Open. More than one thousand players signed up to play in the event and created the largest prize pool in the tournaments history at $835,200.

The lucky first place winner would receive $233,016 another first in the Heartland Poker Tour history. The winner was retired engineer, Leon Morford. He is known for ride out the ups and downs of a tournament and because of this his friends call him Sailor. He proved his nickname to be true in this tournament when he went in to the final table with the chip lead only to almost go out in fourth place. But he rode it out and succeeded.

"I just rode the wave," Morford said "I look at tournament poker as riding a wave, you have to be able to ride it out." Many players had turned out for the event. Heartland Poker Tour champions from the past year were in attendance as well as everyday folks. Tom Stambaugh finished in fifth place and he was playing on a freeroll.

Next February the Heartland Poker Tour will start back up in Minnesota at the Grand Casino Lacs. Greg Lang, the Heartland Poker Tour founder has reflected on the past year: "It's been a phenomenal year, we've awarded several million dollars in prize money and met some great people along the way. We're looking forward to an even better 2008."

Final tournament standings:

1st Leon Morford Rockford, Ill. $233,016
2nd Christopher Brand Okauchee, Wis. $116,508
3rd Jason Glass Buffalo Grove, Ill. $74,898
4th Richard McMahan Chicago $56,174
5th Tom Stambaugh Nevis, Minn. $45,771
6th Nicholas Woolworth Plainfield, Ill. $39,530