State Poker Championships Underway

After months of anticipation it was time to shuffle up and deal at the 2009 North Dakota State Poker Championship, and everyone was hoping to bring in the grand prize of $35,000.

"I just hope to get good cards and play well," says Canada native Barb Cuthill.

"There are a lot of good poker players in North Dakota, so if they want to get serious at the table we can get serious," says Poker Pro Robert Hainsworth.

On January 1st more than 1,300 people from 32 states and three countries made their way to the Vegas Motel to be a part of the action, a far cry from the 300 people who played in the first tournament in 2004.

"It`s becone a lot like the World Series of Poker, but not as big of course," says Tournament Emcee Mitch Schock.

Schock has seen poker grow throughout the country.

In 2006 he placed 29th in the largest poker event of all time, the 2006 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Tournaments like this aren`t just about getting lucky, its about patience and mental toughness.

"After seven or eight hours at the poker table you`re tired, you`re hungry. It`s a long day," says Schock.

Barb Cuthill has made the trip from Canada to play in four of the five tournaments and has made the event a family affair, playing alongside her husband and two sons.

"They`re all interested in it and they come with us, we`re pretty competitive too," says Cuthill.

Taking home the title will be a daunting task, and the winner will need the perfect storm of skill, luck and most of all patience.

"It`s going to take a lot of luck. Obviously you need to play well, but you`ve got to get good cards," says Minot resident Kellen Hunter.

"For one thing it`s going to take patience, and it`d be nice to have a big stack going into the second day," says Hainsworth.

Most importantly if you have a chip you have a chair, meaning everyone has a chance to walk out $35,000 richer.