TULSA, OK -- By every measure the recently concluded 2007 "Scotty Nguyen Challenge" has become a major national poker tournament and coveted title.

From May 17 - 30, tournament events attracted 5,000 participants and more than $1.5 million in prize money, making it the largest and richest poker competition in the Mid-West and Gulf region of the U.S. Prize money winners represented 19 states, including 6 states among the 9 players at the Final Championship table.

Not only is the Scotty Nguyen Challenge drawing numbers, its attracting names. Poker stars attending the tournament included, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Mike Matusow, Todd Brunson, Tony Cousineau, Clonie Gowan, Nam Le, and this year's winner of the $5,000 Championship, "Kido" Pham.

Among the featured event winners were Chuck Thompson, Casino Host of the Bay 101 Casino, in San Jose, California. He collected $34,449 for 1st Place in a $300 No-Limit Hold'em contest that attracted 390 participants. Chuck later suffered a stunning bad-beat in the Champions' Challenge event when he ran made full-house into quad-Aces, as the board came runner-runner.

Jan Fisher, POKER PLAYER columnist, captured the Ladies' No-Limit event for $5,787. A large field of 195 women played in the $100+20 buy-in event. Jan and her business partner, Linda Johnson, conducted a WPT "Boot Camp" for the women earlier that day.

A definite new comer with a bright future in poker is Dena Leath. She just turned pro, celebrated her decision by winning the $1000+70 No-Limit Hold'em event against 185 tough players to collect $58,918. It's her 3 final table appearance in 9 tournament events since turning pro. Dena's win qualified her to play in the tournament's Champions event for a seat in the WSOP and she won it as well!

But the 2007 Scotty Nguyen Challenge belonged to "Kido" Pham, of Dallas, Texas. When the last six players took their seats for the conclusion of the Championship event, "Kido" Pham was the leader with about half of the total chips on the table. Closest to him was Nam Le, last year's champion, hoping to repeat.

Eventually, Kido Pham's dominate chip advantage and his poker acumen prevailed. Kido won the event, collecting a handsome gold bracelet and $176,359. Kido praised the Cherokee Casino for an outstanding tournament.

"The events were well organized, game structures were perfect, and all the players have especially well treated," Pham told the audience and press. He predicted, "Next time, this tournament will be even bigger than this record-setting year.

In just its third year, the Scotty Nguyen poker tournament again set new attendance and prize money records. "We've grown bigger and better each year," reports Director of Poker & Table Games, Rick O' Connell, "All our numbers are up about 30% over last year'."

The Cherokee Casino, outside Tulsa, is a world class resort by any measure. What's more, few poker rooms in the country are as sophisticated or as integrated into the operation of the entire property.

"Poker is a dynamic marketing tool," declares O'Connell, "That's why we've coordinated the program with the Cherokee Casino in West Siloam (19 tables) and the one in Roland (13 tables)."

With a 36-table poker room, a fine hotel, dining, and big name entertainment, the Cherokee Casino is able to hold major league tournaments. Poker Manager Jimmie Sims oversees an active schedule, including the "Oklahoma Johnny Hale Tournament", the "Ozark Poker Championship" and a variety of weekly contests.

For tournament results visit:
2007 Scotty Nguyen Challenge Poker Tournament Results

See Also: Cherokee Casino

Photo by: Flipchip / LasVegasVegas.com