As the end of our brutal winter draws near, poker rooms from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest are anticipating an action packed spring, offering players an opportunity to thaw out with some hot tournament action.

Wildhorse Casino located in Pendleton, OR is adding $75,000 and 13 Alaskan cruises to the prize pool of their Spring Poker Round-Up 2009. Events begin on April 15 and run through April 26. This is a very popular annual event with professional, nationwide and local players alike. Please contact tournament director and host Roland Waters at 541.966.1573 or 541.379.7923 for additional information. Watch for the results and news surrounding this exciting event in upcoming issues of Poker Player Newspaper.

Running Aces located in Minneapolis, MN metropolitan area is excited to host the 2009 Celebrity All-Star Poker Tournament March 21. The tournament will be a Texas hold 'em shootout. Celebrities and athletes will include Minnesota's best in sports, media, and entertainment including special invited national artists and athletes. This tournament is organized to bring awareness, encourage volunteerism, and raise crucial funding to select non-profits including the Second Harvest Heartland Food Banks and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Twin Cities.

Player registration is a donation of $200 per seat which includes brunch at 11 a.m. with celebrities, and noon tournament start time. This event is organized by JD Style Group with the assistance of the World Poker Entertainment, and hosts Running Aces Harness Park. For more information and registration visit runningacesharness.com. Please check out their ad in this issue of Poker Player Newspaper.

The Oklahoma State Championships are currently underway at Cherokee Casino located in Tulsa, OK. Poker Player Newspaper wishes the best of luck to all entrants.

Bonnie Demos is a poker player and award winning chef, and has enjoyed working in the gaming industry for the past several years. Write her at bdemos1@wi.rr.com