GARY , IN -- More powerful than a speeding locomotive, able to fend off hostile attacks and conquer hundreds of opponents using only his hands - it's ZOGMAN!

Dan Zogman, was invincible. He ran a $100 buy-in satellite victory into $227,811 and First Place in the record-setting Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) tournament Monday, July 30, at the Majestic Star Casino, in Gary , Indiana . The 47-year-old Home Depot employee conquered 421 players to claim the championship event.

"This is incredible!" declared Zogman, "Winning a Heartland event has been my goal ever since I learned about the tournaments. We've already booked our trip to the next HPT event in Minnesota ."

The championship final table, filmed for TV, began Monday at 1pm. Zogman's chip total was in the middle range. His wife sat off to the side and relayed the blow-by-blow action to friends and family back home.

"Dan Zogman epitomizes what the Heartland Poker Tour is all about," declared Producer Todd Anderson, "The HPT was created for poker players in local casinos and neighborhood card rooms around the country. Like the Minor Leagues, it was designed and developed to give players everywhere a chance to make the Big Time."

Convinced a lot of local players would like a shot at stardom, Heartland keeps the cost of entry within the reach of most people. Consequently, because there are so many participants the prize money is exciting. Add an audience, lights and TV cameras, and players in the Championship feel like they're competing at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas .

Heartland's tremendous success and popularity indicates it offers just the kind of challenge a great many players are seeking. The HPT event at the Majestic Star Casino set historic new records for numbers of participants and prize money. The $400+50 qualifiers attract almost 1,500 players. The 3-day championship event saw 422 compete for $816, 612 in prize money!

"We were overwhelmed," reports Dom Niro, Majestic Star Poker Manager, "The turn-out for this event was phenonmenal!" Niro says they will have to find more room before the HPT returns in December to end the 2007 season.

The Heartland Poker Tour travels next to the Grand Casino Mille Lacs, in Minnesota . For a complete schedule of Heartland Poker Tour tournaments, as well as past events, winners and prize money, go to: www.heartlandpokertour.com