AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker TITLE: Poker Amateur Pockets $1 Million DATE: 10:41 AM ----- BODY: Poker amateur Rodel Tuazon from Iowa has emerged $1 Million richer following
his winner-takes-all triumph in the Mansion Poker Dome Challenge. Tuazon
outlasted five tough competitors in the battle for the Mansion Poker Dome's
first prize, proving himself the best man on the day in the most innovative
and sophisticated twist on televised Texas Hold'em yet. Less than 24-hours
after taking down the pot of his life, Tuazon, a 40 year old mortgage clerk
from downtown Des Moines, swapped his previous day's 'best man' role for
that of 'groom'. Tuazon made his second 'winning hand' in as many days,
walking fiancée Manisone Douglas down the aisle - a fitting finale to a
perfect Vegas weekend for Poker's newest millionaire. Take your shot at
online poker stardom with our recommended Online Poker rooms. On Saturday
March 17, when the six final qualifiers entered the Poker Dome, "part game
show, part gladiators arena", they knew the drill well, having already waded
their way through two previous six-handed qualifying rounds to make the cut.
This time around, the players were painfully aware that the all-ins and
fold-em decisions would be better, the competition generally tougher, and
the atmosphere more intense. Almost a year in the making, a one-in-six shot
at the $1,000,000 prize, and the spotlight game of Mansion Speed Poker
affording players a mere 15 seconds to act, the series always promised an
edge-of-your seat climax, and it didn't disappoint. For the players, the
stakes were high and heart-rates soared accordingly. The field consisted of
two pro players:
28 year-old Rob Sherwood from Manchester in the UK 58 year-old Dennis
Waterman from Sedona, Arizona and four amateurs, including Tuazon and three
other 'regular guys' of varying experience 35 year-old Andrew Rogers from
Montgomery, Minnesota - Poker tournament host 36 year-old Jerry Schrader
from Woodbridge, Virginia - Locksmith 29 year-old Ben Ludwig from
Collegeville, Pennsylvania - Investment broker Schrader's hopes were dashed
early in the piece. On a Flop of 9s-Ad-Ks, Schrader made his move with
Ah-6h, but Waterman had him trapped with As-Jc. No luck came on the turn or
the river, and Schrader knew he would be back at work on Monday.

Waterman dominated play for much of the day, also taking out fifth placed
Rogers, while also significantly crippling Ludwig's chipstack before fellow
pro player Sherwood finished the job for him.

Down to three-handed play and the well-credentialed pro Waterman was calling
all the shots. Sherwood, the only non-US player to reach the final, had done
a fine job of playing short stacked for much of the event, but was
eventually eliminated on hand 121 when his Qd-6d ran into Tuazon's Ad-6h.

Heads-up saw amateur Tuazon skilfully rise to the challenge, teaching a few
new tricks to eventual runner-up Waterman, whose 20 year Poker career had
him enter the field as clear odds on favourite.

The million-dollar question of just who would be crowned MANSIONPOKER's king
of the cards was about to be answered.

In a fabulous David and Goliath turn of fate, Tuazon, who got hooked on
Poker less than three years ago, showed his strength when it counted.
Waterman had him out chipped 198,000 to 102,000, but after a few hands,
Tuazon had managed to scrape up the chip lead, edging ahead with 153,000
versus 147,000.

On the final hand, Waterman opened the betting with a raise, and Tuazon
looked down, and found 9h-9c. Tuazon re-raised all in, and Waterman had a
tough decision. Waterman took his maximum time, but ultimately decided to
call with 10s- 7s. The flop held a 9. Tuazon had flopped a set. The flop
also held a Jack, meaning Waterman actually had live outs for the win (any
8). The turn was a six, and the river was a four and we had our winner.

After a titanic struggle, the 40 year-old Tuazon was crowned the
MANSIONPOKER Poker Dome Champion, pocketing the winner-takes-all $1,000,000
purse, and watched by a prime time national audience across the United
States on a leading regional sports network. --------