In this new "Strip Poker" series, Card Player covers the Las Vegas poker scene – on the Strip and around the city.
The Imperial Palace Casino, on the famous Las Vegas Strip, gave back to its poker players by holding The Player's Championship, a $500 buy-in no-limit hold'em tournament with no casino cut taken out of the prize pool.
Mick Kokkler, from Oregon received a rake-free $19,600 for first place after he defeated Ilias Anastasi from Greece heads up. There were 98 entrants and the final table paid the following places:
- Mick Kokkeler $19,600
- Ilias Anastasi $9,800
- Lonnie Anderson $4,900
- Tom Huff $3,430
- Allan Winston $2,940
- Kelley Derks $2,450
- Rick Cooper $1,960
- Jerry Ramsay $1,470
- David Wilcox $1,102
- Richard Eisaman $735
Although the final table received most of the prize pool, four "lucky losers" were also paid a consolation prize. Before final table play began, there was a raffle for all competitors who were no longer competing. Four names were drawn to receive a small percentage of the prize pool. They each received $125.
For more information on the poker room at Imperial Palace, call 702-731-3311.
