Player -Seat - Chips 1. O’Neil Longson 23-1 $43,575 2. Barney Boatman 23-2 $38,300 3. Jeff Slack 24-3 $38,025 4. Joe Beevers 23-9 $35,350 5. Jesse Jones 23-3 $34,700 6. James Bechtel, Jr 23-4 $32,000 7. Don Barton 24-8 $28,025 8. Ned Cruey 23-7 $25,800 9. Thor Hanson 23-8 $19,400 10. Cary Katz 24-7 $18,175 11. Larry Wright 23-6 $17,225 12. Max Pescotori 24-5 $15,225 13. Kirk Conrad 23-5 $12,850 14. Russ Hamilton 24-9 $12,575 15. Arturo Diaz 24-1 $7,800 16. Wayne Haynes 24-6 $5,575 17. Dale Phillips 24-2 $4,800

$5,000 Main Event Day 1

The $5,000 Main Event at the Four Queens kicked off today with some of the top names in poker vying for more than $189,000 in prize money.

Each player received $5,000 in chips with another $5,000 available to them at anytime during the first three levels.

Some started with the full $10,000 and others used a different tournament strategy and waited until they were broke.

Among the top names in poker that bellied up to the poker table today were, 1994 World Series of Poker Champion, Russ Hamiltion who literally won his weight in Silver at the 25th Anniversary of the WSOP.

Two-time WSOP bracelet winner, Thor Hanson was in action, along with O�Neil Longson who admits he won a couple of small ones, not sure if he was referring to his wrists or the size of the tournament.

WSOP Champion, Jim Bechtel was witnessed sweating his son, James Bechtel, Jr. and looking pretty proud.

Today�s tournament ended at 8:10 p.m. with 17 players remaining. Play will resume tomorrow at noon.

The final five players will finish in the money with 1st place taking home $75,660, 2nd will receive $47,290, 3rd will pocket $28,370, 4th will take home $20,805, and 5th will add $17,025 to his bankroll.

Tournament Producer, Bonnie Damiano would like to thank her top notch staff, beginning with the day time crew, Tournament Director, Dave Lamb, Assistant Tournament Directors, Jody Ivener, and Steve Morgan.

The evening crew was as experienced as the day staff with Jimmy Sommerfeld at the helm, assisted by Janis Sexton, Robert Thompson, II, and Roland Waters.

Thanks also go out to the registration ladies, Rosanne Wright, Patty Kirkpatrick, Judy Ragland, Lonnie Grasso, and Sue Byrd.

And a very special thanks to ALL the dealers, day satellite director Margie Fasold, tournament assistants, Cathy Sloan, Cheryl Chervitz, Leslie Schindler and Dealer Coordinator, Lesley Buchanan and Richard Kilham.

Bonnie would also like to extend a very big thank you to all the players that took part in this years Four Queens Poker Classic and she hopes to see you in St. Maarten.

By Debbie Burkhead

2004 4 Queens Poker Classic