The Small Town Poker Tour kicked of its season in Monroe, Louisiana. Brandon Parker outlasted almost 300 players to claim the first place trophy and $3000 Visa Gift Card and a seat at the STPT World Amateur Championships. Players from all over the south came to the Atrium Hotel to play in this two day event. “We had players from Arkansas, Alabama, Texas and many other states, I was really happy with the turnout” stated Mark Fracalossi STPT Executive Producer. Day one finished with 105 players making it to the main event.

The field had less than ten women but remarkably two women made the final table of ten. Michelle Rison finished 3rd “It was my first live tournament ever I am so excited”, she said. The other to female was Debbie Goodwin. She finished 8th Despite the competition and the Chemo Therapy she is going through, Debbie persevered. “Debbie is what the STPT is all about, dealing with her own personal battle, yet she still made time to come out and support a charity, “Fracalossi added.
The second chance event was won by John Nowell, who bested 101 players and also won a seat at the STPT Championships and a Visa Gift card for his efforts.

The event benefited Uniformed Officers of Ouachita Parish. “I was very impressed by the turnout of volunteers we had from the Uniformed Officers of Ouachita Parish, they helped make it a success” Fracalossi added.

The Small Town Poker Tour travels the world in search of the world’s best amateur poker players and helps charities use poker as a tool to raise funds and create awareness of their causes. The season ends in Las Vegas with The Small Town Poker Tour World Amateur Championships, an event open to all amateur players from around the world. The Small Town Poker Tour events are being filmed for a television special.


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