The North Dakota championship for Fall Spectacular wrapped up on Saturday at Westside Grill & Bar in Mandan, ND. 

In the end, 6 national qualifiers were awarded trips to Las Vegas to compete in the National Final coming up in April at Caeser's Palace.   

The winners are (pictured left to right): Mike Goldade (Sportsmans Lounge-Mandan), Lance Zietz (Rugby Eagles), Wade Kyser (Bowler-Fargo), Lois Kihne (Silver Dollar-Mandan), Bob Haas (Lonesome Dove-Mandan), and David Delaplane (Seibs-Elgin). 

Considering the winter weather advisory with icy roads and light snow falling, the turnout of 126 out of 159 qualifiers was not bad.  Players made the trip from all corners of the state and the tournament got started at about 15 minutes after twelve noon.  

A special thanks goes to all the last-minute volunteer dealers and help loading in tables from players and spectators alike.  Once the tournament began, the action was fast and furious.  The first two players who busted in the tournament both had their pocket Aces cracked.  

After the dinner break, an entertaining "Tag-Team-Rebuy" $200 freeroll made things interesting on the side.  Players were allowed to team up with a partner, and each team had one "Rebuy Ticket".  When a team busted, they could present the rebuy ticket for a new stack of chips.  Players took turns at every level (15 minutes).  The Tag Team event wrapped up right about the same time the main tournament finished, perfect timing for the DJ who had the bar dancing all night following the tournament.

Darcy Smith (T's Shamrock-Casselton) was the bubble-boy, taking an unfortunate bad beat.  Darcy held pocket Queens to chip leader Wade Kyser's A-K when all the chips got in the pot.  It looked good for Darcy when the turn card was a Queen, giving him trips, but Wade finished him off when a Ten hit the river for the broadway straight!

Art Zieman (Bismarck VFW) made yet another final table only to come up short (8th place).  This was Art's 3rd final table in a North Dakota championship event! 

Overall the tournament was a success and the league would like to thank all the players who participated in the Fall Poker Spectacular contest.  There is still one more qualifier (online) left.  All state participants received a BONUS gamecard for a last-chance qualifier.  Good luck and congratulations to the winners, we'll see you in Vegas!!!

Here is the top 20:

1st through 6th all win vacation package to Las Vegas:

Wade Kyser, Bowler FargoLois Kihne, Silver Dollar, Mandan
David Delaplane, Seib's Elgin
Lance Zietz, Eagles Rugby
Mike Goldade, Sportsmans Lounge
Bob Haas, Lonesome Dove Mandan

Rest of top 20:
Darcy Smith, T's Shamrock Casselton
Art Zieman, Bismarck VFW
Tyler Kranz, Country Pub Fargo
Chad Weldon, Lonesome Dove Mandan
Mike Marak, Bucks Grand Forks
Vince Biesot, Champs Dickinson
Davide Hokanson, Million Dollar Lanes Williston
John Woroniecki, Brick City Hebron
Mike Fisk, Westside Bar & Grill Mandan
Dennis Carter, Seib's Elgin
Jackie Bius, Last Call Mandan
Doug Sundquist, Buck's Grand Forks
Thomas Eagle Staff, Silver Dollar Mandan
John Sayler, Bismarck VFW

Additional photos will be uploaded to Facebook, be sure to tag yourself or anyone you know!