First Champion of 2009 Heartland Poker Tour Crowned

Sean Saninikone Wins $127,404 at First Event of the HPT Season 5

On February 8, the first champion of the Heartland Poker Tour was crowned at the Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Oklahoma. Sean Saninikone took the top prize of $127,404 after he defeated at field of more than 450 poker players at the $1,000 Main Event. Saninikone, a factory worker, is looking at being laid off from his job and was thrilled to reach the final table.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time for me and my family,” said Saninikone.
One of the longest final tables in HPT history, it will air as episodes 99 and 100. Here are the final table results.
1: Sean Saninikone -- $127,404
2: James Jennings -- $63,702
3: Matt Newcombe -- $38,221
4: Chad Long -- $29,728
5: Daniel Haley -- $25,481
6: George Miller -- $21,234
A record number of players came out for the first ever event held at the Downstream Casino this 5th season of the HPT. A total of 457 played in the event.

“We saw that the people of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas are serious about their poker. We’d never been to this area so we weren’t sure of the outcome. Having over 450 players was unbelievable for a first-time venue,” said HPT co-founder Todd Anderson.

The event in Oklahoma was the first stop on the schedule of 18 events that are lined up for 2009.

The schedule for this years Heartland Poker Tour is as follows:

Grand Casino Mille Lacs (Onamia, MN): Feb. 15-22
Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall (Deadwood, SD): Mar. 7-15
Golden Gates Casino (Blackhawk, CO): Mar. 20-Apr. 5
Meskwaki Bingo Hotel Casino (Tama, IA): Mar. 22-29
Majestic Star Casinos (Gary, IN): Apr. 15-27
Northern Lights Casino (Walker, MN): May 25-31
Turning Stone Resort & Casino (Verona, NY): June 22-29
Golden Gates Casino: July 6-19
Majestic Star Casinos: July 29-Aug. 3
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort (Mount Pleasant, MI): Aug. 14-24
Grand Casino Mille Lacs: Sept. 13-20
Golden Gates Casino: Sept. 18-Oct. 4
Location TBA: Oct. 11-19
Shooting Star Casino (Mahnomen, MN): Oct. 26-Nov. 1
Meskwaki Bingo Hotel Casino: Nov. 1-8
Downstream Casino (Quapaw, OK): Nov. 9-16
Location TBA: Nov. 12-23

News Added: 13 February, 2009

Number of views : 1123