MINOT, N.D. (AP) Preston Dean of Minot has earned the right to be called North Dakota's poker champion.
Dean last week beat out more than 1,300 people from around the country at the 11th annual North Dakota Texas Hold `em Championship at the Vegas Motel in Minot.
Dean won $50,000. Joann Roerick of Minot finished second, and won $18,000. Sam Fandrich of Golden Valley took third and won $10,000.
The total payout at the tournament was $145,000. The tournament modeled after the annual World Series of Poker also is a charitable event, with profits going toward scholarships for Minot State University marketing students. The MSU Alumni Foundation is a co-sponsor of the event.