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James Gargan took out the top prize of $2000 after winning the inaugural Freezeout Texas Hold'em tournament held in New Plymouth on Saturday.
Keen interest from poker players means a new tournament is likely to become a regular fixture on New Plymouth's social calendar.
On Saturday, theFreezeoutTexas Hold'emtournament was a sell-out, with 32 people signing up to compete for a prize pool totalling $5000.
Organiser Damian Gould said there had been a "fantastic" response to the first tournamentand there was already a waitinglist for the next one, which is planned for Marchand then monthly thereafter.
"It went off without a hitch."
LIAM COURTENAY/STUFF
The Freezeout Texas Hold'em tournament is set to become a regular event after selling out on Saturday. Hwera's Karen Angell, fourth from the left, was the only female competitor.
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James Gargan, from Omata, was crowned winner of the inaugural competiton, taking home the $2000 prize.
JasonWathallclaimed second spotnetting $1350, while the only female competitor out of the 32 entrants, Karen Angell, placed third and tookhome $850.
LIAM COURTENAY/STUFF
Mark Lahood, of New Plymouth, didn't given anything away as he played his hand.
Each of the32 players paid the$175 buy-in for the tournament, which was held at theNew Plymouth Club.
Gould came up with the tournament idea as he andsome friends had beenlooking for somewhere to play since returningto New Plymouth after a stint living inAustralia.
ANDY JACKSON/STUFF
Poker tournament organiser Damian Gould says Saturday's competition went off without a hitch. (File photo)
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