SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY, Ariz. (Sept. 16, 2009) – Lady luck shined down on a part-time Apache Junction resident as she became the new champion of Casino Arizona’s fourth annual Arizona State Ladies Poker Tournament on Sept. 12. Judith Bernstein, 72, won the No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament at the Casino Arizona 101 & Salt River location. As the new champion, she took home $20,209, a gold championship bracelet and a trophy.  

“More and more women are being attracted to the game of poker, which is evident by the caliber of players that we see each and every day at Casino Arizona,” said Kent Odekirk, director of poker for Casino Arizona. “The Arizona State Ladies Poker Tournament gives these talented ladies a forum to showcase their skills.”

Play commenced at the Arizona State Ladies Poker Tournament at 9 a.m. with more than 200 ladies competing for the $123,750 prize pool. The final table lasted for more than two hours until Bernstein was crowned as champion. Out of the prize pool, second place winner Jennifer Shia of Casa Grande received $11,228 and a trophy, third place winner and Nebraska resident, Elizabeth Montizanti took home $5,614 and a trophy, and the top 30 players were awarded cash prizes.

“We expect the success of the Arizona State Ladies Poker Tournament to continue and grow as Casino Arizona grows. Our new poker room at Talking Stick Resort will allow us to plan for bigger and better action in the New Year,” said Odekirk.

In early 2010, the poker room at Casino Arizona at Salt River will move to its new location at Talking Stick Resort. Currently, under construction, the new Casino Arizona at Talking Stick Resort will be comprised of more than 240,000 square feet of gaming including more than 100 poker and blackjack tables, more than 998 multi-denominational slots and keno.