Hal Kirkpatrick Wins Oklahoma No-Limit Championship

Tulsa, OK - The 2007 Oklahoma State Poker Champion is Hal Kirkpatrick, of Stillwell. The retired salesman won the $3,000+100 No-Limit Championship Monday, February 12, at the Cherokee Casino.

For his victory, Kirkpatrick collected $124, 410 for 1st Place. In addition, he received a handsome diamond ring and a seat into the WPT Champions’ tournament. 'I need this to pay for my daughter’s wedding,' Kirkpatrick beamed.

One hundred and thirty players entered the State Championship event Sunday, February 11. When the field was reduced to six remaining players the action stopped. The Final Table of six resumed Monday at high noon. The Final Table action was filmed for television and will be shown on Cox TV affiliates in April.

Kirkpatrick, a much decorated poker veteran having cashed high in several major tournaments and sat at more than 100 online poker final tables. 'I’ve played poker all my life and all over the country,' the Champ said, 'for more than 35 years.' He added, 'I consider the poker program here to be tops in the country. No where are players treated better.'

On hand for the Championship was the 'First Lady of Poker', Linda Johnson, Hosts and WSOP champions Scotty Nguyen and Berry Johnston, and Associate Editor of POKER PLAYER Newspaper, Byron Liggett.