Luck Is A Lady In Grand Blackjack

Mika Kile, a pharmacist from Winona, MO, knows how to mix ingredients and she came up with the right concoction to win the $100,000 first prize in the recent $150,000 blackjack tournament at Grand Casino, Tunica. It was her first blackjack tournament and she outlasted 211 competitors for the top money.

" I have a huge outstanding student loan and thought that maybe if I could win this tournament it would take care of that. Thus it was a big disappointment when I failed to qualify," she said. But that disappointment turned quickly to joy when on the morning of the finals, her name was picked out of bowl for a wild card seat on the final table.

"Inside my nerves were jangling but outside I had my poker face on," she said. And she did indeed play with an outer calmness as she built up an early chip lead over her six cautious opponents. Just before the 24th hand was dealt, with only one remaining, her façade appeared to crack under the strain when she realized she might win the top money. She looked like she was ready to faint but then pulled herself together and cruised home under control.

Some $60,000 of the purse she has earmarked for paying off her loan. The $100,000 was the largest amount ever designated for first place in any blackjack event ever held in the Southeast. It was another successful event for Grand under tournament director Rob Winkler and his staff. In addition to the 211 players registered, another 91 made re-buys at $250. The two capable dealers on the final table where Mely Paulino and Tommy Wablington.

Heard it on the River is published courtesy of Jackpot Magazine, the South's leading gaming newspaper.