Texas Hold'em (Limit)

$3,000 Buy-in
Entries: 167
Total Prize Money: $501,000

1995 Champion: Men "Master" Nguyen

1996 Champion: Donny Kerr

• The Winners.
• The Showdown.

1. Donny Kerr                       $200,400
Sugarland, TX
2. Mike Halford                     $100,200
Memphis, TN
3. Noli Francisco                    $50,100
W New York, NJ
4. Joanne "J J" Bortner              $32,565
Palo Alto, CA
5. Al Emerson                        $25,050
Onalaska, WI
6. John Hom                          $17,535
Kentfield, CA
7. T J Cloutier                      $12,525
Dallas, TX
8. David Chew                        $10,020
Cerritos, CA
9. Roger Van Driesen                  $7,515
Titusville, NJ
10. Kassam "Freddie" Deeb             $6,012
Long Beach, CA
11. Huck Seed                         $6,012
Las Vegas, NV
12. Don Pittman                       $6,012
Sapulpa, OK
13. Jack Keller                       $5,010
Sugarloaf Key, FL
14. Robert Turner                     $5,010
Downey, CA
15. Men "The Master" Nguyen           $5,010
Bell Gardens, CA
16. Skip Wilson                       $4,008
West Chester, OH
17. Luis Santoni                      $4,008
Las Vegas, NV
18. Bill Seymour                      $4,008
Liverpool, NY

This is the first World Series of Poker title for Kerr, who exulted, "Its indescribable -- the biggest win of my career. Its just great." A private investigator in Houston, Texas, Kerr has been playing poker for 20 years and has finished in the money in one previous World Series tournament.

Placing second in the Texas Holdem event and winning $100,200 was Mike Halford of Memphis, Tennessee. A 41-year-old recreational player, Halford also finished in the money in the Texas Holdem tournament held April 23 and has cashed in several other major poker competitions. He has played poker for 10 years.

Noli Francisco, a 54-year-old recreational poker player from West New York, New Jersey, won third place and $50,100. This marks the 12th in-the-money finish at the World Series for Francisco, who also has to his credit several titles from other major poker competitions.

Finishing in fourth place for $32,565 was Joanne J.J. Bortner, a 31-year-old professional player from Palo Alto, California, and a poker hostess for Bay 101 Casino in San Jose. This is the highest finish to date for a woman in this years World Series.

The 1996 World Series of Poker continues at the Horseshoe through May 16. The $2,500 buy-in limit Seven Card Stud event begins today at noon, followed by the $2,500 buy-in pot-limit Omaha competition on May 7.

More than 4,000 entrants -- representing at least 20 countries -- are expected to participate in this years World Series, and the total money distributed is anticipated to be in excess of $11 million.

©1996, Binion's Horseshoe. Some portions ©1996, ConJelCo. All Rights Reserved.