Inaugural World Series of Slots Awards $262,000
The first-ever World Series of Slots tournament, held at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino April 17-19, welcomed 280 competitors battling head to head through eight exciting rounds, and gave away a total of $262,000 in prize money.
San Diego resident Michele Leone (pictured left) walked away with the $100,000 grand prize and championship bracelet for her slot victory, followed by Vera Panjanon-Wolf in second place with $15,000, Arsenio Mata in third place winning $10,000 and Lien Phan rounding out the top four with $8,000 in prize money.
Leone said that her and her husband Grant had not really thought about what they will spend the money on, only to say they “were going to relax, let the shock wear off and then make plans.” Mr. Leone added that throughout the competition he thought he was much more nervous than his wife, almost wearing the skin off his hands due to clenching his fists so much.
A guest of the hotel, Leone came to Las Vegas just for the World Series of Slots tournament. She said she was “intrigued by the one-on-one competition.” So were many, based on the larger-than-expected attendance at the event.
“A World Series of Slots has never been done before, and players from all over loved the head-to-head challenge,” said Tilman Fertitta, chief executive officer of the Golden Nugget. “This event was a huge success that we’re sure to repeat in the future.”
Slot players in action
In addition to the big-money top prizes, players not advancing past the first round were eligible for a special $10,000 Bonus Tournament, where each guest played one 20-minute session. Robert Aiu, of Hawaii, won the $10,000 winner-take-all prize pool by hitting triple red sevens in the last five seconds of play, moving his score to the top for the bonus win.
World Series of Slots (WSOS) Bracelet
Cash prizes were awarded for advancing through each round. Participants won $500 for advancing to round two, then an additional $150 for each round, thereafter. Players not advancing to round two received $200, as well as the entry into the bonus tournament. The top four winners received all round-advance winnings plus an additional $8,000 for fourth place, $10,000 for third place, $15,000 for second place and $100,000 for the Grand Prize winner, plus the championship bracelet.
World Series of Slots Prize Structure
1st Place $100,000 + All Round Advance prizes AND championship bracelet
2nd Place $15,000 + All Round Advance Prizes
3rd Place $10,000 + All Round Advance Prizes
4th Place $ 8,000 + All Round Advance Prizes
5th-8th Place $1,100 in Round Advance Prizes
9th-17th Place $950 in Round Advance Prizes
18th-35th Place $800 in Round Advance Prizes
36th-70th Place $650 in Round Advance Prizes
71st-140th Place $500 in Round Advance Prizes
141st+ Place $200 PLUS entry into the $10,000 “Winner-Take-All” Bonus Tournament
For more information on Golden Nugget Las Vegas or other special events, please visit www.goldennugget.com.
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