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BELFAST RESIDENT WINS ALLEGANY HILLSIDE POKER CLASSIC TOURNAMENT

Salamanca, NY, February 2005 - Brett Ellsessor of Belfast, NY, beat out 478 other contenders in Seneca Allegany Casino's first Allegany Hillside Poker Classic on Sunday, January 30. He took home $26,044 from the one-day No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournament.

For a $225 buy-in, each player received $1,500 in tournament chips. The games began at noon and each Poker round took approximately 30 minutes. The winner from each game went on to play in the final round. Cash prizes were awarded to the top 30 players. The other top four winners are:

• 2nd - Jeffrey Wilfonb of Ashtabula, OH, $15,320
• 3rd - David Ferringin of Brookville, PA, $9,958
• 4th - Craig Humkele of Allison Park, PA, $5,500

The original prize pot of $60,000 was increased to $92,800 because of the number of players that registered. The Casino was expecting about 300 participants and nearly 500 showed up.

The Casino decided to host a "second chance" event at the last minute since there were so many players. Ninety-two players vied for nine slices in a pot of $8,900. The first place "second chance" winner, Jim DuPont of Carlton, PA, walked away with $3,026.

Seneca Allegany Casino features Vegas-style gaming and a Poker Room. The Casino's 122,000 square feet includes a main gaming floor with table games including Blackjack, Craps, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride� and 3 Card Poker, more than 1,800 reel-spinning and video slot machines, two snack bars, Thunder Mountain Buffet, Eight Clans Gift Shop, live weekend entertainment and a Bus Lobby. The Casino also offers free valet and self-parking and complimentary beverages while gaming. The Casino is owned and operated by the Seneca Nation of Indians.