Mike Schneider, a 22 year old American, won the Party Poker Millions V tournament and walked away with the $1 million first prize.  The final 6 players of the 528 starters, began play at the final table at 2pm EST aboard the Holland America Lines ship Westerdam.  The final 6, all American males, included Kenna James, Drew Chitiea, Scott Buller, Richard Joel and Devon Miller.  Miller was the short stack going into today’s play and was knocked out within the first few hands.

Richard Joel went All-In with pocket 8s on the turn, but lost to Drew Chitiea who drew a 2nd King on the river. Joel finished 5th winning $250,000.  Chitea in turn went down to Kenna James, when he went All-In with Q-10, but lost to James 3 kings, finishing 4th. Scott Buller finished 3rd winning $500,000, when his All-In was called and won by Kenna James.  James, is reported to have not had “the cards” throughout the day, when he lost when he was Blinded “All-In”, giving the 22 year old from Minnesota the big win.

Mike Schneider’s contingent of over a dozen, loud and loyal friends cheered him on. These same friends spent much of wednesday night hooping and hollering about how their friend was going win it all.  Schneider sat there, throughout the evening, listening, contemplating, but not saying much at all. Whether just his personality or his game face, Schneider brought the same, quiet determination to the table and walked away a winner.

I guess student loans won’t be a problem for this “Man from Minnesota”.  I never came up against Mike and am grateful. As the 5th Party Poker Millions final ended, it was clear that another exciting tournament had pleased almost all those who had entered.

Personally, I met a lot of great players and nice people in the tournament. Despite my sloppy play (mainly from lack of sleep) the vast majority of players, though tough competitors, are just nice, friendly people.

Finally one word about www.CardPlayerCruises.com: Excellent. Linda Johnson and her staff of dealers and floor people have kept dozens of tournament and money game tables going nearly 24 hours a day.  These folks are not just top professionals, but friendly, helpful and on top their game.  Look for the finals on TV soon, but when you see David Lamb announcing from Table side, realize that he was not just announcer, but the tournament director and a man who is a true poker professional in Reno and a regular member of the team that runs the WSOP every year in Las Vegas.

We’ll I’m off looking for some dead money…..and hoping that it’s not sitting in MY pocket.

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