The Main Event of the RPT Casino State Championship ($250 buy-in) at Spirit Lake Casino & Resort in St. Michael once again stood as the festival's showcase – this year, even historically so, as six starting flights generated a record-breaking 1,655 entries and a prizepool soaring to $331,000, the highest number in North Dakota's poker history.
And at the center of this story was a man who had already written a similar chapter. Recreational player Preston Dean returned after more than a decade to the place where big names are measured in North Dakota. Over the past days, he navigated through the entire field, taking home $49,300 and a $10,700 WSOP Main Event package.
When 165 players returned to the tables on the decisive day, it was clear it would be a long marathon – yet one capable of producing a legend. Throughout the day, well-known faces and favorites fell by the wayside; defending champion Jon Maras exited at 52nd place, and the final table didn't form until late in the evening.
Steve Kelly entered the final table with a large stack and seemed poised to claim the title. He racked up eliminations and pressured opponents, but Preston Dean stayed on his heels – patient, calm, as if he knew his moment was yet to come.
Aces Break the Tournament and Kings Seal It
The turning point arrived in a moment that often determines more than hours of meticulous play: a massive cooler. Dean found pocket aces and in a huge hand sent Kamden Keleher and Kim Rasmussen packing – one held queen-ten, the other pocket kings. Suddenly, Dean was in the lead and heads-up play was only a matter of time.
The battle for the title lasted just a few hands, when in the final one, Dean showed kings full – a combination that sealed the championship. Kelly revealed trips and had to settle for second place. For Dean, however, it wasn't just another trophy for the cabinet. After winning the state championship in 2014, he was considered North Dakota's greatest tournament winner – until time and growing tournaments overtook him. Now he has reclaimed his “crown” and added a dream fulfilled: a seat in the WSOP Main Event.
Final Table Results:
| Position | Player | Country | Winnings |
| 1 | Preston Dean | United States | $49,300 + WSOP ME Package |
| 2 | Steve Kelly | United States | $30,000 |
| 3 | Kim Rasmussen | United States | $23,000 |
| 4 | Kamden Keleher | United States | $17,000 |
| 5 | Shane Koenig | United States | $13,000 |
| 6 | Jamie Meidinger | United States | $10,000 |
| 7 | Mitch Hogue | United States | $7,700 |
| 8 | Kyle Shipman | United States | $6,200 |
| 9 | Riley Vareberg | United States | $4,300 |
Sources – PokerNews, roughriderpokertour
