Bigfus Wins 2010 MPT "Rising Star" Award

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - In 2008, she cashed in seven out of eight events, led the money list, and finished five points away from winning the Sealy Cup, but Bigfus was not yet a "star". The following year saw her finally break through and win her first MPT tournament, but Bigfus followed that win in the season's opening event with a streak of six straight out of the money finishes. 2010 was to be an important year in establishing Bigfus' MPT career.

For the second year in a row, Bigfus won the opening event, but this season she followed that result up with a second place in the season's second event and cashes in five of the last six events. Two wins, four runner-up finishes, a Player of the Year title, while breaking the all-time records for money won and points earned in a single season, not to mention that all-time lead in cashes, points, and earnings, proved that Bigfus is and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the MPT circuit. She has finally earned her place as one of the true starts of the Mattress Poker Tour.

Sass wins 2009 MPT “Rising Star” award

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - The 2009 MPT Player of the Year also earned the MPT “Rising Star” award for her consistent play in 2009. Sass cashed in five of seven events, placing second four times and placing third once. Her 69 Player of the Year points were a 27 point increase from the previous year, where she had one second and one fourth place finish in eight events. Sass also broke Amazon’s year old record for average points per event in a single season, averaging 9.9 points for every tournament she entered this year. She also topped the 2009 money list with $320 in earnings, easily topping her previous year of $90 and almost tying the season record for earnings, $325 held by Bigfus.

While still seeking her first MPT victory, Sass proved she will be a force to be reckoned with in future MPT events.

Amazon Earns First "Rising Star" Award

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Mattress Poker Tour rookie, Amazon, was presented with the Rising Star Award following the recent MPT Main Event at the Showboat Hotel and Casino. Amazon earned the award with wins in two of her first three events this season. She finished fifth in the season long "Sealy Cup" points standings, despite playing only four events, averaging a stunning 8.8 points per event. She finished the season second in "Kills", with 9 players eliminated and third on the money list with $260 in earnings. She also led the MPT in vodka consumption.

Amazon's impressive debut in 2008 sets a high standard for future Rising Star contenders.

MPT to Award Rookie of the Year in December

SPRINGFIELD, VA - Mattress Poker Tour Founder and Tournament Director, Harv29, announced today the creation of a Rookie of the Year award, to be presented during the awards ceremony during the season ending banquet that with follow this year's Tournament of Champions main event, in December.

Competition for this year's trophy will be tight, after players making their debuts this season have won four events in a row. Two-time tournament champion Amazon appears to be the early favorite, but with three events remaining there is still a lot of poker left to be played.

The Tournament of Champions main event with be played on Sunday, December 28 at the Showboat Hotel and Casino, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Nine players have already qualified for this year's tournament, either by "cashing" in a tournament during 2008 or by virtue of previous main event championships.