Over 550 players converge on Lafayette, Louisiana to compete in the STPT Pro Am Series. (PRWeb) January 26, 2007 -- The 2007 STPT Pro Am Series kicked off in Lafayette, Louisiana where more than 550 players gathered to play poker and support the United Way.

After a six hour battle the final table was reached, where Frank LeBlanc outlasted Li Pham to win his first championship. LeBlanc took home a Visa gift card worth $5,000, a championship ring, and a seat at the Small Town Poker Tour Pro Am Championship in Las Vegas. LeBlanc also donated $1,000 of his winnings to the United Way. Mark Fracalossi STPT Executive Producer stated, "That's what the STPT is all about people with the love of poker coming together to support a great cause. Frank went above and beyond donating money back." The proceeds of the event benefited the United Way of Acadiana. Li Pham recieved a $3,000 Visa gift card for his efforts. The top 11 players split a prize pool of $11,350.

The STPT Pro Am Series will make it's next stop in the New Orleans Area. On March 23, the tour visits the John A. Alario Sr. Event Center in Westwego, La for the three day event. The proceeds of the event will benefit the Krewe of Chief Choctaw and other New Orleans Area Charities.

The Small Town Poker Tour is the world's largest amateur poker tour, with emphasis on raising money for charity. This begins the STPT's 2007 American leg of the Small Town Poker Tour World Pro Am Series.

The event is managed locally by STPT Affiliate, Texas Hold'em Consultants, a Louisiana licensed tournament provider.

The STPT has received endorsements from many professional poker players, associations and charities worldwide. The STPT is an organizational member of the World Poker Association, the governing body for tournament poker worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.smalltownpokertour.com.

Texas Hold'em Consultants: www.havechipswilltravel.com

World Poker Association: www.wpapoker.org

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