Lee Markholt: Winner of the PPT Third Annual Five Star World Poker Classic

Born at the prosperous port city of Tacoma in Washington, Lee Markholt became the fourth title holder for the professional poker Tour after winning its Third Annual Five Star World Poker Classic at the beautiful casino floors of the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada. From April 9 to 16, 2005, a total of 230 talented professional poker players competed at this freeroll invitational event, which includes an astonishing $225,000 payoff to the winner. With $500,000 in prizes to be given away to the best poker players, this tournament is definitely one of the grandest poker freeroll events in recent years.

After an exhausting elimination round, only six superb poker players were able to make it to the final table match of this special tourney, one of which was the highly talented Markholt. Joining him at the roster of finalists are L.A. Poker Classic champion Erick Lindgren and fan-favorite Doyle Brunson. Completing the final table are Chris Bjorin, Barry Shulman, and Dan Heimiller. Although all of them displayed their skills and talents gallantly on the poker table, they were still unable to break the spirit of Markholt, who eventually won the match after several exciting rounds of betting, raising, and calling.

The final placing of the six top players pretty showed how they stand at the Third Annual Five Star World Poker Classic tournament. Placing sixth overall at this Professional Poker Tour freeroll event, Lindgren took home his fair share of prizes with a $25,000 payout. On the fifth place, Heimiller was able to take home a bigger $30,000. On the fourth slot, the Swedish poker pro Bjorin took home a decent $45,000. The third best overall record went to Brunson, who won a total of $60,000. The second spot solely belonged to Shulman, whose impressive plays and strategies were able to land him a grand $100,000. Lastly, Markholt was the one who took home a glittering $225,000 in pot money, whose skill proved superior to his fellow finalists.

Aside from this Professional Poker Tour title, Markholt has piled up a number of impressive wins and titles. His victory at the Third Annual Five Star World Poker Classic not only proved that he is one of the greatest forces to reckon with in the world of poker, but he is one of the greatest players who have played the game in recent years. This victory became Markholt's first-ever international title after failing so many times in the past.

Overall, it can be said that Markholt's career catapulted to greater heights after he finished on top of the Third Annual Five Star World Poker Classic at the Bellagio. In the World Series of Poker, although he has yet to earn any of its prestigious bracelets, Markholt has piled up 10 strong money finishes. Meanwhile, in the World Poker Tour, he reached the final table once, winning that event for his first major title at the tour. At the same time, his money finishes has already reached a total of 15.