DUANE GERLEMAN TAKES CASINO CHAMPION HONORS IN COUNCIL BLUFFS
Ridgeway, Iowa farmer puts on a convincing performance including 1st-, 2nd-, 7th- and 14th-place finishes.
 
Council Bluffs, Iowa, (April 24, 2014)Duane Gerleman became a two-time ring winner and donned Casino Champion honors in the process Sunday at Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Gerleman, who began Event 11 of the 12-tournament series with 62.5 points in the form of 2nd-, 7th- and 14th-place finishes, put the finishing touches on a convincing performance that saw him complement his previous deep runs with a win and best second place John Reading by 17.5 points.

“When I cam here I had 110 points [on the National Leaderboard] and I knew I needed more [to qualify for the National Championship],” Gerleman said. “Before [Event 11] I knew I had plenty of points – I had 170 or whatever – so I knew I was locked in. It didn’t matter a whole lot whether I won the Casino Championship or not, but I wasn’t going to leave any money on the table [tonight] either.”

En route to the winner’s circle, Gerleman knocked the eventual runner up Reading out of pole position as the series wound down. Reading joined Gerleman, the chip leader, in the 12-player restart in Event 11 and eventually snuck his way onto the final table and into the money. He earned 15 points for his 9th-place finish topping out him out at 112.5. Reading’s third cash of the series padded his lead and forced Gerleman to card a 2nd-place finish or better to take the honors. A few hours later, Gerleman did just that as John Gibbs busted 3rd. Shortly thereafter he’d put the finishing touches on his championship performance earning his second ring and heading to the season-ending event.

Gerleman’s performance earns him a berth in the National Championship set to take place at Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, N.C. July 29-31. Up for grabs in the one-of-kind tournament will be an up-to $2,000,000 prize pool and a gold bracelet. Gerleman is joined at the unique event by 99 other Circuit qualifiers and up to 100 $10,000 WSOP qualifiers.

Gerleman is a 59-year-old farmer from Ridgeway, Iowa. Following the Council Bluffs series, his Circuit resume boasts 25 cashes, two gold ring and more than $100,000 in earnings. Here’s a look at his in-the-money finishes from last week:
  • Event 11 ($365 NLH) 1st - $8,545 - 50 points
  • Event 9 ($365 NLH) 2nd - $10,557 - 37.5 points
  • Event 6 ($365 O8) 7th - $1,448 - 20 points
  • Event 2 ($365 NLH Turbo) - 14th - 5 points