Jeff Gordon Poker Classic crowns victor

Mike Sugg won the Jeff Gordon Foundation Poker Classic on the evening of March 8, 2006, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, it was announced last week. Sugg beat a playing field of more than 40 competitors to take first place, including 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion Chris Moneymaker and Ali Nejad, master of ceremonies of the recently concluded National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHPC). Moneymaker finished fifth.

A 59-year-old sales manager at a Los Angeles car dealership, Sugg collected $17,892 and an entry to the 2006 WSOP Main Event for his efforts.

In addition to Moneymaker, pro players Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Scotty Nguyen, Steve Dannenmann, and Robert Williamson III participated in the $1,000 charity event. A portion of each buy-in was donated to the Jeff Gordon Foundation, the official charity of the 2006 WSOP.

The Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded by four-time Cup Series winner Jeff Gordon in order to raise money for children's charities.

Please see PokerListings.com's previous article regarding the charity tournament at Jeff Gordon Foundation Poker Classic.