Inuvik - Few are good enough to compete, but that didn't stop Inuvik poker players from entering a Yukon tournament last weekend.

Held in Dawson City, the Delta card sharks headed west for a couple of days of no limit play.

Don't let the smile fool you, Dwayne Drescher has a mean poker face. A group of Inuvik players were in Dawson City this past weekend to play in a tournament at Diamond Tooth Gertie's casino. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Chayne Rogers was one of the players who brought his wad of cash down to Dawson.

The 22 year-old card shark also plays blackjack, but wanted to compete and try his luck against others.

"We left on Saturday afternoon," he said.

Rogers and a group of his friends rented a truck and booked a hotel for the weekend.

"One of my buddies told me about it while we were having a game at the poker house," said Rogers.

Rogers gathered his funds and packed $700 in his bag before leaving town.

The venue for the event was Diamond Tooth Gertie's casino.

"It was a good place, there were lots of people there," said Rogers.

This was the first tournament that Rogers had taken part in.

"There were a lot of people I didn't know," said Rogers.

The first observation Rogers made was that some of the people he played against were more experienced.

"You could see that there were a lot of older people, who knew how to play," said Rogers.

"People would win one game and enter another, so it was tough."

The first table that Rogers sat in had eight other players.

"I consider myself an experienced player, but I sometimes make the wrong move," said Rogers.

Rogers said the key to being successful in the game is to have a good hand ready and to watch other players at the table.

"You have to know how to push them around," said Rogers.

In the end, Rogers said he enjoyed himself and would participate in another event when the time comes.

Dwayne Drescher is one of the players who did not attend the tournament, but is happy to be involved in the game at the local level.

"I've been playing for seven years," said Drescher.

"It all started at the coffee shop, where we picked up a deck and learned how to play."

Drescher said the secret to true success is all in the poker face.

"It's all about the look," said Drescher. "If you have good cards or bad, it's about keeping everyone fooled."

Drescher said that his favourite deal in Texas Hold 'em poker is having what is called 'pocket aces,' where you are dealt two ace cards from the start.

"There are other combinations too, so there are options," said Drescher.

Is he upset that he missed out on the weekend's tourney?

"I didn't have the money to go, but it sounded like fun," said Drescher.