Rankin Inlet (Mar 02/05) - Troy Aksalnik walked away with $1,000 this past month when he captured the Nunavut Dart Federation's (NDF) first Texas Hold 'Em poker championship in Rankin Inlet.

NDF president Boyd White deemed the event a tremendous success.

He says players paid $100 to enter the event and compete for prizes using poker chips.

"There was no exchange of money during the actual games of the tournament, which was a very successful fundraiser for the NDF," says White.

"It was well organized and we owe a great deal of thanks to volunteers Dave Petryshen, Brenton Porter, Tracey Thierstein, Jake Punshon, Deanna Dixon, Carla Punshon and Rick Mann for helping us out."

A total of 23 people started the tourney at 6 p.m., with Aksalnik being crowned champ at midnight.

The early rounds started with a blind fee of $5 and $10, with the maximum bet being a $25 chip.

Every player lasted about three hours until the blinds were raised and "all-in bets" were allowed.

Moses Aupilardjuk has the unenviable distinction of being the first player eliminated from the tourney.

Steve Stales took home 500 poker chips, an aluminum case and an official Texas Hold 'Em table for his second-place efforts, while Dan Scobie earned $100 and a new dart board for finishing third.

The tournament raised close to $700 for the NDF after expenses.

White says the funds will be used for future events in the community.

He says because all the money is raised in Rankin Inlet, it is put back into the community by events the NDF hosts.

"We don't spend money we raise here outside of the community.

"Some people might think the money we raise during these events is used for our players to go the national championship, or something like that, but that simply isn't the case.

"Everyone had a really great time during this tournament and it wasn't the same faces you always see at dart tournaments.

"We're going to try another one later this month."