Turner’s previous victory came exactly two years to the day when she won her first gold ring, here at Harrah’s New Orleans.  In that tournament, Turner became the first female to win an open WSOP Circuit in New Orleans.  History repeated itself again on this night, with Turner’s resounding, well-earned victory.

 Perhaps most impressive about Turner’s win was that it took place in a Mixed Game format.  Indeed, Mixed Game events are becoming increasingly popular at many tournaments.  The Mixed Game format is similar to H.O.R.S.E., except a wider variety of poker games are played.  Instead of just five games played as with H.O.R.S.E., there are seven games included – Limit Hold’em, Omaha High-Low Split, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, Eight-or-Better, No-Limit Hold’em, and Pot-Limit Omaha.  Some argue that Mixed Game tournaments are actually the supreme test of all-around poker skill, since there are so many different varieties of games.  Note:  By contrast, 60 percent of the H.O.R.S.E. menu is comprised of Stud games, and all play is limit.  Mixed Game formats not only include two additional games, but Pot-Limit and No-Limit, as well.

This was the tenth gold ring event of 19 at this year’s Bayou Poker Challenge, part of the WSOP Circuit schedule at Harrah’s New Orleans.  The $300 (+50) buy-in Mixed Game tournament was played over two consecutive days during May 12^thth.  The tournament attracted 68 entries.  The top eight finishers divided a prize pool totaling $19,788.  After 60 players were eliminated on the first day, final table play began on a Thursday afternoon, with Turner ranked in second place according to the early chip count.

In fact, this final table included two former WSOP Circuit gold ring winners – Taylor and Allen Kessler who would end up locked in a heads-up showdown for a repeat victory.  Michael Husar was also present, who won a WSOP Satellite event held at last year’s Winter Bayou Poker Challenge, held at Harrah’s New Orleans.

Daphne “Tweety” Turner, from Richmond, TX won the Mixed Game championship.  Her cash prize totaled $6,727.  Far more memorable was the WSOP Circuit gold ring she earned, becoming the first female player since the WSOP Circuit began in 2005 to win two open events.  Turner’s accomplishment is even more remarkable since she plays in few events when compared to many of her tournament rivals.  Encouraged by her showing in this tournament, as well as a first-place finish at another tournament held recently in Las Vegas, Turner says she hopes to play in more future events, including the 2010 WSOP.