The North Dakota State Texas Hold’em Championship is being held this weekend at the Vegas Hotel in Minot.

Wendy Rupert, co-founder of the tournament, said about 1,200 players were expected to play in the 13th annual poker tournament. The first prize is $40,000 and the total prize pool is $138,000, with payouts to the 100th spot.

Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Curtis Langford Memorial Fund for scholarships for marketing students at Minot State University. The late Langford was a past winner of the poker tournament.

Tournament play will continue today and Sunday, with the tournament champion declared on New Year’s Day.

Rupert said players come from different states and Canadian provinces and so far are not being deterred by the snowy weather. Only two or three people have canceled their reservations for the tournament.

“We have seen them drive through blizzards in the past (to play),” said Rupert.

Rupert said the poker tournament is also an economic boost for the Minot community, since it brings so many people to town.