Yousef Saleh outlasted a field of 146 runners to become the champion of HPT Ameristar Vicksburg $1,100 Main Event, good for $36,895 and a $3,500 HPT Season XV Championship package. The vast majority of Saleh's $89,576 in Hendon Mob reported tournament earnings have been accrued all in 2019, and this latest bounty pushes him above the six-figure mark in lifetime earnings.

• Ameristar Poker Room Vicksburg Buffet

Saleh, who already picked up a mid-major title earlier in the year when he took down the RunGood Poker Series Tunica Main Event in March, kept his aggressive style of play on full display for the duration of the final table, constantly putting maximum pressure on his foes with his huge chip stack. It seemed like the few times that anyone would play back at Saleh, he would wake up with a monster, a plan that Saleh said he had in motion before the day even began.

The Ameristar Poker Room is on the 1st level of the casino with the biggest and most spacious poker room in town.

'That was my plan; if you stay on top, you stay on top the whole way,' Saleh told HPT's Tournament Director Jeremy Smith after his victory. 'Everybody thinks I'm lucky; you need luck, I know that. I folded a lot of good hands, I played my spots where I had it.'

Ameristar’s 70,000-square-foot riverboat casino has brought nonstop action to Vicksburg, including over 1,500 of the latest and most popular slot machines, 27 table games, a ten-table poker room and variety of exquisite dining options. And this just wouldn’t be Mississippi if there wasn’t great music – check it out at our classic blues bar. Ameristar Poker Room Overview Part of Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg. It's time to play the best poker game in Vicksburg, Mississippi and it's only at Ameristar Casino Hotel. There is a well appointed 10 table room here offering daily Texas Hold ‘Em, 3-6, 4-8, and 2-10 Hold'em, 1-3 and 2-5 No Limit Hold'em, Omaha and Omaha Hi-Low.

Saleh, who went wire-to-wire as he held the chip lead for the entirety of the final table, had a premonition that he was going to win this tournament before he even arrived, 'I've been saying this before I come here; my sister's wedding is Wednesday. If i win this, I'm going to the wedding. It's in Jordan, so, I might be on the airplane tomorrow.' As for his newfound windfall, Saleh said simply, 'Poker money stays poker money, I play tournaments all over; I played in the Main Event in Vegas, cashed in it for the first time. I was proud.' Now Saleh has his first HPT Main Event title to add to the growing list of accolades in his poker career.

JW Carter's stay at the final table lasted exactly one hand, as his flopped two pair were no match for the flopped straight of Judge Leo Boothe, sending him home in ninth place. The defending HPT Ameristar Vicksburg Main Event champ BJ McBrayer ground a short stack for two hours, but never was able to gain any ground, and finally succumbed in eighth place when he lost a flip to Sley Sanchez.

Another flip would spell the end of Boothe's run in seventh place, as his ace-ten couldn't catch up to the pocket fives of Saleh, and Kip Jones followed Boothe out the door in sixth a short time later, when his ace-deuce was outkicked by the ace-nine of Shomari Williams. Sanchez fell victim to a bad beat one level later, when his pocket tens were bested by CT Hoffecker's ace-nine, when Hoffecker managed to make nines-full, and Sanchez was ousted one hand later.

Williams would be next to fall, his king-queen failing to improve against the ace-jack of Jaron Bailey. Bailey then took out Hoffecker one level later, leaving Bailey and Saleh separated by just a few big blinds at the start of heads up action. As had been the case for most of the day, however, Saleh turned up the heat and ground Bailey down to just under twelve big blinds before the final hand of the tournament commenced.

Bailey found himself all in and at risk with queen-three with a queen-king-five-ace board on the felt, but Saleh, as had been the case the majority of the day, had the best of it with his king-four. The ten of clubs on the river was a brick for Bailey, and Saleh secured the victory.

'On the first day, we said we were gonna be together at the final table, and here we are!' Saleh told Bailey moments after the river fell to seal Saleh's victory, and the two shared a handshake and were in good spirits after a hard-fought heads up battle.

There’s a lot for visitors to do in Vicksburg, Mississippi, from visiting historic museums to dining at local eateries and more. After a day spent exploring Vicksburg, head to one of the town’s four riverfront casinos for a night of gaming, entertainment and fun with friends and family. Each casino offers their own dining options and hotel accommodations for guests to enjoy. Check out what each of the four Vicksburg casinos have to offer before you book your stay with Visit Vicksburg today.

current guidelines for reopening gaming properties in Mississippi:

Ameristar Casino Vicksburg

Head to the Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, central Mississippi’s largest dockside casino, to try your hand at blackjack, craps, roulette and poker, or get lucky at one of the 1,300 slot and video poker machines. Plan to spend the night? Check in to one of the 149 newly-renovated rooms or park your coach or travel trailer at the Ameristar RV Park. During your stay, don’t miss out on the Ameristar’s restaurants, like Heritage Buffet or Bourbon’s. Ameristar Casino Vicksburg also offers free parking and shuttle service to and from the casino and hotel.

Casino Vicksburg

Get your game on at the Casino Vicksburg, located right along the Mississippi River. With more than 600 slot and video poker machines – in addition to E-gaming tables, featuring craps, roulette and blackjack – there’s always a chance to win big. Looking for a tasty bite to eat? Casino Vicksburg is home to several restaurants, including the Farmer’s Pick Buffet and Otis & Henry’s Bar and Grill, for guests to satisfy their cravings. Spend the night in a comfortable room or suite and enjoy complimentary high-speed internet and freshly brewed coffee 24/7.

Riverwalk Casino Hotel

Fifteen table games and over 600 slot machines await at the Riverwalk Casino Hotel. Enjoy the thrill of placing your bets or win big with your favorite team with sports betting. When your stomach starts to growl, visit the Riverwalk’s Magnolia Hill Buffet or Smiley’s for a delicious bite to eat before you retire for the evening in your cozy hotel room with a view overlooking the Mississippi River.

Waterview Casino & Hotel

With over 30,000 square feet of gaming space, the Waterview Casino & Hotel offers a variety of slots, video poker machines and table games for you to choose from. In addition to blackjack, craps and roulette, the casino also features Mississippi stud poker and Dragon Bonus baccarat. Stop by the Lucky Bean for a quick bite on your way out the door or sit down for dinner at the Sandbar Fish House & Grill. The Waterview hotel provides comfortable rooms where guests can recuperate after an evening of fun.

Plan Your Trip with Visit Vicksburg

Ameristar Poker Room Vicksburg Buffet

Book your stay in Vicksburg, MS and enjoy gaming, dining and more at one of the city’s four notable casinos. Contact Visit Vicksburg for help planning your trip today.