By 
Anthony Scarborough, a Warner area farmer, earned more than $150,000 by winning Poker Bowl IX, a Texas hold ’em event in Las Vegas. Courtesy photo.
Nearly a year ago, Anthony Scarborough left Las Vegas with a tidy sum, though he still enjoys his routine life in rural Brown County.
That and a good card game.
Scarborough said winning $152,243 in a poker tournament was unbelievable, but his day-to-day regimen of farming and raising a family near Warner hasn’t changed much.
MORE: From new leadership to Doeden’s gubernatorial announcement, here are the top stories of 2025
In February, Scarborough topped a field of 892 players as the victor at the Major Series of Poker Tour Poker Bowl IX at the The Venetian Resort. The Texas hold ’em event had a $1,600 buy-in and a prize pool that topped $1.27 million.
“It was definitely a bucket list win,” Scarborough said. “That tour is kind of our hometown series, so to win it meant a lot.”
The tour describes itself as a series of affordable, no-limit hold ’em tournaments for “weekend warriors,” according to its website. It was founded in Minnesota in 2009 and, until March, was long known as the Mid-States Poker Tour.
Tournament catered to Scarborough’s strengths
Poker Bowl is held annually during Super Bowl week, catering to both card-playing and football crowds in Vegas. Players compete in multiple flights to advance to the final table played the Monday after the Super Bowl. Scarborough said the tournament’s long, structured format suited his strengths.
“It’s a long grind — 10 to 12 hours a day,” he said. “Those kinds of tournaments take some of the luck out of it and reward patience.”
Brown County farmer Anthony Scarborough plays on the Major Series of Poker Tour. In February, he claimed more than $150,000 by winning Poker Bowl IX, a Texas hold ’em event in Las Vegas. Courtesy photo.
His path to poker success hasn’t been as a professional. He first learned to play while overseas in Kuwait while serving in the National Guard, and he played recreationally after returning home. Around 2018, he began studying the game seriously, eventually working with Minnesota-based coach Ian Matakis to improve his strategy.
By 2021, Scarborough had won his first major prize of about $25,000. He said that was when he realized he could compete beyond the local level. He’s since continued to refine his skills while balancing poker with his farming and family life.
That balance paid off at Poker Bowl IX, though not without early struggles in the tournament.
Scarborough, 36, busted out of his first entry in less than a half-hour and considered leaving the tournament. But, encouraged by a close friend, he re-entered on Friday, Feb. 7 and climbed to near the top of the chip count standings.
As the field narrowed, Scarborough said his confidence grew.
“When we got down to around 35 or 40 players, I really felt like I had a chance,” he said.
MORE: 2026 Aberdeen Burger Battle to benefit Salvation Army begins Jan. 15, has 14 entries
Scarborough survived a short stack late on Saturday, Feb. 8 to be one of seven players who advanced to the final day.
Since the tournament took a break on Super Bowl Sunday, he spent time studying final table strategies before play resumed on Monday, Feb. 10. He said he eliminated several experienced players and entered heads-up play with a sizable chip lead, securing the title a few hands later.
The final table was streamed live online, and support from back home poured in.
“My wife shared the stream, and I thought maybe a handful of people would watch,” Scarborough said. “When it was over, my phone just blew up. That part was really humbling.”
He said the winning hand was short on drama as he had a big chip lead. Scarborough went all in with an unsuited king and six. Alex Kim, the only other player left, called with an unsuited queen and 10. Scarborough caught a king on the flop for high pair. Kim had a chance for a straight on the river — the last of five cards used by all players to create a hand — but didn’t hit it. And with that, Scarborough collected the remaining chips.
South Dakota on the national poker stage
Scarborough said representing South Dakota on a national poker stage is something he takes pride in.
“When you tell people you’re from South Dakota, it always gets a reaction, but it feels good to show that players from here can compete,” he said.
The prize money helped at home. Scarborough said he and his wife had been considering building a house, and the victory helped make that a reality.
“That was probably the biggest change. Other than that, life stayed pretty normal,” he said.
Scarborough said he plans to keep playing selectively while continuing to study the game. He hopes to add another Major Series of Poker title and, eventually, a World Series of Poker bracelet. Bracelets are awarded for event wins at the biggest poker tournament in the world.
For now, he remains grateful for the win, support and opportunity to represent a small South Dakota community in the poker world.
“Just believing in yourself goes a long way,” Scarborough said. “You never know when things are going to line up.”
