Oyama Shigeo kept his cool even after winning the all-Japanese finals of the Blackjack Tournament Championship at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino Sunday night, Dec. 14.

But with the $61,000 prize he pocketed for defeating six other compatriots who made it to the final Blackjack table, Shigeo had the sweetest smile during the awarding ceremonies.

“Thank you,” was the only thing he managed to say while accepting his giant paycheck.

Fujita Kiichi placed second and pocketed $25,000 while Hiraide Isamu was third and settled for the $15,000 purse in this blackjack tournament. The next four players who joined the seven-man final table in the second day of the two-day tournament went home with $1,000 each.

The list included Uchimura Yoshihide (4th), Tai Kaname (5th), Karakama Nobuo (6th), and Ichihara Yasuo (7th).

With an entry fee of $1,000, a total of 105 players participated in this blackjack season ending tournament. The players were mostly from Japan. Players were trimmed down to 49 in the semifinal stage, including four players who advanced via the wildcard entry.