With five $2,000 prizes at stake for the 2008 World Series of Poker, the Nugget Casino began its series of monthly free-roll tournaments Saturday.

Winning the first was Rollie Batayola, who earned $1,000 and 10 points.

Second, worth $500 and five points, went to Rob Lisull; Third, with $300 and three points at stake, went to Rene Soto.

Fourth, with its $200 payoff and two points, was claimed by Rupert Hodnett. Fifth, worth $100 and one point, went to Jim Robertson.

The second in the series of tournaments will be played March 10, starting at noon. Players qualify for the free roll by completing 40 hours of live play in the Nugget poker room.

The top 30 players in points at the end of January will qualify for the 2008 free roll championship tournament.

The Nugget's 2007 free-roll championship, with a $10,000 prize, will be contested Feb. 24, starting at noon. The top 20 in points will compete for the buy-in to the 2007 World Series of Poker, which begins June 1 and ends July 17 at the Rio Casino-Hotel in Las Vegas.

The 2006 World Series attracted more than 8,770 players, with the title -- worth $12 million and the coveted gold bracelet -- won by Jamie Gold.