Gaming Guru

Grand hosts state's first charity poker tournament

The Bluff City No Limit Texas Hold'em Open will be held at Grand Casino April 9 and 10 and Grand is the Presenting and Host Sponsor for the tournament and playing a strong role in its support

The tournament was the idea of Chris Decent, UCP vice president and a poker player himself. "We felt this event would be a natural, what with the huge amount of interest in poker these days," he said. "When Grand Casino made the decision to partner with us and help us through the state approval process, we knew we had a winner. We are grateful to both organizations for their support."

In addition to Grand's backing with cash and in-kind support, other sponsors include Infinity Radio of Memphis which will provide free promotion on its stations, FM100, 93X and WMC AM790. GoodTimes Radio, the only live casino gaming oriented show, is the official gaming show sponsor and is joined with strong advertising and editorial support from Jackpot Magazine, the south's leading gaming newspaper, and Mississippi Gaming News that is distributed to some 40,000 employees in the state's casinos. Both papers are properties of Morris Newspaper , headed by Michael Sunderman, president CEO.

"The Open will be a great event for players in the region, "said Grand's poker room manager, Karen Kaegin. "When two $10,000 seats in the Harrah's World Series of Poker were put up as prizes, we had a rush of entries. The buy-in is only $100 with add-ons $100 and rebuys only $50, which adds to the action."

The two-day signature fund-raising tournament is actually two separate events. On Saturday, April 9, 240 players are expected to compete for one title and another 240 will vie for a final table seat on Sunday. In addition to the comp seat in the WSOP the dream event for poker players everywhere, there will be $1,500 travel expense money for each of the two winners. Cash prizes for both events will be $10,000 each and will be shared by final 10 players each day.

The Bluff City Open has also received recognition from one of the top female pokers in the world, Clonie Gowen who was the champion of the inaugural World Poker Tour Ladies Night event. A very aggressive and competitive player she is also on the board or the United States Poker Association and has agreed to be the spokesperson for UCP for the tournament She not only lend her support but will compete as a player. He agent, author and pro player Rick Fuller, is also expected to compete.

"I am delighted to be selected by UCP for this role," said Gowen, whose lovely face is frequently seen on televised games. "Many people are not aware that United Cerebral Palsy is the largest healthcare charity in the country and its activities cover sixteen programs and services to advance independence, productivity and full citizenship of persons with all types of disabilities."

Space is limited to 240 seats each day in the large event room next to Grand's poker room and registration is daily in the poker room. Registered players are also eligible for $59 Grand Casino hotel rooms.