![]() Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter! Related Links
Related News
Recent Articles
Best of Rudi Schiffer
|
Gaming GuruWhat Makes The WPO Tick?19 November 2004
Horseshoe Poker Room Manager and co-tournament director Ken Lambert and Gold Strike's Director of Marketing agree on this key point even while battling each other day day in and day out for the hearts and purses of casino customers. "We work extremely well together and can call on each other with the assurance that things will get done," said Ms. Brown. "This is not just a unique affiliation, it is probably unheard of in the gaming industry. We work as one." Said Lambert, who put his dream of a major Southern poker tournament into effect when he approached Gold Strike to become a partner in the new event. "It worked from the beginning and has been a success since 2000. This relationship has been a great example of how two casinos can work together on one event for mutual benefit but one that also benefits the Tunica market as a whole."
There is a tremendous amount of work done by the two casinos and with some 7,000 players anticipated for the 6th event, teamwork and cooperation is of the essence to make it flow smoothly for the players and their guests. Fortunately, the Horseshoe and Gold Strike now have a lot of experience and success in preparing for and handling large fields, crowds and the overflow of people in the past. "Prize money was paid to players from virtually every state in the country and 22 different nations," said Nolan Dalla who coordinates publicity and media for the event. "The prize money is bigger than the Masters in golf or Wimbledon in tennis. If the past is any measure, the prize money and attendance will increase again by about 20 percent." That the tournament has been such a continuous success is not so much a surprise. The Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of poker, as we know it today. Riverboat gamblers and Southerners essentially invented the game and the lore that emanated from those early years of poker has helped its growth immensely. Also, the event is helped by two of the most prestigious names in the industry, the legendary Horseshoe (Harrah's Entertainment) and Gold Strike (Mandalay Resort Group), with the encouragement and support of Jack Binion, one of the most loved and respected men in the gaming business. "We work at this 365 days a year," said Sheila Stafford, Horseshoe's Advertising Manager. "We have to get out advertising and publicity not only for the event but to attract about 200 qualified temp dealers from around the country as well to augment the 75 we have. We had 101 tables operating last year between the two casinos and with different shifts that is a lot of people from a small available pool. We even advertise in Europe." GROWING PROBLEMS The event has gained prestige and not only draws the biggest names in poker but has spread to Hollywood and Ben Affleck, Lou Diamond Phillips and Toby McGuire may make appearances in Tunica for the event. Affleck and Phillips played last year and Spiderman McGuire recently won the Phil Helmuth Invitational, a $2,000 buy-in event. Beside the big money pool, the Binion WPO is very generous to players, helping make it an event to be played in. Room rates are every affordable for players and they are also allowed to eat at special rooms in Gold Strike, where the ballroom is the main venue, at no cost. THE GAMES But one the major attractions of this gathering is the side action that goes on around the clock. There are numerous cash games at both casinos from $1-5 limit to all the way up to pot limit and no-limit. There was a unique and very interesting sidebar that accompanied the winner, Barry Greenstein, last year. The Rancho Pales Verdes, California pro, who retired at the young age of 36 after selling his software company, incredibly donates every penny of his winnings to charity. Last year that meant he donated $1,278,370 to his favorite charity, Children Incorporated.
Heard it on the River is published courtesy of Jackpot Magazine, the South's leading gaming newspaper. Related Links
Related News
Recent Articles
Best of Rudi Schiffer
Rudi Schiffer |
Rudi Schiffer |