A report by David Sasseman

Biloxi, Mississippi (September 3, 2009) – Being surrounded by stunning décor, exquisite dining, poker pros, free booze, Rounder Magazine girls, and seductive nightlife is great and all that, but I am here for the poker!

The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino (an MGM property) will host an eleven day poker spectacular. I say this because the cash games are sensational. I play USD 1/2 and USD 2/5 no-limit hold’em but there are bigger no-limit, Omaha, and other games up in the tournament room where guys are counting out handfuls of 100 dollar bills and throwing them into the pot. By the time they count the money, ‚run it twice‘, discuss the odds, and split the pot, I have seen them only play eight hands in an hour- especially late at night. It is fun just to be a railbird.

There are 15 main events, single table sit-n-gos, mega satellites, nightly USD 175+25 tournaments, and a three day tournament that combines the prize pool from two tournaments. Mixed events include a Seven Card Stud/Stud 8 or Better (USD 300 + 40) and also a Limit A-5 Lowball/2-7Lowball/Badugi (USD 1,000 + 70). The tournaments will have a great turnout, a good variety of games, and a player friendly structure. Ken Lambert and his crew (like Shaun Johnson) really do a fine job.

The turnout should be amazing. I expect 400-600 in the tournaments and up to 200 players on the waiting list for cash games.

Restaurants like BR Prime, Jia for Asian, and and MemphisQ makes my mouth water with anticipation. The buffet is one of the best in the Southeastern U.S., the swimming pool, live entertainment, boating, fishing, beach going, fitness center and spa, and golf course (designed exclusively for the Beau Rivage by Tom Fazio) are heaven. The rooms are spacious and all new. To wake up in this glorious Gulf Resort is such a great way to start a poker day. The room rate is only USD 59 during the week and USD 99 during weekends.

More information about The Gulf Coast Poker Championship