Bell Gardens, California – The Bicycle Casino has been hosting one of their largest poker tournaments of the year, the Legends of Poker! This tournament not only brings together some of the best players from across the country for a month long competition unlike no other, but it is also the launch of the west coast leg of the World Poker Tour’s annual world-wide circuit!

New to The Bicycle Casino’s landmark tournament schedule is the Mariani/Buss Charity Open. This USD 3000 + USD 75 buy-in charity poker tournament begins at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 31 and a percentage of the proceeds will benefit the Magic Johnson Foundation. In addition, The Bicycle Casino will donate a percentage of the prize pool (up to USD 10,000) for this worthy cause.

The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a no-host cocktail hour and a fabulous appetizer/dessert bar featuring the culinary delights of the Bike’s renowned Chef Mario. At 5:30 p.m., Legends of Poker tournament winners will be awarded their signature Legends Championship rings, followed by an extraordinary „special guest speaker“ line up including Steve Lipscomb, World Poker Tour chief architect and founder. Charity presentations will begin at approx. 6:15 p.m. and the much anticipated 1/2 Hold’em & 1/2 Stud Mariani/Buss Competition is set to begin promptly at 7:15 p.m.!

The now infamous World Poker Tour, due to air on The Travel Channel in the spring, will bring the Legends of Poker’s cornerstone event, a USD 5000+ USD 80 No Limit „Texas“ Hold’em tournament, to the general public. Beginning Monday, September 1st, players will compete in a three-day „play-off“ to determine which six players will go to the final table to be filmed „live“ for the WPT on Wednesday, September 3rd. Thirteen cameras will capture the action, including tiny cameras that reveal the hole cards, allowing viewers to see who is bluffing and who is not. At stake on a single hand can be hundreds of thousands of dollars! Besides a hefty sum of cash, the Winner will walk away with the much-coveted USD 25,000 seat into the WPT‘s final event held at the prestigious Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada next spring — another chance to walk away a star and a winner!

If you missed last year’s riveting event, you’ll definitely want to be in the audience this time! The WPT‘s phenomenal success this year guarantees that this will be a „sold out“ show, so The Bicycle Casino is setting up a live feed in their Grand Ballroom to allow more spectator viewing and will be hosting a low limit poker party! Along with the opportunity to watch the taping as it’s happening on the main poker floor, those new to the game will have the chance to learn how to play poker with Sharon Silvas, who teaches Poker College. Those who are game will be able to watch the festivities and play low limit poker! For avid poker fans and those new to the action, come early to watch the „best of the best“ and see who will walk away with the coveted title of Legends of Poker/WPT 2003 Poker Champion!

The final Legends of Poker event, a No-Limit Hold’em Championship, begins on Monday, September 1, however the final table of that event will be televised on Wednesday, September 3, beginning at 5:00 p.m., bringing the sport of poker to a new audience of poker enthusiasts and raising the bar once again on this very popular game of kings!

This year, the World Poker Tour has added another event to their line-up! The Bicycle Casino is delighted to be hosting the WPT‘s „Ladies Night!“ On Thursday, September 4th at 5:00 p.m., the Bike will feature the hot women of poker including Jennifer Harman, Kathy Liebert and Annie Dukes.

Another notable event happening this weekend is „A Day With The Champions.“ Hosted by the Professional Sponsorship Group and The Bicycle Casino on Saturday, August 30 at 1:00 p.m., this special event will bring together four of the top poker players to answer attendees‘ questions during a 3-hour seminar. Jennifer Harman (top player featured at this year’s WPT‘s „Ladies of Poker“ event), T.J. Cloutier (reigning Player of the Year), Daniel Negreanu (Card Player columnist and top professional) and Brad Doughtery (winner of the World Series of Poker in 1991) will share their insights on winning poker strategies. This event is FREE of charge and will be held in The Bicycle Casino’s Grand Ballroom so come by and pick up some tips from some of the most successful players in the industry.

It’s all about poker and you can be part of the action! The Bicycle Casino and The World Poker Tour – the best game in town!

EVENTS RECAP: WHERE: The Bicycle Casino — 7301 Eastern Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201, Florence Ave. Exit off of the 710 Freeway WHAT & WHEN: Event Line-up: Sat., Aug 30 1:00PM „Day of the Champions“ – poker strategies and tips from champion poker players Sun. Aug 31 5:30PM Frank Mariani/Jerry Buss Charity Tournament featuring WPT genius, Steve Lipscomb. Wed. Sept 3 5:00PM World Poker Tour – filming of the Legends of Poker championship final table Thurs. Sept 4 5:00PM Filming of the World Poker Tour“s Ladies of Poker Championship event WHO: Contacts: Bicycle Casino – Kelley O’Hara, Director of Marketing (562) 806-4646 ext 259 or 174 World Poker Tour – Jackie Lapin (818) 707-1473 HOW: Come to the Bicycle Casino’s Welcome Center and they will direct you.

Quelle: PR Newswire