Commerce Casino, home to 200 poker tables, the most of any card room in the world, is gearing up for the month-long L.A. Poker Classic, which kicks off on January 19. The L.A. Poker Classic, a World Poker Tour (WPT) event, will feature a wide range of poker game variations including Limit Hold 'Em, Stud Hi/Low Split, Pot Limit Omaha High, 7-Card Stud, and Omaha Hi/Low Split, culminating in the final championship event, which starts on February 16.

The L.A. Poker Classic No Limit Hold 'Em Championship tournament is a $10,000 buy-in event featuring a guaranteed first prize of $2 million. As if the winner would have a hard time covering the $25,000 buy-in to the WPT World Championship with that kind of prize money, he/she will have that taken care of as well. In addition to crowning the championship event winner, a $50,000 bonus will go to the player rated the best overall, based on performance throughout the month.

Last year, the L.A. Poker Classic championship event drew 535 players, making it one of the biggest events on the WPT circuit. This year's tournament is expected to bring in over 600 players. The L.A. Poker Classic is also upping the ante as far as prize money goes. Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, who won last year's championship, got a $1.859,909 payday, and the year before that, Antonio “The Magician" Esfandiari claimed $1,399,135. The guaranteed $2 million top prize is a first for the L.A. Poker Classic.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Wednesday, 11 January 2006