Six Florida poker rooms have teamed up to host a multiday tournament that will feature the largest poker prize pool in Florida history – up to $1,000,000.
"The Florida Million" tournament allows players to begin play in any of the six participating rooms during March, with the top remaining players from each finishing the tournament at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg on April 10-11. The groundbreaking format is unlike anything ever attempted in poker before.
"This is taking Florida tournaments to a new level!" said Jeff Gamber, director of poker operations at Derby Lane. "Derby Lane is proud to be a part of this unprecedented event with the support of some of the best cardrooms. This will be a marquee event for local players to be proud to participate in."
Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach, Daytona Beach Kennel Club & Poker Room in Daytona Beach, Naples Ft. Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs, Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach and Orange Park Kennel Club in Orange Park are the other rooms participating.
"We are excited for the opportunity to work with the other great cardrooms in the state, all the while providing the great players of Florida an opportunity to show their skills and compete for the largest prize pool in Florida history," said Noah Carbone, director of poker operations at Palm Beach Kennel Club.
Each room will offer multiple "Day Ones" of the $500+$50 buy-in tournament. Each Day One must have at least 80 players, but no more than 150. Play will continue until the top 10 percent of the field remains, and those players will advance to the championship in April with their existing stacks. Players who do not make the top 10 percent are permitted to enter additional Day Ones until they qualify.
"Daytona Beach Kennel Club & Poker Room is pleased to be a part of this exciting event," said Mark Hayes, director of poker operations. "This unique format allows players multiple opportunities to play for the richest tournament prize in Florida."
Players start with 15,000 units and levels are 40 minutes long, and the tournament is conducted under TDA rules. Day One events will be conducted throughout March. View the updated schedule at http://www.flmillion.com. The Web site will also keep an up-to-date tally of entrants, prize pool and average chip stack.
"Jacksonville Greyhound Racing and Poker is excited to be working with some of the best poker rooms on The Florida Million Poker Tournament," said Josh Zuckerman, director of poker operations for Orange Park Kennel Club and Jacksonville Greyhound Racing and Poker. "The Florida Million Poker Tournament will be a platform that showcases some of the East Coast’s greatest tournament poker players playing for the largest prize pool to date and the most unique format."
The Florida Million plans two events a year, with the championship round rotating among the six participating rooms.
