Harrah’s Rincon is one of the pillars of the World Series of Poker Circuit empire. The San Diego-area casino is an Original, meaning when Ceasars Entertainment started the WSOPC in 2005, Harrah’s Rincon was on the schedule, and it’s been there since.
Many will remember the final table of that first main event (a $10K buy-in back then) as one of the greatest in WSOPC history as Chris Ferguson, Prahlad Friedman, Chad Brown, Alex Prendes, Keith Sexton and Robert Williamson III were among the final nine. Ferguson won the event, crippling Friedman heads-up when he made quads vs. Friedman’s top full house. The match was over shortly thereafter.
Fast forward to 2012 and a lot has changed in the WSOPC. This year’s incarnation will feature 12 ring events (March 15-26), including a main event that costs $1,600 to enter (it’s also a re-entry tournament) and is an Ante Up Player of the Year event (March 24).
Last year’s main event champ, Seneca Easley, was chipleader for most of that tournament as he won $70K, beating nearly 190 players.
Most of the ring events will be no-limit hold’em, though a $345 H.O.R.S.E. event is slated for March 16. Other non-ring events include a seniors tournament (March 18, noon, $235) a ladies tournament (March 25, 2 p.m., $235) and some Omaha events. For more information, check WSOP.com.
HUNT WINS AT PALA: Ryan Hunt’s A-8 bested the Q-J of Nelia Flores after almost 11 hours of action to win the River Card Championship at Pala Casino. Hunt of San Marcos, Calif., took home $7,048 and a trophy for first place. Flores of Laguna Niguel, Calif., won $3,995 for second.The event attracted 235 entries, generating a $23,500 prize pool. Here are the remaining top 10 results: Stephanie Detherage, $2,197; Steve Dell, $1,645; Marc Sorenson, $1,410; Victor Ogeare, $1,175; Puma Martin, $940; Seymore Ogeare, $705; Oscar Vasquez, $470 and Allan Galutera, $306.
VIEJAS CASINO: On Friday nights the poker room at Viejas Casino has a deepstack tournament that features a $65 buy-in, 10K chips and 30-minute levels. We hear the event is averaging about 100 players.
Another interesting event is the Saturday night military tournament. The buy-in is $47, but it’s only $7 for anyone with a military ID. Players start with 4K chips, levels are 15 minutes and there are $10 rebuys for 2,500 chips in the first hour.
There’s an optional add-on at the end of the first hour (4K chips for $10, max two add-ons). This tournament also is averaging around 100 players.
Both events start at 6:15 p.m. and if players are hungry they can take advantage of the special poker menu, which normally costs $5 but is half price on weekends.
— Email SoCal poker news to chris@anteupmagazine.com or anteuploriann@gmail.com.
