With the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event just around the corner, now is the time to take advantage of the satellites and qualifiers your local casinos are offering. For those fortunate enough to live in or near the Central California Valley, you have a great option with the Tachi Palace.
The poker room is running its 10th consecutive year of satellite events sending players to the WSOP main. The series of events started in November and runs the first Saturday of every month through May. A “last chance” event is offered May 19. It’s a $200 buy-in and $25 entry fee deepstack with 10K chips and 30-minute levels. The last player standing earns an entry into the main event along with $2K for travel expenses.
Central Valley resident and 2007 WSOP champ Jerry Yang regularly participates in these events, even winning his 2009 WSOP seat at Tachi. These events draw players from hours away so call ahead to check availability.
“Our seven-table poker room may be small in size, but we are big on fun and offer a range of action from $2-$4 kill to some of the best no-limit games in the valley with liberal buy-in structures,” table games manager John T. Stewart said. “We feature a very aggressive and exciting promotional schedule that literally runs around the clock with promos like Kings Can’t Lose, Aces Cracked, Faces Cracked, $450 Triple High Hands, $150 Spade Flush bonuses and more.”
The casino also spreads NLHE tournaments five days a week and cash tables include $1-$3 NLHE with a $100-$500 min-max and $2-$5 NLHE ($200-$1K). Limit games offered are the popular $2-$4 kill, $3-$6 and the occasional $4-$8. The room uses the Genesis Bravo system that keeps things efficiently humming along in cash and tournament action, while ensuring the guests earn comp points for their valued play.
Tachi Palace is 45 minutes south of Fresno in the heart of the South Valley in Lemoore. Details on all poker room events and promotions can be found at tachipalace.com or call 559-925-5854.
TACHI WSOP WINNER: Ramin Piro of Turlock defeated 100-plus runners on April 7 to win a WSOP main event package, which includes $2,200 in cash plus a $10,000 WSOP seat.
— Leslie Pauls is the Ante Up Ambassador for Central California and pro poker player. Email her at anteupcali@gmail.com.
