I sat with Foxwoods director of poker Terry Chiaradio and tournament director Juan DeJesus to discuss a wide range of topics of interest to the Northeast poker scene.
WSOPC’S AUGUST RETURN: Yes, that’s right, less than 120 days after the close of the 2012-13 World Series of Poker Circuit at Foxwoods, the circuit returns to Foxwoods on Aug. 8-19.
Chiaradio explained why.
“The WSOP Circuit wanted to kick off the new year at Foxwoods, and we happily obliged,” she said. “The spring circuit stop delivered more than 4,700 players and more than $2 million in prize money, putting the first-time April event above average for regular circuit stops.”
She felt the early August timeframe will allow for further growth of the circuit stop.
“Historically, we’ve had a lot of success in early August with our Mega Stack Challenge. Combining the right timeframe with the highly recognizable circuit event series should be a recipe for continued growth of the event at Foxwoods.”
DeJesus said there will be a full slate of tournaments, $1 million in guarantees and 12 ring events, including a $500K guarantee $1,675 main event. The August circuit stop kicks off with a $365 no-limit hold’em ring event, and includes Omaha/8, a seniors event, a six-max and daily deepstack tournaments and main-event satellites. Also, $580 buy-in events with healthy guarantees have been added.
Tournament details will be posted on foxwoods.com, including information on hotel-room discounts. You can find the tournament schedule in the ad on the facing page.
MINI SERIES JULY 19-21: DeJesus detailed the $175K in guaranteed prize pools to be featured during Foxwoods Mini Series event in late July.
“With three events with low $300 and $400 buy-ins, a multiple-day event and deep starting stacks, this is a great summer weekend travel opportunity for local poker players,” he said.
Again, details and hotel discounts are listed on foxwoods.com.
UPCOMING CHANGES? Chiaradio said the move of the cash poker area is on hold because of some recent changes in operations. “The idea was to put all poker operations on one floor; moving cash poker games to the same level as tournament tables. At this point, we are keeping the two areas separated.”
EXPANSION: With the passing of casino license legislation in Massachusetts, the Foxwoods brand could be coming to Central New England. Foxwoods is proposing a resort-style casino 45 minutes southwest of Boston in Milford, Mass. The size and scope of poker availability is still up in the air.
— Patrick Gallagher is Ante Up’s Northeast Ambassador. Email him at anteupne@gmail.com.
Mega Stack Challenge, Foxwoods Casino, May 11-19
Event 1 • $600 NLHE
Entries: 337 • Pool: $173,251
Jon Walker, $39,848
Event 2 • $230 NLHE
Entries: 183 • Pool: $17,202
Wayne Sanford, $2,358*
Event 3 • $230 Omaha/8
Entries: 82 • Pool: $15,909
Chris Tryba, $5,091
Event 4 • $300 NLHE
Entries: 591 • Pool: $149,050
Eric Siegel, $21,763*
Event 5 • $400 6-max
Entries: 126 • Pool: $42,777
Michael Sabini, $11K
Event 6 • $230 NLHE
Entries: 179 • Pool: $34,726
Rohan Long, $7,586*
Event 7 • $400 NLHE
Entries: 196 • Pool: $77,600
Fred Paradis, $17,639*
Event 8 • $230 NLHE
Entries: 194 • Pool: $18,235
Roger Fisette, $3,585*
Event 9 • $230 H.O.S.E.
Entries: 67 • Pool: $12,998
George Kalaitzis, $4,550
$1,200 Main Event
Entries: 313 • Pool: $330,935
Mark Dube, $77,700
* Denotes chop or deal
