You may have heard Hollywood Park closed shortly before Christmas. I remember hearing something about it a few years ago, but not a lot since. I nearly forgot about it until it was all over the local news and in the newspapers here in Southern California. But how would this affect the casino, especially since it just had a grand re-opening after a pretty significant remodel a little more than two years ago?
You can get a lot of helpful information from http://www.hollywoodparktomorrow.com, but the plan is to redevelop the area. The project could take eight years to complete once construction is started. It will be made up of nearly 3,000 residential units, a 25-acre park, 75K square feet of office space, a retail and entertainment center, including a 16-screen movie theater, and a 300-room hotel. It appears the casino will stay as it is, which is good news if you’re reading this.
HUSTLER CASINO: As 2013 came to a close, Hustler Casino finished the year strong with Larry Flynt’s Holiday Poker Classic. Ending on Dec. 29, the $500 main event crushed the $200K guarantee ($280,260) as Rubin Chappell took first place for more than $65K. In the $250K guarantee $125 entry with one $100 add-on, Phillip Zangwill outlasted more than 1,100 runners for $38K. The big $500K guarantee $160 entry with one $100 add-on had a ridiculous pool of $775K. Zeke Ramirez was the big winner in this one, taking home $150K as he bested more than 3,600 runners.
ANTE UP CRUISE: I want to remind everyone of the first West Coast Ante Up Poker Cruise. It’s seven nights and embarks from Port of Los Angeles on March 30 on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Star. There will be stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
There will be an Ante Up Poker Room aboard ship with poker lessons, strategy discussion, cash games and tournaments with a professional staff and dealers. It’s basically a floating casino, where your room and five-star dining are included in the package price. All you are left with at the end is your bar tab and any excursions you chose. Hopefully we’ll see you there.
— Email Dave Palm at LA.AnteUp@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @AnteUpLosAngele.
