The Beau Rivage has completed another Spring Break Classic in Biloxi. What amazes me about the Beau is the consistency in turnout. While tournaments elsewhere experience fluctuating attendance, the Beau always seems to be solid and reliable.
The opening event featured a $150K guarantee, and with the field 650-plus, there were plenty of new faces in the field.
Mississippi’s Capt. Tom Franklin won the event. A World Series of Poker bracelet-winner and a well-known pro, he sits at the top of the list for most cashes in Mississippi poker.
This event sent him home with $39,418. Aside from just besting the field, Franklin is recovering from a bout of health issues and still has only about half of his eyesight. Though he said he “enjoyed the challenge,” there is no doubt this wasn’t an easy victory.
The conclusion of the week was the $150K guarantee championship, which had an $800 buy-in for 295 entrants. The Day 2 returning list read like a southern poker roll call. Familiar faces such as Franklin, B.J. McBrayer, Kyle Cartwright, Josh Palmer, Kristopher Cannatelli, Corrie Wunstel, Jake Bazeley, Bill Phillips and “Boston” Rob Mariano were a few of the 63 players who came back.
Not everyone would make it to the money. By the time the bubble burst we were down to 27 players. Ben Mintz and “Boston” Rob captured prize money but were out by the final table. The final 10 included Phillips of GulfCoastPoker.net and Palmer; two faces I’m happy to see at every Beau Rivage event. Palmer finished with an impressive second and $26,731. The title went to someone well-known, but for different reasons. Dealer John Langevin scooped up the $51,894 and trophy to add to his growing collection. Langevin is a dealer from Pensacola Greyhound Track and though he regularly makes time to play, he’s much more often recognized on the other side of the table.
With this event concluded and Horseshoe Tunica finishing its Southern Poker Championship at press time, Mississippi tournaments are on break until after the WSOP. No worries, there will be plenty of great summer promotions available for those who won’t be joining us in Vegas.
And please remember, Harrah’s Tunica will be closing the doors permanently on June 2. Stop in if you haven’t had a chance to take advantage of its final promotions and then say goodbye.
Next month, I’ll give you all an update on how our Mississippi players are doing in the chase for bracelets at the Rio as well as highlight promotions from around the state. Keep sending your emails and bad-beat stories.
— Email Jennifer at jennifergay80@hotmail.com.
