Thunder Valley Casino Resort continues to show how well it can execute hosting multiple tournament series throughout the year. It hosted the Ante Up World Championship and World Poker Tour series with amazing turnouts at each one. The Up the Ante poker room has grown into the powerhouse of cardrooms in Northern California and it will continue its reign by hosting the annual Players Championship with the Heartland Poker Tour (Sept. 18-29).
The first event is $425 with a $200K guarantee. Event 2 is a $150 knockout with players receiving $50 for each bounty. Event 3 is a $175 Survivor with the top 10 percent of the field receiving $1,500. The fourth event is $235 with a $25K guarantee.
Event 5 is the $180 HORSE while Event 6 is a $300 black-chip bounty with a $20K guarantee. Event 7 is $180 Omaha/8 with a $10K guarantee and Event 8 is a $340 six-max with a $25K guarantee. Event 10, which runs after the main, is $150 knockout with $50 bounties.
The $1,650 Players Championship has three Day 1s (Sept. 25-27) as players start with 30K chips. There are many satellites leading up to the event. The 2013 winner was Mario Sequeira, who took home $75K.
STONES GAMBLING HALL: The Saloon poker room at Stones Gambling Hall in Citrus Heights, Calif., dealt its first hand to the public on July 11, giving yet another option for Northern California players to satisfy their poker cravings.
Rodney and Ryan Stone are a father-and-son team who merged the recently closed Phoenix Casino & Lounge and Lucky Derby Casino, absorbing talented workers from both locations.
The new 25,000-square-foot hall includes a 15-table poker room, a table-games cardroom, a restaurant and a bar. The classic mix of old school saloon and high-end luxury are a great addition to the Northern California poker scene.
With other great poker rooms scattered throughout NorCal, players have grown used to prestigious tournament series and action-filled cash games. Stones Gambling Hall is making a strong first impression by offering a variety of tournaments and a long list of live action.
Events run Monday through Friday at 10 a.m., plus there’s a 6:30 p.m. event on Tuesdays and an 11 a.m. event on Saturdays. Buy-ins start at $55 and the last Sunday of the month is a $225 tournament.
The Saloon a range of cash games with some great promotions. It has six jackpots, high-hand bonuses for quads through royals and wheel spins. There also are restaurant and drink discounts to seated players.
The decor of the poker room is elegant and comfortable, featuring flatscreen TVs, individual USB ports to charge your phone and a friendly floor staff. The relaxed vibe and comfortable atmosphere make Stones Gambling Hall a great place to visit and play.
— Email Garrett at roth@anteupmagazine.com.
