This fall, Philadelphia opens its first center city poker room at the SugarHouse Casino. There’s plenty of buzz in the poker community and remote casinos, Parx and Harrah’s, regarding the new addition to the area. The poker room will most likely attract more players from within the city, since the other nearby casinos are a hefty cab fare away, hitting three digits for a round trip.
Bravo Poker Live will launch there this month and players using the app will be able to reserve seats upon availability as soon as the room opens. The temporary room is scheduled to remain accessible for 13 months until the completion of the $164 million expansion.
The poker room has expanded the number of tables from 24 to 30 in accordance with high demands. The $2.9M temp room features state-of-the-art poker tables with charging stations for smart phones, a snack bar, bar services, 80 newly-trained poker dealers, and a stunning view of the Ben Franklin Bridge. According to SugarHouse, “The room was designed with input from local poker players, down to details as minor as the types of chairs being ordered, to ensure guests have a superior experience.”
BORGATA: Trevor Deeter of Langhorne, Pa., took home the trophy and $32,306 after outlasting 987 entrants in the two-day $100K gurantee mini series in late July. Among the returnees for Day 2 was Stephanie Hubbard, a notable tournament player in the region. Starting Day 2 as the shortest stack, Hubbard increased her 48K chips (eight big blinds) into a remarkable 620K.
“Always try to bag,” she said. “Tomorrow is another day. Don’t throw away valuable equity just because you don’t want to come back short.” Hubbard finished 20th.
The Borgata Poker Open returns Sept. 2-19, featuring 24 tournaments. For the first time in Borgata’s history, there will be a multiday Ladies Championship with a $560 buy-in and a $25K guarantee. The BPO will kick off with the usual $560 buy-in $2M guarantee three-day event and end with the $3,500 buy-in $3M guarantee WPT Borgata Championship.
PARX: The seventh Big Stax series ran July 30-Aug. 18. Dozens of big-name pros and locals returning from Las Vegas made an appearance for the increasingly popular event, with a record-breaking number of registrants. Highlights and results will be recapped in the next issue.
MOHEGAN SUN: Ken Frey of Bethel, Conn., won the $100K guarantee Summer Showdown, earning $27K from the $1,100 main event. Jon Reinhardt of Danbury, Conn., was second ($22K).
— Email Jo Kim at anteupjokim@gmail.com.
