The World Series of Poker Circuit has been canceled in Cincinnati, marking the third time this has happened in Ohio and the fourth overall in the circuit’s history. The issue was security camera coverage.
In 2013, the Horseshoe Casino held the first circuit event in Ohio but was told afterward by the OCCC that the surveillance setup wasn’t sufficient for future events.
Seth Palansky, vice president of corporate communications for the WSOP, was frustrated by the events, going so far as to say on Twitter that he didn’t see how the WSOPC could ever return to Ohio.
He pointed out that the WSOP in Las Vegas has one camera for four tables and the final proposal made to the OCCC, according to Palansky, included four cameras per table, but the OCCC did not think that was enough. For its part, the OCCC stands in a tough spot. The regulations in place were jointly negotiated and open for debate by both casino groups in Ohio.
The OCCC said Horseshoe Cincinnati made no request for wavier, no formal requests for hearings to have regulations changed or reviewed.
In other news, the region is losing a talented poker room manager. Jason Newman has moved on from Horseshoe Cincinnati to take an executive position with the Seminole Tribe in Hollywood, Fla.
Minnesota
RUNNING ACES: Ervin Bjerga of Motley, Minn., won the Mid-States Poker Tour’s main event, which ran Feb. 6-8.
Five of the top-10 finishers had six-figure career earnings before making the final table while the remaining five would earn their career largest cash.
Bjerga tripled his career cash total after adding the $91,941 for the event’s top spot.
Bjerga entered the final table fifth in chips. By the time play was three-handed, he had garnered the chip lead. Bjerga went on to defeat Mike Schneider and James Maxey to take home the trophy. The MSPT had 354 entrants and generated a $340K prize pool.
CHECK SHOVE POKER: Running Aces Harness Park hosts the inaugural Check Shove Poker Tour event April 1-5. There are three events with buy-ins ranging from $240 to $750.
Wisconsin
HO-CHUNK GAMING: The Mid-States Poker Tour visited the Wisconsin Dells property for the sixth time. However, this time the event was branded the Wisconsin State Poker Championship, a tournament that attracted 463 players and saw local Ben Wiora take down the title for $114,512.
POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CASINO: The property will host its second MSPT stop April 4-12. The $1,100 main event begins April 10. Last year, Jason Zarlenga topped a state-record 487 entrants to win the title for $120,164.
MENOMINEE TRIBE: The tribe tried to block a planned Ho-Chunk casino in Beloit as part of its Kenosha gambling proposal, which Gov. Scott Walker ultimately rejected. As a result, the tribe has switched gears and is essentially saying, “No poker, then send us your tokers.” That’s because, in place of a casino, it is considering a marijuana legalization effort.
STATE RECORD: The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Helpline reported 14,731 calls in 2014, which set a record, surpassing 14,604 calls in 2009.
The World Series of Poker Circuit returns to the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on April 9-20. This is a monster event with 50 tournaments, including 12 ring events.
Most of these are NLHE tournaments at various buy-in levels, culminating in the $1,675 main event. Some schedule highlights: A $365 Omaha/8 ring event on April 13 at 5 p.m. and a $250 PLO event the next day at 5 p.m.
There is a $250 seniors ring event April 12 at 10 a.m. and a $250 ladies pendant event at 4 p.m. April 19. The main event’s final table is noon April 20.
Iowa
RIVERSIDE CASINO: The WPT DeepStacks event runs April 29-May 3. There will be a lot of satellites at various stakes and the $1,100 main event will have a $100K guarantee.
PRAIRIE MEADOWS: There will be a WSOP main-event satellite April 19 at noon. The buy-in is $200 with first place winning the $10K entry and $2K for expenses.
Chicagoland
ROCKFORD CHARITABLE GAMES: Greg Raymer, who was in town hosting a poker seminar, played in the $35 Night Owl tournament. Players had a memorable experience as the 2004 champ signed autographs, posed for pictures and chatted with the players.
MAJESTIC STAR: Indiana House Bill 1540 will authorize riverboats to move inland to adjacent properties. Majestic Star plans to invest between $95M-$135M on a gaming facility next to its riverboats.
The bill, which will allow dealers at horse-track casinos, has passed the House and is now being considered in the Senate.
AMERISTAR EAST CHICAGO: High-hand promotions are on select Mondays and Saturdays as hourly payouts are $540 Saturdays and $500 on Mondays for players with a full boat or better. Call the poker room at 219-378-3534 for more details.
Seniors tournaments are $150 starting at 12:15 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month.
Also, the Heartland Poker Tour will be April 30-May 11. See the ad on the facing page for more details.
Nick Jivkov won the $300 NLHE opener of the Ameristar Poker Challenge for $22K. The prize pool was $97K with 378 players. Joel Casper beat Dustin Wolf for the heads-up championship and Floyd Roberts won the seniors event with David Wexler runner-up.
Michigan
FIREKEEPERS CASINO: The poker room will host the Mid-States Poker Tour on May 9-17. The main event will have a $200K guarantee. See the ad on this page for more information.
The property also hosts a $240 event on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m.
MOTOR CITY CASINO: Look for a $240 event on the first Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. S
Meet Miranda Miller
For many circuit grinders, Miranda Miller, a terrifically self-titled independent traveling dealer, is a welcome sight at the tables. Based out of Joplin, Mo., Miller started dealing poker in casinos in 2007 at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla. In 2013 and 2014, she dealt the final table at the World Series of Poker Main Event, including the final hand in 2013. She also dealt the aces vs. aces hand in the 2014 WSOP One Drop event involving Connor Drinan and Cary Katz.
What do you enjoy about dealing? I have the best seat in the house. I’m very humble about having the opportunity to meet the people that I have and being a part of history.
Speaking of history, wasn’t it hard to keep it together when you deal a hand like the aces vs. aces hand? We have to remain as stoic as possible, but I just have a feel for what’s going to happen. But if you could have seen my face when that fourth heart came out to give Katz the flush; I felt it was coming and then to see it come out. — Robert Kelly
