World Series of Poker champion Chris Moneymaker will begin a series of monthly events at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus.
“We are very pleased to have Chris Moneymaker as our pro poker ambassador,” poker room manager Matt Dodd said. “With this being the 10-year anniversary of his industry-changing world championship, we are extremely excited about this new relationship and the opportunity for our players to get to know one of poker’s most interesting characters.”
HOLLYWOOD TOLEDO: Its tournament numbers continue to grow. Bounty tournaments regularly top 85 players. Manager Peter Lau continues to give players the most options for tournaments in the state, including a monthly $300 buy-in event that features a first prize of $10K-plus.
Hollywood is fast becoming a poker room to which tournament players should pay close attention. Check the website for details and specifics on tournament action. This is the only casino offering pineapple tournaments and cash games. The first Sunday of every month $270 event continues to build momentum and prize pools.
HORSESHOE CASINO: The Horseshoe still offers two noon weekly tournaments ($200 and $100 rebuy) and $500 event at the end of the month. Overall, numbers have been sagging a bit with fewer than 90 players for last month’s $500 event. The good news is the WSOPC is coming in the fall. In cash games, PLO action is the best in the state with the most money on the table. Manager Chris Loscalso is working to build high-stakes action in all games. Cleveland offers consistent $2-$5 action in PLO and hold’em and spreads Omaha/8 almost daily. The 30-table room rarely has fewer than 20 tables running midweek, and tables are jammed Thursday-Sunday.
HOLLYWOOD COLUMBUS: Tournaments begin this month, and the poker room is planning to expand to accommodate demand. The room has the best game action in the state because players can buy to the biggest stack at the table and because there’s a huge population surrounding the casino. Plus, it’s a fun place to play.
BUCKEYE CHARITY: This room in Willoughby Hills features nightly tournaments at 7, and numbers as well as prize pools are growing. Most nights are seeing 50-plus players per event.
The $10 rebuy was chopped three ways for more than $650 per player in recent weeks. Players are enjoying the speed and features of the digital tables.
Buckeye offers lots of great mid-stakes action, but has yet to post a tournament buy-in more than $200. All weekly events are less than $100.
— Dan Harkenrider is Ante Up’s Ohio Ambassador. He hosts the Division of Poker and Chris Moneymaker radio shows. Email him at anteupdan@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @DivisionofPoker.
