Editor’s note: Ante Up refrained from publishing its April issue because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While most of the news in the issue would have been obsolete, we are publishing online what we deem still newsworthy. There’s no predicting the future so while we may be mentioning some upcoming events, there is a very good chance they will be canceled as well. So, be sure to double check with poker rooms before returning to them.
The Heartland Poker Tour, which ran Feb. 5-17 at Golden Gates in Black Hawk, Colo., had 471 entries for its main event. Bob Reiter took home $157,614 for the victory after three hours of heads-up play.
The Reiters have new baby, so part of the prize money is going to necessary items.
“Definitely some diapers,” he said “We gotta get him some onesies also. We didn’t know it was going to be a boy and we only have girls’ clothes right now.”
Second went to Tan Hoang ($96K), who had back-to-back HPT Black Hawk runner-up finishes. Third was Taylor Black ($63K), followed by former HPT Black Hawk champ Thomas Fuller ($44K). Eli Loewenthal ($33K) and George Medina ($25K) rounded out the final-table finishes.
The MSPT returns to Golden Gates for a $1,100 main event April 13-19.
AMERISTAR: Play four hours in one day and get a special poker rate in the Black Hawk hotel.
MIDNIGHT ROSE: Enjoy spending weekends in Cripple Creek, where a variety of deepstack tournaments are offered.
Join the League for a $125 Friday night tournament. On Saturdays, the Rapid Fire rebuy is a 20K deepstack with $20 rebuys until the first break.
In Sunday’s Meganormous tournament, players get 50K chips for $120 (late/re-entry). Play 5.5 hours of live play on Wednesday or Thursday and stay that night free (based on availability).
Frozen bad-beat runoffs are scheduled monthly so call the poker room for details.
Oklahoma-Kansas
WINSTAR WORLD: The Presidents Day River Series in February had seven events and was well-attended as the $500 main event drew 639 entries for a $237,439 prize pool. Chuck Barker bested the field, earning $40K-plus. Three players chopped the $400 monster stack Mstr Lynch, Jerry Randack and Joel Woods each took home $13,057.
CHOCTAW CASINO DURANT: The WPT was supposed to return April 30-May 18, with the main event May 15-18. The final six players will finish in Las Vegas on May 29.
AMERISTAR: Players earn $1 an hour comps and a $15 food voucher for four consecutive hours of play in the 13-table room. Promotions include a variety of mini-bad-beats, earning the loser a minimum of $250.
HOLLYWOOD CASINO KANSAS SPEEDWAY: There’s a high-hand rollover every day in this 12-table room, which is open 24 hours and features a variety of games, including a $25-$50 mixed game on Tuesdays at 1.
CHEROKEE CASINO WEST SILOAM SPRINGS: The 14th annual Ozark Championship concluded its 27-event series at the end of February. Cody Cunningham of Russellville, La., bested the 199-entry field, for $8,693 of the $61,690. As for promotions, this eight-table room has a quads-or-better progressive jackpot.
HARD ROCK TULSA: Elite Poker Rewards continue through September. There’s a monthly $10K tournament on the first Sunday of each month for $160 at noon. Results from the March WSOPC weren’t complete at press time.
RIVERWIND: This enclosed 17-table room offers $50 high hands Mondays, $100 splash pot Tuesdays (1-5 p.m.) on $2-$5 games and $100 high hands on Wednesday and Thursday during select times. There are several weekly tournaments culminating with a last Saturday of the month $330 NLHE re-entry.
Arizona
HON-DAH CASINO: On Feb. 2, Don Scott won the Tournament of Champions for $700.
WILD HORSE PASS: Every Saturday will have a $65 turbo in the evening in addition to regular daily tournaments sunrise splash pots Monday-Friday.
DESERT DIAMOND WEST VALLEY: The new poker room is in Glendale and has 36 tables and 27 big-screen TVs. Games include hold’em, Omaha, Omaha/8 and stud. Look for tournaments starting soon.
Texas
TEXAS CARD HOUSE: The Austin-based private club has plans to open two venues in Dallas. After denying TCH’s initial request for the last year, the Dallas City Council approved Dallas’ first official poker room.
SA CARD HOUSE: This San Antonio establishment hosted its inaugural Valentine’s weekend tag-team event Feb. 15. The $10K guarantee had a $250-per-team buy-in as Leo Shusterman and Paul Espinoza won the title.
PRIME SOCIAL CLUB: The seventh annual Mansfield Ed Tessaro tournament is May 20 (6-10 p.m.). Visit primesocialtx.com.
New Mexico
ISLETA CASINO: The poker room has tournaments for $10-$50 starting at 2 or 7 p.m.
SANDIA CASINO: The poker room has tournaments throughout the week at 7 p.m. Monday is the Sprint for ($45, 4,500 chips); Tuesday is NLHE ($65, 6,500 chips); Wednesday is Dash for Cash ($35, 3,500 chips) Thursday is $75 bounty (7,500 chips, $25 bounties); Friday is More Bang For Your Buck ($100, 10K chips) and Sunday at noon ($50, 5K chips). The first Saturday of each month is Ladies Night ($60, 6K chips).
ROUTE 66 CASINO: Daily $28 tournaments with a $5 add-on run at noon, 3 and 7. The events on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays pay bounties. There’s a tournament bad-beat jackpot for all events. Ask about the player-of-the-year promotion and the $5K freeroll for the top 50 players. Don’t forget about Aces Cracked, which pays $50 for same-color pocket aces losing and $25 for mixed aces.
