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Gaming NewsBally's Blackjack Tournament on Tap2 January 2004By Rudi Schiffer Now that you have all that cash from redeemed Christmas presents that you could have done without, and before the tax man cometh in April, think about playing in a tournament where the prize money is high and the odds low. And as a bonus, you'll have a lot of fun competing.
We're talking about one of our favorite events, Bally's Ultimate Blackjack Tournament which kicks of 2004 with the first big money event of the season on Feb. 6-8.
"This is the first of three we will hold this year,"said Adolph Lepre, director of table games for the Tunica Resorts Casino. "And while we offer a total of $125,000 prize money based on 200 participants, recent history suggests we will exceed those figures."
Lepre, who has been involved in most of the 22 past tournaments at Bally's, quoted figures from the previous tournament which set records when some 268 players registered beating the previous mark of 238. The increase puffed up the pot and a total of $159,000 was paid out with a record first place prize of $65,000 and second place money of $24,000.
"That was a great turnout,"said Tournament Director Andy West. "The economy was starting to gain speed and I guess folks were just ready to get out and play and it showed. With the way the economy is going now, we hope to top those numbers but that remains to be seen. At the very least, however, we do guarantee the $50,000 first place money and a weekend of competition and fun."
The Bally's event, themed this time as the "Fabulous Fifties," includes a comp two-night hotel stay, a welcome reception, breakfast, a private dinner which is always a festive occasion replete with gourmet food, cigars and entertainment in the Silo, and a special tournament gift. All that is included in the $500 entry fee. The top 35 finishers win $500, in essence getting their investment back with all the comps on the house.
The event attracts a lot of regular players who have competed in most of Bally's tournaments since their inception and besides being a very sociable affair, Bally's makes it even more player friendly by kicking in $25,000 so it is a full equity event.
"We like to think we offer the best blackjack tournament in the USA, and our repeat business and new players seem to bear that out,"said Lepre.
Entries are already coming in at a fast rate and to register just call 1-80038BALLY, ext. 1511, ask for ACE. Heard it on the River is published courtesy of Jackpot Magazine, the South's leading gaming newspaper. |
Rudi Schiffer |