Grand's $100,000 First Place Blackjack Prize Wows'Em

31 January 2006

By Rudi Schiffer

TUNICA, MS (Jan. 31, 2006)--Grand Casino certainly knows how to get the attention of serious and even amateur blackjack players when it announced it was holding a $150,000 blackjack tournament this weekend (Feb.3-5) but with a big kicker…first place was set at a whopping $100,000.

This exceeds by far first place money offered in any Southeastern regional big money blackjack tournament as the standard is usually about $50,000 for a final table win.

"We are dedicated to offering the best gambling experience to our guests, " said Darrell Pilant, Vice President of Operations for Grand Casino Resort here. "A blackjack tournament of this caliber is an exciting way for us to show our ongoing commitment to high stakes table game tournaments, following directly on the heels of the World Series of Poker Circuit event held here last week, and the $150,000 blackjack tournament held at our sister property, Sheraton, over the weekend."

Sometimes when large amounts of prize money are offered, they are usually at private, invitational only events for high level players but this is a public tournament with a $500 buy-in, which is low considering the huge first place prize. Making it even more interesting, there will be a $250 rebuy opportunity for the second round and prize money is guaranteed.

"We've found that players like the rebuy offering and in past tournaments they have availed themselves of this 'second chance,'" said Mike Tobias, director of table games. The number of tables will be determined by the number rebuying with a maximum of 18 players advancing to the third round. Rebuys will be limited to 126 players.

The tournament kicks off with a Gold Card Lounge reception on Friday, Feb. 3 and hors d' oeuvres and beverages will be served and the tournament gift distributed to attendees who have registered.

Players will receive $5,000 in tournament chips at the beginning of each round with the minimum bet of $100 and max bet of $2,500. After Saturday's three qualifying sessions the fourth round will be held on Sunday morning and will consist of thirty players on six tables of five players each. The top player from each table advances to the final table with one wild card player, making seven players competing for the $100,000. Second place pays $18,000, 3rd $7,000, 4th $5,000, 5th $4,000, 6th $3,000 and 7th, $1,500. Placers 8th through 31 receive $500 each.

For more information and to register call 1-877-305-PLAY (7529)