Mississippi casino holding $20,000 blackjack tournament

31 October 2011

By Rudi Schiffer

Cash is king and VP Adolph Lepre knows that and to that end has cooked up a $20,000 guaranteed cash first place pot for Fitzgeralds Casino Hotel - Tunica's Mississippi’s Hot Hands blackjack tournament that is now on us, this Thursday and Friday (Nov. 4-5).

“Promo cash and the like have their place,” said Lepre, “but this an event that a lot of long and tried tournament players will only come for cash and that’s the way it should be.”

It got my attention and this long and tried tournament player will come out of tournament hibernation to take a shot at some cash. Prizes are awarded for places 2-7 as well and will be based on a sliding percentage of the total money collected from the $150 buy-in and two rebuys, where a player who loses in the first round can buy back and chase the money.

Lepre, the guru of blackjack tournaments, who has staged more Tunica events that I can remember playing in , also said registered players can get a comp room as well.

Shane Poe is tournament director for the HOT HANDS tournament and recommends players registered Friday from 5-8 p.m. but if not, do it Saturday from 8-10 a.m.. The best way is to call in when you read this to make sure you are entered and have your room reserved at 1-866-351-2515, and mention BJAK1110. You can also talk to your host.

I’ve attended tournaments at the Fitz where players have traveled from afar to play. There’s a regular gang of cowboys who show up from Oklahoma, I met two Russians on the tournament trail, and lotus lovers from California, not to mention regulars from New Orleans, Canada and New York. Most of them come because of Adolph whose personality is bigger than his waistline. He has a loyal following and I am one of those who worship at his Altar of Blackjack.

Of course, we all like Big A but we like him more when his company puts up significant cash prizes. And think about this. Any serious players is going to wager much more than the $150.00 entry fee on one trip so why not play in a tournament where you can win a lot more and lose less. Not to mention that tournament play is challenging and exciting where you get to forget Basic Strategy and split tens and blackjacks, hit a 19 against dealer’s upcard ten, and more.

In the end, tournaments are great fun with a great chance to win some real cash for a change.