Chaos In Punta Cana as 1st Prize Likely to be Near $200K

With close to 450 registered to play at this year’s Punta Cana Poker Classic, Gambling911.com can confirm that another close to 100 walk-ins arrived late in the evening Tuesday.  With the combined registrations and walk-ins, this year’s $500,000 guaranteed Punta Cana Poker Classic could present a prize of close to $180,000, officials suggested.   

The 1800-room Hard Rock Hotel and Casino where the event was taking place was filled to capacity and Walk-ins were being provided with a wrist band to enjoy the amenities at the host hotel while being put up at a neighboring resort. 

“The guarantee was $500,000 and this was already exceeded well above $600,000,” organizers told Gambling911.com.

Players from America’s Card Room (and those from DoylesRoom.com, which ACR purchased), Bookmaker, BetCRIS, BetDSI.com, Bodog and 5Dimes were all taking part in this year’s event.

Bodog Poker sent all of its pros including newly signed Amanda Leatherman, Evelyn Ng and Tatjana Pasalic.  The uber popular Costa Rican poker pro Humberto Brenes was also in attendance.

“Because the resort is at full capacity, we anticipate more walk-ins from the current guest pool along with a number of locals,” organizers said.  “When people see the number of registrants and guarantee, more will enter last minute.”

The Classic kicks of Wednesday evening.  Gambling911.com is in Punta Cana covering the latest updates as they happen. 

- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher