Heartland Poker Tour Returns to Lumière Place and River City Casino End of September
When Heartland Poker Tour first stopped at the top two casinos in St. Louis earlier this year, prolific poker pro Will “The Thrill” Failla gave producers one of the most memorable episodes in HPT’s eight-year broadcast history. He dominated a star-studded field of 328 players including Phil Hellmuth, Chris Moneymaker, and Grammy-winning artist Nelly to secure the six-figure championship. Organizers anticipate a fifteen percent increase in participation when HPT returns to Lumière Place Casino & Hotels and River City Casino Sept 21-30th for another nationally-televised event.
“All the pieces are in place for an even bigger event in September,” said HPT’s Executive Producer Fred Bevill.
Moneymaker will make a return visit for the upcoming event, as will famed pros Dennis Phillips and Greg “Fossilman” Raymer. Attracting both pro players and poker enthusiasts alike, HPT aims to award “life-changing” money at tour stops throughout the U.S., serving the mission, “Real People, Unreal Money.” To date, 105 champions grabbed the glory while HPT’s cameras captured their moment for national television.
In addition to the lure of “life-changing money” and national TV exposure, players will be treated to some VIP perks in St. Louis. To make meal breaks as efficient as possible, River City Casino will offer an expanded menu at a dedicated dining cart in the tournament area and reserve special seating at the popular buffet on property.
“We are pleased with the way our staff accommodated over five thousand players for this event in March,” said Lumière Place Poker Room Manager Anthony Chester, who will again serve as the tournament director, “We’ve made many upgrades to prepare for six thousand players in September.”
Ten tournament tables have been added, as well as a dedicated registration area for single table satellites. By popular request, bonus tournaments with cash prizes are on the schedule during the 10-day series. The complimentary shuttle service has been expanded to transport players between River City and Lumiere Place more frequently. Lumière Place will roll out the red carpet with a special hotel rate for HPT players.
As HPT’s most recent champion, Greg Raymer will also get the red-carpet treatment. Widely recognized for his holographic glasses, Raymer made a name for himself in poker in 2004 when he won the World Series of Poker Main Event, then went on to secure his rank as a legend the following year. As the defending champ, he finished 25th in the 2005 WSOP Main Event. This two-year accomplishment is considered one of the most impressive performances in poker history. The world champ is hoping for another back-to-back run on HPT.
Raymer’s HPT win was the second highest-earning title of his career and puts him in the running for HPT’s Player of the Year. Concurrent with the calendar year, all players who cash in an HPT Main Event are ranked for Player of the Year points. The 2012 POY will receive six HPT Main Event buy-ins of $1650 each and hotel accommodations for up to five nights at six events. With just seven stops remaining in 2012, the POY competition is heating up. Illinois chiropractor Gary “Lambo” Lambert leads with two significant cashes this year. Raymer is currently tied for sixth place with eight other HPT champions of Season 8. Like Lambert, he plans to play many of the remaining events of the season.
By special arrangement with Lumière Place, Raymer will share the secrets of his success during a seminar from 10 am to 6pm on September 26that the Lumière Place Theater. Players can win a spot in the seminar, valued at $300, through single table satellites September 21st – 25th. Any remaining seats will be available for purchase on the 26th and will include a private lunch with Raymer for seminar attendees.
Also beginning September 21st, players can take a shot at the championship for as little as $50 in qualifying rounds. The Main Event begins with Day One flights September 28-29th. Day Two concludes September 30th when the field is reduced to six. The remaining six players will return for television production October 1st, with thirteen high-definition cameras capturing all of the action until a champion is named. The tournament schedule is available at HPTpoker.com.
By the Numbers: Organizers anticipate HPT’s next stop in St Louis will follow growth trends similar to tour numbers nationwide.
Lumière Place Casino & Hotels and River City Casino, March 2012:
33 Players in the Money
328 Players in the Main Event
956 Players in Qualifiers
1650 Main Event Buy in
5180 Total Participants for the March Series of Events
119,064 First-Place Money
476,256 Total Main Event Prize Pool
1,038,276 Total Awarded in the 10-Day Series
