Heartland Poker Tour's Annual Mile High Poker Open Promises Mountains of Cash
World Champ Greg “FossilMan” Raymer to Play at Golden Gates Casino & Poker Parlour
Black Hawk, CO – (August 15, 2012) Thousands of tournament poker players will make their annual trek up to scenic Black Hawk, Colorado next month for Heartland Poker Tour’s nationally-televised Mile High Poker Open at Golden Gates Casino and Poker Parlour. The largest stop on HPT’s national tour schedule, Golden Gates has shattered all prize pool records in the state of Colorado on previous HPT visits. For the event September 3-16, organizers expect players from at least 35 states to build a prize pool in excess of a million dollars.
“At every stop throughout the year, players say ‘See you in Colorado,’” said HPT’s Executive Producer Fred Bevill. “This event has become a reunion of sorts for HPT players nationwide.”
One contender in the field will be world champion Greg “FossilMan” Raymer. Fresh off his HPT victory in Albuquerque last month, Raymer hopes to continue the winning streak that began for him in 2004. The patent attorney made a name for himself in poker when he won the World Series of Poker Main Event that summer. The following year, Raymer finished 25th in the WSOP Main Event, securing his status as a poker legend. His two-year accomplishment ranks as one of most impressive performances in WSOP history.
A longtime supporter of HPT, Raymer has played the tour many times. “I just like the attitude and demeanor on HPT,” Raymer said, “Even if you knock someone out, they leave smiling.” His HPT victory in New Mexico was the second-largest tournament win of his career.
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.” HPT’s loyal following in Colorado will notice several new bonus events on the schedule for this year’s Mile High Poker Open. In addition to the nationally-televised Main Event, Golden Gates Casino and Poker Parlour will offer a series of non-televised cash tournaments with buy-ins from $130 to $310.
“The appetite for poker in Black Hawk peaks when HPT is in town,” said Poker Room Manager Joey Macaluso, “Our goal is to provide as many opportunities for players as we can throughout the event.”
Shannon Keel, General Manager at Golden Gates adds, “The bonus events add value to the experience for players traveling from out of market.” Records show players travel from at least thirty different states to play HPT at Golden Gates. The nationally-televised event is projected to bring an excess of a million dollars to the area through travel, lodging, food, and gaming expenses.
No stranger to Golden Gates, eleven previous HPT stops at the casino were hugely popular. Last October, the aptly-named Craig Casino of Winfield, Illinois beat out a field of 668 contenders to claim the coveted record-breaking championship for $293,270.
The Colorado event will be produced into two one-hour episodes to air nationwide this fall. Heartland Poker Tour is available on TV in over 100 million US households, including multiple broadcasts each week in the Denver area. The Final Table can be seen live on HPTPoker.com on September 17.
Qualifying rounds start September 3rd for those who hope to win their way into the Main Event. Players may also buy directly into the Main Event September 12-15, with play continuing September 16 until the field is reduced to six. The remaining six players will return for television production September 17, with thirteen high-definition cameras capturing all of the action until a champion is named.
Structures and schedules for the upcoming televised event can be found at hptpoker.com. Details and promotions will be announced through social media in the coming weeks. Follow @HPTPokerTour on Twitter and find HPT on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hptfans.
