The resurgence in the interest of poker at the Palace Casino will continue with the start of a new ‘summer league’, building on the success of the recent winter league which saw the winner walk off with a ?1,000 top prize.
In November 2000, the then Hilton Hotel and Casino hosted the biggest poker tournament to be held in the UK, with a 1st prize of ?1 Million guaranteed. ‘Poker Million I’ was sponsored by Ladbrokes and Matchroom Sport, with the Final table of Poker Million airing live on Sky Sports and attracting 30 million viewers worldwide, making it one of the most watched live sporting events of its time.
For almost twelve years after ‘Poker Million I’, the poker scene at the Best Western Palace Hotel and Casino all but disappeared before being brought back in a series of weekly tournaments from October last year. The tournaments grew increasingly popular week after week through to December, when the decision was made to create a new winter poker league.
The league took place every Monday night over 12 weeks, with 10% of the prize pool being withheld each week to contribute to the final table prize pool, along with ?1,000 added by the Casino. The first tournament was held on January 7th, with the top 10 players after the 12-week league period being invited to participate in the Grand Final on March 31st, for a chance to win a share of the prize pool.
After a tense start to the final, it took more than two hours for the first player to be eliminated before the top three spots were claimed. Bruce Williamson came in 3rd, followed by Adam Kelly in 2nd, and the much sought-after 1st place and title of Palace Casino Winter League Champion went to Sam Kenny.
Following the huge success of the winter league, poker is certainly here to stay at the Best Western Palace Hotel and Casino. The Palace Casino will host a summer league in 2013, following the same format as the winter league, beginning after TT week on 10th June.
But players don’t have to wait till then to savour the excitement of competition – individual tournaments are being held every Monday evening in the Casino, and will continue up until the start of the summer league. Registration for the Monday tournaments is from 5.45pm-6:45pm; with a huge following and limited spaces available, make sure you get in early to avoid disappointment.
An added incentive for the 2013 summer league is that the winner will receive a seat at the Pokerstars UKIPT main event, to the value of ?1,100.This tournament is due to begin on October 31st this year and will be held at the Villa Marina under the Palace Casino’s gaming licence. Look out for further details to be released closer to the event.
