Bellagio Tournament Receives Rave Reviews

Add me to the list of people who have given Bellagio rave reviews for its inaugural tournament. David Levi played great for three days to capture the title. (See Page 101 for complete results). Notwithstanding my personal dismal performance, it was fun for all and a great example of how to give players value for their entertainment dollar.

Because Bellagio's concept is quite different from most, allow me to explain the setup. For starters, there is an entire schedule of big buy-in tournaments that are comprised of one event only and take three days to play during the middle of the week (see the Bellagio ad on Page 21).

For example, the first tournament was a $3,000 no-limit hold'em event that took place Tuesday-Thursday, April 16-18. The entry fee was only $100, each player started with $6,000 in tournament chips, and there were 90-minute rounds. Only five rounds are played the first day, which allows people to have the evening free. The second day plays down to the final table, which again allows even the remaining players to be free in the evening.

Because the tournaments are daytime, midweek events, Bellagio is able to stage them in its regular poker room, which tends to be full in the evening and on the weekend. This creates a marvelous buzz in the room.

It's a great setting. As is Bellagio's style, the venue is immaculate, the cards terrific, the chips brand-new, the tables as plush as poker tables get, and the chairs resemble those of a fancy restaurant more than those of a poker room.

Even the satellites are upscale. With lots of chips and time in each round, they last two and half to three hours each.

In order to keep people abreast of the final-table action, I personally posted updates on www.CardPlayer.com several times an hour during the final day, and will continue that practice.

Bellagio is intentionally endeavoring to be the best of tournaments, not the biggest, and it's off to a great start.

Bellagio's next tournament will be a five-day $10,000 buy-in (plus $200 entry fee) event, commencing Monday, May 27. Players will receive $20,000 in tournament chips and there will be two-hour rounds. The prize pool guarantee is $1 million. See you there.