Bellagio Hosting Big-Time Tournament Series

Brought to fruition by Doug Dalton, Bellagio's director of poker operations; Jack McClelland, Bellagio's poker host and tournament director; and Mirage Resorts' President Bobby Baldwin, Bellagio's new tournament series is the best of both worlds for the high-end tournament player. With the high-stakes action that is usually reserved for the world's largest tournaments, and the gorgeous setting that only a world-class resort such as Bellagio is able to provide, this tournament series aims to revolutionize big buy-in tournaments, with guaranteed prize pools of $250,000 and $1 million.

There are going to be nine more tournaments in this series (the first having been completed by press time), and the schedule is as follows:

With guarantees like these, it's no wonder the tournament poker world has been abuzz with talk of little else lately. And, of course, these tournaments are made even more glamorous by the setting in which they are being played.

Located in the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip and inspired by the idyllic villages and towns of Europe, Bellagio overlooks a Mediterranean-blue eight-acre lake featuring a magnificent ballet of dancing fountains. Choreographed to music and lights, the fountains are a prelude to the remarkable sights that await guests.

Within Bellagio are unrivaled dining experiences, a world-class art gallery, exquisite gardens, Cirque du Soleil's stunning performance of O, luxurious spa services, and an elegant casino. The resort was ranked the No. 4 hotel in the world and No. 3 in the continental United States and Canada in Travel & Leisure's 2001 World's Best Awards.

Bellagio was recently given AAA's coveted Five-Diamond rating. The 3,005 lavishly appointed guest rooms and suites feature Italian marble floors and surfaces, along with a minibar, plush robes, and soaking tubs. Business travelers enjoy conveniences such as computer- and fax-accessible data ports and multiple telephone lines.

In the European tradition, guests may unwind at Spa Bellagio or Salon Bellagio, and can visit the Gallery of Fine Art to view exquisite works created by history's most famous artists in exhibitions produced exclusively for this venue. For added pleasure, guests may enjoy any one of six pools or spas, lounge amid lush gardens, or stroll through Via Bellagio – a top-scale shopping promenade featuring Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Fred Leighton, Hermès, Gucci, and Yves Saint Laurent.

While exploring Bellagio, one can indulge in a variety of upscale dining experiences. At Mobil Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond Picasso, guests dine amidst original works by the modern master. Also available is seafood at Mobil Four-Star Aqua, and French cuisine at Mobil Four-Star Le Cirque. Other restaurant choices include Circo, specializing in Northern Italian fare, Prime Steakhouse's delectable steaks and chops, and Todd English's Mediterranean Olive's.

Nightly, Cirque du Soleil's imaginative production spectacular O – performed in, on, and above water – awes guests. The genius, originality, and creative energy of this world-renowned theatrical company are presented in a theater reminiscent of the Paris Opera House.

Additionally, Bellagio provides business meeting planners and attendees an extraordinary level of product and service in an elegant atmosphere. With more than 125,000 square feet of meeting space that includes two large ballrooms and 16 meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the resort is able to accommodate all types of events for groups of up to 5,000 people.