Las Vegas Nevada News Feed

Below are the odds from Johnny Avello, Wynn Las Vegas Director of Race & Sports Book Operations, on the next judges for American Idol.

• Steven Tyler – 7 to 5
• Randy Jackson – 5 to 2
• Jennifer Lopez – 3 to 1
• Kara Dioguardi – 15 to 1
• Jessica Simpson – 18 to 1
• Harry Connick Jr. – 20 to 1
• Paula Abdul – 22 to 1
• David Foster – 25 to 1
• Courtney Love – 30 to 1
• Sean “Diddy” Combs – 35 to 1
• Usher – 45 to 1
• Bret Michaels – 50 to 1
• Jamie Foxx – 60 to 1
• Elton John – 65 to 1
• Nigel Lythgoe – 75 to 1
• Chris Isaak – 85 to 1
• Victor Willis – 100 to 1
• Queen Latifah – 125 to 1
• Sharon Osbourne – 175 to 1
• Madonna – 250 to 1
• Justin Timberlake – 500 to 1
• Howard Stern – 1000 to 1

Please note that these are for entertainment purposes only. Wynn Las Vegas is not offering these betting odds to the public do to Nevada law which prohibits wagering on these type of events.

Comments(0)

The massive field of 7,319 players who entered the 41st annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event has been reduced to just nine competitors who will return to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in November to vie for the top prize of more than $8.9 million and the most coveted prize in poker – a WSOP gold bracelet. The “November Nine” include seven professional poker players, a medical supplies salesman and a private businessman.

ESPN, the exclusive broadcast provider of the WSOP, begins televising this year’s WSOP on Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET and will capture all the final table action at the end of its 16-week run of telecasts. The worldwide leader in sports will edit the two-day final table event taking place November 6-9 and televise it in a special program from 9 p.m.-11 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

The $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em World Championship, commonly referred to as the Main Event, is the culminating event of the 57-tournament schedule at the 2010 WSOP. The Main Event began July 5 with the second-largest playing field in history. (Only the 2006 WSOP Main Event, with 8,773 players, was larger.)

Upon making the final table, each of the November Nine received ninth place prize money of $811,823. The total final table prize money up for grabs is $29,032,637. The total Main Event prize pool was $68,798,600, with more than 700 players finishing “in the money.”

The November Nine, listed in descending chip count, are:

Jonathan Duhamel, a 22-year-old poker pro from Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. The former finance student learned to play poker from friends and has posted multiple top-20 finishes at major tournaments, including an earlier event at the 41st annual WSOP. Duhamel is the chip leader heading into the final table, boasting 65,975,000 in his stack.

John Dolan, a 24-year-old poker pro from Bonita Springs, Fla. Dolan, who is single, began playing poker in 2004. His poker ambition is “to win so much money that I only have to play when I want to.” Dolan enters the final table second in chips with 46,250,000.

Joseph Cheong is a 24-year-old poker pro from La Mirada, Calif. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Cheong earned a B.A. in psychology as well as a joint math and economics degree from the University of California at San Diego. Cheong, who moved to the United States when he was six years old, earned a major win at a WSOP Circuit event at Harrah’s Rincon prior to this deep run at the Main Event. He enters the final table with 23,525,000 in chips, good for third position.

John Racener is a 24-year-old poker pro from Port Richey, Fla. Racener is a self-taught player whose parents’ interest in the game contributed to his poker education. An accomplished pro whose career includes multiple WSOP final tables and a WSOP Circuit main event win at Harrah’s Atlantic City. Racener credits his success to the support of his parents, sister and friends. He enters the final table fourth in chips, with 19,050,000.

Matthew Jarvis is an accomplished online poker pro who began playing poker with friends six years ago. The 25-year-old from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, credits his success to reading poker books and plenty of “trial and error.” His 16,700,000 in chips is good for fifth place.

Filippo Candio is a professional poker player from Cagliari, Sardinia. The 26-year-old Italian started his poker career four years ago and has notched multiple impressive finishes at several international tournaments, including a first-place finish. He is currently sixth in chips, with 16,400,000.

Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi is easily the most accomplished poker player at the table. In addition to this final table appearance, Mizrachi won the $50,000 buy-in Poker Players Championship earlier in this year’s WSOP. The 29-year-old resident of Miami, Fla., already has more than $3 million in total WSOP and WSOP Circuit winnings. With a total of 18 poker titles on his resume, his total poker tournament winnings exceed $8 million. He enters the final table seventh in chips, with 14,450,000.

Cuong “Soi” Nguyen, 37, is a medical supply salesman from Santa Ana, Calif. Born in Vietnam, Nguyen’s best previous tournament finish was a cash in the 2009 L.A. Poker Classic. The single father of one began playing poker with friends 10 years ago. He is currently eighth in chips, with 9,650,000.

Jason Senti is a 25-year-old professional poker player from St. Louis Park, Minn. The married former engineer learned to play poker online in 2004. While he is proving his mettle in this No-Limit Hold’em tournament, his favorite variation of poker is Pot-Limit Omaha. He enters the final table as the short stack, with 7,625,000 in chips.

Brandon Steven, 36, of Wichita, Kansas, had the misfortune of busting in tenth position. The father of five and the 2007 National Leukemia Man of the Year missed making the Main Event final table by a single spot. He does take home $635,011 for his efforts.

In addition to the $811,823 ninth place money already paid to each member of the November Nine, the players will be looking to improve their winnings to:

8th place: $1,045,738 7th place: $1,356,708 6th place: $1,772,939

5th place: $2,332,960 4th place: $3,092,497 3rd place: $4,129,979

2nd place: $5,545,855 1st place: $8,944,138

ESPN’s coverage of the 2010 WSOP begins July 20, with Main Event coverage beginning Aug. 10. Original episodes will air weekly on Tuesdays through the Nov. 9 culmination of the Main Event. In all, the network will carry a total of 31 episodes.

Related Links:

Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino

Comments(0)

The 41st annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) proved impervious to the global economic slowdown, setting a host of new records as poker enthusiasts from 117 nations* traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the game’s grandest spectacle. While most live poker tournaments this year posted anemic results, the WSOP sharply reversed that trend, with a record 72,966 entries in 57 events creating the largest prize pool in WSOP history: $187,109,850.

The new all-time high in entrants surpassed by 20 percent the previous record of 60,875 set last year; this year’s record prize pool eclipsed the previous high of $180,774,427 set in 2008 by 3.5 percent. The amount of events offered in 2010 was identical to last year – 57.

For the third consecutive year, the WSOP both generated a total prize pool well in excess of $100 million and attracted players from more than 100 nations and territories. The 117 countries represented this year is up from 115 countries last year.

In the 41-year history of the WSOP, the prestigious tournament has now awarded more than $1.2 billion in prize money. (Actual figure is: $1,228,375,121).

Legions of amateur players competed alongside legendary poker pros, Hollywood A-listers and international sports figures to establish the new milestones. Among the notable non-poker playing names competing during this year’s WSOP included: Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria, Ray Romano, Shanna Moakler, Jerome Bettis, Shannon Elizabeth, Scott Ian, Trishelle Cannatella, Jennifer Tilly, Shane Warne, Robert Iler, Shawn Marion, Petter Northug, David Alan Grier, Sara Underwood and Brad Garrett.

The youngest player in this year’s WSOP was John May, who played Day 1-D of the Main Event, a day after his 21st birthday. The oldest player to participate in this year’s WSOP – or in any WSOP – is 97-year-old Jack Ury, who also played Day 1-D of the Main Event.

“By every measure, this was the most successful World Series of Poker in the event’s illustrious 41-year history,” said World Series of Poker Vice President Ty Stewart. “From the lowest buy-in events to the highest, we saw enormous player demand translate into lengthy registration lists and massive prize pools. As the WSOP Main Event progresses, we’re looking forward to creating several new multi-millionaires.”

Many within the poker community speculated that participation in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship – commonly referred to as the Main Event – would suffer from the weak performance of many international currencies as well as the effects of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act’s (UIGEA) June 1, 2010, enforcement deadline.

Nevertheless, the WSOP Main Event attracted its second-largest field ever, with 7,319 participants. As a result, the prize pool for the Main Event alone stands at $68,798,600 million, with the winner’s share amounting to $8,944,138.

In all, the 2010 WSOP hosted nine of the 17 largest tournaments in live poker history, including:

• Event #57 – 7,319 entrants – second-largest (only the 2006 WSOP Main Event was larger)

• Event #3 – 4,345 entrants – eighth-largest

• Event #54 – 3,844 entrants – tenth-largest

• Event #24 – 3,289 entrants – eleventh-largest

• Event #34 – 3,142 entrants – thirteenth-largest

• Event #47 – 3,128 entrants – fourteenth-largest

• Event #36 – 3,102 entrants – fifteenth-largest

• Event #45 – 3,097 entrants – sixteenth-largest

• Event #13 – 3,042 entrants – seventeenth-largest

In addition to overall participation and prize money, the 2010 WSOP established new records for:

Most million-dollar tournaments: Forty-four of 57 events in this year’s WSOP boasted a prize pool of $1 million or more, up 13 percent from the previous record (39 of 57 tournaments) set last year.

Largest Seniors event in history: Event #34 attracted 3,142 players, eclipsing by 16 percent the previous record of 2,707 set last year. Year-over-year event prize money was up nearly 15 percent from last year, jumping from $2,463,700 to $2,827,800.

Oldest player to participate: Jack Ury, 97 years old. Ury, who was born in March of 1913, continues to break his own record each year he participates in the Main Event.

Most consecutive years to cash at WSOP: Berry Johnston’s two in-the-money finishes this year (Events #4 and #45) give the 1986 World Champion cashes for 28 straight years, the most in history. His two cashes this year give him a total of 61 in-the-money finishes at the WSOP, placing him in fourth place all-time.

Largest live Pot-Limit Omaha tournament in history: Event #20 attracted 885 entries. The previous mark, set during Event #5 of the 2009 WSOP, was 809 entrants. The new record represents an increase of more than 9 percent.

Most consecutive years with multiple event winner: Frank Kassela’s two victories stretched the multi-event winner record to 11 consecutive years.

Biggest single day attendance ever: 3,097 players in Event #45.

Most consecutive annual WSOPs played: Howard “Tahoe” Andrew of Walnut Creek, Calif., extended his record for most consecutive years played at the WSOP: 37.

Largest amount of chips in play: This year’s WSOP Main Event featured a total of 219,570,000 million in chips. Because players in this year’s WSOP Main Event received chips valued at three times the buy-in ($30,000), the total chips in play exceeded the amount in the largest tournament ever, the 2006 Main Event, during which players received two-times the buy-in (20,000).

Most cashes at WSOP without a win: Tony Cousineau of Daytona Beach, Fla., extended his record as the player with the most cashes – 46 – without a win.

Related Links:

Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino

Comments(0)

Many would love the opportunity to play poker with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and the most skilled poker professionals. Now you can.

The 2010 Ante Up For Africa Celebrity-Charity Poker Tournament on Saturday, July 3 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas offers a special opportunity as the only event of its kind where the general public can participate.

Created by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and Celebrity Apprentice star and WSOP bracelet winner Annie Duke, the Ante Up for Africa tournament will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 3rd at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, home of the 41st Annual World Series of Poker® (WSOP).

This No-Limit Hold’em poker tournament has an entry fee of $5,000, and places players side-by-side with Hollywood hotshots, superstar athletes and poker professionals, battling it out in a unique charity tournament where you can walk away with a six-figure payday and contribute to a great cause too.

Celebrities and athletes all over are gearing up to return and will join poker’s most notable players to raise public awareness and funds which make a tangible impact on the ground in Africa. Through humanitarian assistance and policy work the organization seeks lasting solutions to Africa’s worst conflicts like the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan. In 2009, the WSOP attracted 60,875 entrants from 115 different countries and awarded over $174 million in prize money.

“It is an honor to be working with the WSOP and the Rio for the 4th year of Ante Up For Africa,” said Annie Duke. “We created this event to make a positive impact on the lives of those in Darfur and throughout Africa. I am delighted the event continues to grow every year boasting more celebrities, more players and more poker pros.”

Among those confirmed to participate, subject to availability, are: Cheadle, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Tracy McGrady, Brad Garrett, Hank Azaria, Ray Romano, Kenny Smith, and Sara Rue with many more in the process of being confirmed and expressing their interest to play. Also playing, subject to availability, will be poker professionals Howard Lederer, Erik Seidel, Phil Gordon, Andy Bloch, Chris Ferguson and Phil Hellmuth with many more to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The tournament will feature a fast-paced structure designed to complete the competition within five hours. Seating for the tournament is open to anyone age 21 or older. Players can register in person at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, or online up to two weeks prior to the event at www.wsop.com under the registration tab.

“We are so thankful to everyone who has participated in Ante Up For Africa throughout the years and are thrilled to have raised nearly $3 million to date to assist those in need,” said Don Cheadle. “We are making tremendous strides in raising awareness and hope this year’s tournament is a huge charitable success.”

This event, as is every World Series of Poker tournament, is open to the public for viewing and admission is free. The event will take place in the Pavilion Ballroom in the Rio Convention Center, with the WSOP Main Event, beginning just two days later on Monday, July 5th.

“This is a great cause and a great event,” said WSOP Vice President Ty Stewart. “Annie and Don have established quite a tradition with this event and we are honored to host it as part of the World Series of Poker.”

Cheadle, an accomplished poker player, and Duke, who has more than $4 million in tournament winnings, are committed to raising both public awareness about the tragedy in Darfur and funds to aid its victims.

Last week, Ante Up For Africa awarded two grants of $50,000 each to support the Eastern Congo Initiative founded by Ben Affleck and Water.org founded by Matt Damon – organizations focused on supporting local, community-based solutions to some of Africa’s greatest challenges.

Nevada Gaming laws prohibit money being given directly from the prize pool to the charity. Accordingly, in the previous events, many of the in the money finishers volunteered to donate half of their winnings to the charity and Ante Up for Africa encourages participants to do the same this year.

More information about the tournament is available at www.wsop.com. If you would like more information regarding the organization, please log onto www.anteupforafrica.org and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/anteupforafrica.

Related Links:

Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino

Comments(0)

The Biggest Loser – No, I’m not talking about that weight loss based TV show. Terrance Watanabe of Nebraska lost $189 MILLION dollars at various Harrah’s-owned casinos in 2007. To put that in perspective: You’d have to spend over 1/2 a million dollars each and every day for a year to burn though that much money! This information has become public because Watanabe is suing Harrah’s (Corporation) with claimes that they kept him boozed up, extended huge credit lines to him, and granted him extremely high table limits — much higher than other patrons.

Now as of yet (and as much as many new arrivals have tried), we aren’t yet a nanny state here in Nevada. We value the fact that humans are allowed to make their own decisions. Over my many year here, there have been numerous times when I asked the cocktail waitress for a water (instead of liquor). Cutting myself off. Same with how much I decide to gamble. I’ve been offered casino credit and turned it down. No one says I have to take the credit they extend.

As for betting limits, those are between you and the house. If you walk in with a million dollars in a suitcase and they allow you to bet it all on one hand of cards or roll of the dice, so be it. The contract is between you and them. In fact, certain bets like the front line in craps is called a contract bet because once you have made the bet, it stands until you win or lose.

Read the full story in the Review-Journal: Losses may make bettor state’s biggest whale – Nebraskan said to lose $189 million in 2007

Comment On This Story Below:

Comments(1)

As poker enthusiasts from around the globe make their annual trek to Las Vegas to test their skills and their bankrolls, Binion’s Gambling Hall, with an unmatched poker lineage in both years and reputation, will give players more of what they asked for during the 4th Annual Binion’s Poker Classic . Tournament play begins May 26 and features deeper stacks, more of the popular HORSE events, and an earlier Main Event.

“The Binion’s poker staff has a great relationship with the players, and we do everything we can to make the changes they ask for,” said Paul Campbell, Binion’s tournament director. “So for this year’s Classic, we made the chip stacks much deeper, we improved the structures, and we moved the two-day Main Event to June 30.”

All-in-all, Binion’s will seat players for 46 different games over 47 straight days ending July 11.

The ever-popular No Limit Hold’em is the most featured, with 31 events scheduled, including Ladies Only on June 9. Due to player demand, there will be three HORSE events this year on June 4, June 18, and July 9. The Main Event will take place earlier, slated for June 30, and has the highest buy-in of the Poker Classic at $1,000. Some events are as little as $100 buy-ins, while most fall within $150-$200 range.

Generally, the buy-ins at the Binion’s Poker Classic are about one-tenth of the World Series of Poker events. Registered players in this year’s Poker Classic also will be extended a special room rate at the Four Queens Hotel & Casino. To participate in any of the Binion’s Poker Classic events, players simply register the day of the event in which they would like to play. For No Limit Hold’em events, registration opens three hours prior to the start time. For all other games, registration opens two hours ahead of time. Last year, approximately 10,000 people played in the Poker Classic.

About Binion’s Poker
Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel, iconic among poker players for its unparalleled legacy in the game, opened the Hall of Fame Poker Room in October 2008. The poker room features 10 tables in a contemporary setting and some of the best deals in the game including $2 comps per hour of live poker play and tableside food service. Historic photos are spaced around the room with eleven 42 and 50-inch plasma televisions for player viewing and entertainment. The Binion’s Gallery of Champions and Poker Hall of Fame are located in the upscale concierge area. In addition to live play, Binion’s offers daily poker tournaments and various promotions throughout the year.

Related Links:

Binion’s Hotel and Casino

Comments Off

Maria Torres holding her check in front of the winning machine

On April 18, Four Queens customer, Maria Torres, was having fun playing $20 in her favorite slot machine, quarter Wheel of Fortune®. At around 6 p.m. she was looking up at the wheel waiting for it to spin, when an employee approached her and told her that she in fact had hit the jackpot for $257,405.68

Torres, who hails from California, is a frequent visitor to Las Vegas and plays regularly at the Four Queens. She plans to use her winnings for a down payment on a house.

The quarter Wheel of Fortune® jackpot is the latest of many MegaJackpots® that have hit at the Four Queens over the years.

About the Four Queens Hotel & Casino

Conveniently situated on the world-renowned Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas, the Four Queens Hotel & Casino offers the very best in action-packed casino gaming in an intimate environment that exudes friendliness, hospitality and fun. The Four Queens offers 695 newly remodeled guest rooms and suites, more than 1,000 slot and video poker machines and the very latest table games. The property is home to one of the most highly regarded gourmet restaurants in all of Las Vegas, Hugo’s Cellar. The award-winning dining, wine selection, and romantic atmosphere have made Hugo’s Cellar a favorite among Las Vegas locals and visitors for more than 30 years. For hotel accommodations or to make reservations at Hugo’s Cellar, call 800-634-6045. For more information or to book rooms online, go to www.fourqueens.com.

Related Links:

Four Queens Hotel & Casino

Comments Off

Cantor Gaming and KKLZ’s gregarious personality Mike O’Brian will host Mike’s Monster Match-Up, a series of poker tournaments, 6 – 8 p.m. Wednesdays from April 21 – July 7 at the Race and Sports Book inside M Resort Spa Casino .

The tournament uses the eDeck, a handheld mobile gaming device with seven games for the gambling enthusiast. Mike’s Monster Match-Up will utilize the eDeck games including video poker, Texas Hold’em and Caribbean Stud. The winner is ranked by highest handle and players have an opportunity to win a number of prizes. The evening will consist of four, 30-minute rounds with 25 players per round. The deposit is $50 and each first time player will receive a $50 bonus. O’Brian will give participants 30 minutes to play as many hands on the eDeck as possible.

Weekly Prizes: The first place winner will receive $100 in non-negotiable free play for his or her next visit, the second place winner will receive $75 in non-negotiable free play and the third place winner will receive $50 in non-negotiable free play.

Promotional Prizes: After the 12 weeks of the promotion, the first place winner will receive an iPad and Cantor Gaming goody bag ($600 value), the second place winner will receive a $150 gift card for dinner at an M Resort Spa Casino restaurant, a select bottle of wine and Cantor Gaming goody bag ($300 value) and the third place winner will receive a gift certificate to the Spa & Salon Mio, a select bottle of wine and Cantor Gaming goody bag ($200 value).

Participants must be U.S. residents and 21 years of age or older with government issued identification. Players are encouraged to register in advance for Mike’s Monster Match-Up Wednesdays by calling the M Race and Sports Book at 702.797.1000

Related Links:

M Resort Spa Casino

Comments Off

The Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Casino plays host to the inaugural Nathan Adelson Hospice Charity Poker Tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to compete against 1983 World Series of Poker (W.S.O.P.) Main Event bracelet winner Tom McEvoy.

The winner of the Nathan Adelson Hospice Charity Poker Tournament will receive live poker instruction from poker greats at the W.S.O.P. Academy in Las Vegas (a $1,800 value). Additional prizes and places will be determined based on the number of entries.

Raffles, door prizes and contests will take place throughout the evening. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the tournament is limited to 100 seats.

The buy in for the poker tournament is $60 and provides the player with $3,000 in tournament chips. During the first four rounds, participants will be able to purchase additional chips and add ons are permitted at any table. A portion of all proceeds raised from the tournament will go to the Nathan Adelson Hospice.

Businesses interested in sponsoring seats, tables or door prizes should contact Jeff VonAlst or Troy Tillet at 775-751-6508. Individuals with questions about the Nathan Adelson Hospice should call Tonya Brum at 775-751-5601.

The Nathan Adelson Hospice was formed as a non-profit program to provide quality care and compassionate support for patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and life expectancy that can be measured in weeks or months, rather than years. For additional information about the Nathan Adelson Hospice, visit http://www.nah.org/.

Follow the Pahrump Nugget on Facebook and for more information visit http://www.pahrumpnugget.com/.

Comments Off

What happens when you combine the greatest legend in the game of poker with the ultimate party house in the United States? Well poker players at Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel have a chance to find out for themselves. Poker Television Network and Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel are teaming up for the “Millionaire Experience” poker extravaganza. Tournament winners will feel like celebrities as they are whisked away in a private jet to party through the day and night at the Playboy Mansion on Saturday, September 12.

Binion’s will host a series of qualifying tournaments each Sunday and Wednesday leading up to a final tournament on Friday, September 11. For every 50 players registered in qualifying tournaments, one Playboy Mansion package will be awarded. Package winners will receive free accommodations at Binion’s, luxury transfer to and from the Las Vegas airport, a private jet to Los Angeles, and luxury transfer to the Playboy Mansion where they will rub elbows with the celebrity party crowd at a catered reception featuring gourmet food and drinks. After the reception, Binion’s winners will have ringside seats for a televised professional boxing match. But the party doesn’t stop there. After the festivities at The Mansion, it’s time to jet back to Vegas for another free night at Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel.

There are qualifying tournaments on Sundays and Wednesdays throughout August until September 9. Registration opens for each qualifier at 10:00 a.m. for a noon start time. Buy in is $240 for 8,000 starting chips with a $100 rebuy for 8,000 chips available any time in the first hour. After the qualifying rounds are complete, all package winners will compete in the final tournament at Binion’s famed poker room on September 11 for the chance to add significant cash payouts to their “Millionaire Experience” trip to the Playboy Mansion.

The newly formed Poker Television Network, the first all-poker, all-the-time television network, will be on hand to film all of the action, from qualifying through the big party at the Playboy Mansion on September 12.

Related Links:

Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel

Comments Off