Hard Rock goes to $15K-plus guaranteed poker tournaments
Looks like poker might be slightly morphing again at the Hard Rock.
Poker players have had to adjust when the casino added blackjack; many of the less-skilled players migrated to '21,' some players say. And the $100 buy-in cash game can become too much of an all-in fest.
So the casino's poker room began offering multi-table tournaments with guaranteed prize money in December and they will continue in January and February. You gotta make the top 10 percent to hit the money. Starting chip stack is 8,000 units.
At 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5 and 19, is a $25,000 guarantee with a buy-in of $300. It's been drawing 120 to 160 entrants, Hard Rock officials say.
At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 and 27 is a $15,000 guarantee with a $150 buy-in. It's been attracting 140 to 200 players.
At 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9 and 23 is a $30,000 guarantee for a $150 buy-in. Normal crowd has been 250 to 300.
For info, call the Hard Rock.
NICK SORTAL began playing 3-card "gut" and "Indian poker" on high school band trips, moved on to "night baseball" and "pass the trash" during a Dr. Pepper-infused midnight game in the 1980s at the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, and now play in a regular neighborhood Hold 'Em game in Plantation. I have been given the assignment of writing about the gambling life in South Florida casinos for the Sun-Sentinel...which means sitting around watching poker on TV now counts as research.
