Talk about getting momentum...

With the World Series of Poker kicking off in Las Vegas, three local players got in a final tuneup in New Orleans, in what is billed as a "circuit event" before the WSOP.

Richard Kirsch of Fort Lauderdale finished 10th in the main event, earning $17,976. Kirsch is a regular player at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and has made the final table on World Poker Tour shows.

Andy Slater finished in 16th place, earning $13,982. Slater, who I've never met, apparently hosts a radio show on 640 AM, but I can't figure out when it airs. If you Google him, you get his Wikipedia page.

Maurice Hawkins, another Hard Rock regular with a solid resume, came in 29th, but apparently missed the money.

The casino employees' tournament was Wednesday; the $40,000 event starts Thursday.

If you're a local and you're out there reading, e-mail me when you cash. Good luck!