Mega Stack Poker Preview

by Bodog Poker | Aug 3 2009

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas will be the setting for the 2009 Mega Stack Poker Showdown. Play begins on August 7 and will run until the last event wraps up on the 24th. In total there are 18 events that will be played, peaking with the $2500 Main Event on the 22nd. The tournament is a joint effort between the Canadian Poker Tour and the World Poker Showdown, with the goal to provide poker players with what they've been asking for; more value for their playing dollar. The events will range from $340 up to the $2,650 main event.

The events are getting a lot of attention because of the structure that organizers have announced will be in place. Players will get 50,000 in starting chips and generous 75-minute blind levels. "It's been the one crying call made by all tournament players," says Kelly B. Kellner, President of the Canadian Poker Tour. "They want more chips and longer blind levels and we're giving them that."

Organizers are hoping for a big turnout despite the event being so close to the WSOP. They're banking on attracting some of the WSOP action that enjoyed the deeper stacks that were given to entrants this year. "It's tremendous value and promotes skill," notes Herb Van Dyke, owner of the World Poker Showdown. "With this structure players can be assured lots of play and a professional event run by our top-notch tournament directors."

Part of the attraction of this tournament is "The Canadian Invasion", as players from across the country will be travelling to Las Vegas courtesy of a 10% discount on airfares from WestJet Airlines, and a special $99 room rate at the Hard Rock Hotel. On top of that, all events will award qualifying points for the CPT's 'Player of The Year' race.

Some of the world's best players like Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak, Brad Booth, Huck Seed, and Joe Hachem have been playing in the CPT events over the last couple of years. The 2009 Vegas location is sure to have even more big name professionals in attendance knowing that Canadian players are being flown to the Hard Rock to play.

The schedule for all events and the buy-in amounts:

8/07 $340 No Limit Hold'em
8/08 $550 No Limit Hold'em
8/09 $550 No Limit Hold'em
8/10 $340 No Limit Hold'em
8/11 $340 No Limit Hold'em
8/12 $340 No Limit Hold'em
8/13 $550 No Limit Hold'em
8/14 $550 No Limit Hold'em
8/15 $550 No Limit Hold'em
8/16 $1,070 No Limit Hold'em
8/17 $340 No Limit Hold'em
8/18 $340 No Limit Hold'em
8/19 $550 No Limit Hold'em
8/20 $550 No Limit Hold'em
8/20 $1,070 PLO
8/21 $290 Super Satellites 12pm, 4pm, 8pm
8/22 $2,650 WPS/CPT Championship Day 1
8/23 WPS/CPT Championship Day 2
8/23 $550 No Limit Hold'em
8/24 WPS/CPT Championship Day 3

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