Advance press release for Choctaw

Discussion in 'World Series of Blackjack' started by TXtourplayer, Oct 27, 2006.

  1. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    I was able to get an advance copy of the Choctaw/WSOB press release. It will be held at four of the Choctaw locations. I have also learned that they intend on using the WSOB format during the qualifying rounds.

    The Durant property (closest for Swog, LadyG, JM, and I) is only about 1 1/2 hours north of Dallas. So if anyone is coming in and needs a ride call me and I can pick you up at either airport DFW or Love field, that is until I qualify anyway...lol.

    Here is the press release:


    CHOCTAW CASINO TO HOST WORLD SERIES OF BLACKJACK SATELLITE TOURNAMENTS IN POCOLA, IDABEL, GRANT AND DURANT

    Players Compete for Cash Winnings and One of 40 Seats at the Game Show Network’s Televised Finals in Las Vegas and a share of a $1 Million Purse, with the top prize of $500,000.00


    DURANT, OKLA. {October XX, 2006} –– Choctaw Casino Resort today announced that it will host qualifying tournaments for the Game Show Network’s (GSN) 2007 World Series of Blackjack at its locations in Pocola, Idabel, Grant and Durant. The tournaments will take place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in November and December of this year, with the last qualifying round taking place on Dec. 9th. The play-off tournament will be held at Choctaw’s Durant location on Dec. 16th to determine which lucky winner will be sent by the casino on an expense paid trip to Las Vegas to compete on national television for a share of a $1 million purse, with the top prize of $500,000.00

    Choctaw Casinos are the only place for blackjack players from Southern Oklahoma area to qualify for the play-off tournament finals in Durant on December 16th, where they can win one of the 40 seats in the Game Show Networks televised World Series of Blackjack.

    “The best blackjack players in the area will now have a chance to qualify for a shot at the ultimate $1 million purse. We look forward to hosting these exciting tournaments at the Choctaw Casinos in Pocola, Grant, Idabel and Durant, with our final play-off at Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant on December 16th, and awarding our top player a seat in the Game Show Networks’ World Series of Blackjack in Las Vegas and $20,000 spending cash.”

    Tournament Details
    The tournaments will take place every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in November and December of this year, Starting Nov. 1st, with the last qualifying round taking place on Dec. 9th. The final playoff tournament will be held at Choctaw Casino’s Durant location on Dec. 16th to determine which lucky winner will be sent by the casino on an expense paid trip to Las Vegas to compete on national television for a share of the $1 million prize pool.

    Buy-in to participate in the daily qualifying tournaments is $60. The first, second and third place player in each daily tournament will win cash prizes of $500, $250 and $125. The top-qualifying player from each daily tournament will advance to the playoff tournament in Durant to be held on December 16th.

    Players who advance to the playoff on December 16th will have a chance for a free night stay at the Choctaw Hotel on December 15th, tickets to the Jerry Lee Lewis concert, $50 blackjack match play and two complimentary meals.

    Prizes for the final playoff tournament on December 16th are as follows:
    • 1st place – a seat to the World Series of Blackjack tournament in Las Vegas, air, room, meals and $20,000 spending money
    • 2nd place - $15,000 cash
    • 3rd place - $10,000 cash
    • 4th place - $ 5,000 cash
    • 5th place - $ 2,500 cash
    • 6th place - $ 1,250 cash
    • With cash prizes to 36th place.
    For more information, visit your local Choctaw Casino or go online to www.choctawcasinos.com
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2006
  2. fgk42

    fgk42 New Member

    Hey TX,

    Thanks for the info boss! Now just let me know the days you are going so I don't have to play against you on the tables! :laugh:
     
  3. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    No problem

    I talked to Swog and I guess we'll try it out next Wed. before the crowds start getting bigger and they figure out what they are doing...LOL. ;)

    As far as playing me or anyone else I'll tell you the same thing I told the WSOB.

    The question was who did we think was the favorite to win the tournament? They asked all of the contestants.

    My reply:

    "There are 40 of us and anyone of us can win the tournament, it comes down to who can catch the cards at the right time, if you can tell me now that I am going to win the last three hands, I'll tell you that I'm going to win, but unless you can guarantee me that, I got to say there is 40 favorites". :eek:

    Don't ever count yourself out because of who you have at your table. ;)
     
  4. BJMAILMAN

    BJMAILMAN Member

    Choctaw BJ

    Called Durant. 4pm start time. Play every hour to 9. $60 buy in $40 rebuy. Sign up anytime that day. Told me Wednesdays wasn't that busy but Fri and especially Sat was. Give them a call and tell me if they tell you something different. Have you already checked Rick?
     
  5. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    Different tournaments

    BJMAILMAN, the events they were telling you about is another BJ tournament, last qualifier for that one is tomorrow with final this Sunday.

    The one I posted about is for the WSOB qualifiers, but they don't start until next Wed. Nov. 1st.
     
  6. mociferous

    mociferous Member

    Durant Tourney

    TX--Do you know what time it will start? Do you think if you go up on Wednesday, you will try again Fri and Sat if you don't make it?
     
  7. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    Sorry

    I didn't even notice they didn't have the time listed in the release. I'll try to find out tomorrow.

    Yes, I am sure I'll go back Friday & Sat. and every other chance I have until I do make it.
     
  8. jmbelders

    jmbelders Member

    Whats the update on start times.

    Hey Rick, what updates do you have? I would like to make some Wednesday in November, Would like to know what time play starts. I noticed their website is not updated with any info as of yet. If i'm not working on Saturdays, I am going to try to go some of those days also.
     
  9. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    I'll try and get more info

    It takes a while for the tournament director to get back with me, he has been pretty busy. I sent him an e-mail asking about the starting times for all three days. I'll post as soon as I find out the times.
     
  10. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    Okay, this is what I was told....

    They will offer four sessions starting at 4:00 pm and then every hour 5:00, 6:00, and 7:00 pm with the winner of each table advancing to the 8:00 pm semifinals. Then the top winner from each table will advance to the finals.

    The over all winner will be invited back for the WSOB seat give-a-way on Dec. 16th, 2006.

    The entry fee is $60, with re-buy 25% lower than the last, so it will be $60 for your first session and $45 for every session afterwards (that is if you need a re-buy). This is what the person I talked to told me anyway.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2006
  11. BJMAILMAN

    BJMAILMAN Member

    Choctaw BJ

    Hey Rick, did you go to Durant? How was it if so? Tell us all about it.
     
  12. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    Had one qualify for the WSOB from BJT.com

    That was the good news, the bad news it wasn't either Swog or I...LOL.

    Easttexaspro made it in for the finals on Dec. 16th in Durant. He went to a small sister Choctaw casino (Idabel) which was also closer for him. Luck had it that he only had to play against two other players in his first round...LOL, then he won the finals with a DD on his last hand to put him in for the Durant finals and a shot at the seat.

    He made $500 1st prize for his efforts as well tonight.

    The Durant event was pretty full, (it is the biggest of the 4 Choctaw properties) and the players were surprisingly pretty sharp to tournament play.
     
  13. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    Had one qualify for the WSOB from BJT.com

    That was the good news, the bad news it wasn't either Swog or I...LOL.

    Easttexaspro made it in for the finals on Dec. 16th in Durant. He went to a small sister Choctaw casino (Idabel) which was also closer for him. Luck had it, that he only had to play against two other players in his first round...LOL, then he won the finals with a DD on his last hand to put him in for the Durant finals and a shot at the seat.

    He made $500 1st prize for his efforts as well tonight.

    The Durant event was pretty full, (it is the biggest of the 4 Choctaw properties) and the players were surprisingly pretty sharp to tournament play.

    The problem was there were a lot of UBT free roll type players there who kill us with no clue what they were doing...LOL

    My favorite was the guy who took the lead from me on the first "Knockout" hand. He DD a soft 14 vs dealers 8 with $50,000 bet. I was BR1 with a $28,500 bet to still retain the lead and caught 19. Only to watch the dealer draw 4 card 20 and then flip a 7 up for his DD, only a $157,000 swing, you gotta love this game...LOL

    It was a very well run tournament and the staff were very freindly. Without sitting down for one hand of regular BJ (or any game) they gave both Swog and I a full comp for their buffet, we went in and I joked about how good it must be as only 3 couples were in there...LOL.

    We went to the back area where they had the smallest buffet I have ever seen. The food looked good and we tried some different items, went back to our seats and realised that we were problem at the BEST tasting buffet we had ever been to.

    This was some of the best food I have ever tasted, far better than some of the nicer resturants I have eaten at in different casinos.

    I'll give it a thumbs up and I'll be back next Wed. if possible.

    The Durant property does have a hotel for those of you coming in from out of town. The phone number is 580-931-8340.
    One onther nice thing for out of town players is that you can play multiple times in an attempt to make the final table. Out of the six rounds, you could play in all six of them should you need to, as long as they are not sold out for that round.

    Format is just like on TV WSOB. Only one table per round, six players, only one winner, all players start with $100,000 in chips. Two knock out cards and than five hands. First round starts at 3:00 pm and every hour on the hour until the finals at 9:00 pm where the six winners play for the chance to win a seat in the Dec. 16th finals at Durant.

    You can get to Durant (1 1/2 hours north of Dallas) from either DFW or Love field. Pretty easy drive, mostly all Hwy., the casino is right off the Hwy. on the right hand side.

    I just need to warn you about one thing, I am going to win the WSOB seat up there, I just thought I would tell y'all in advance and save you the trip...LOL
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2006
  14. TXtourplayer

    TXtourplayer Executive Member

    So much for small turnouts.....

    During the UBT show today, Choctaw ran a WSOB advertisment so expect the turnout to be a lot higher for next weeks qualifiers.
     
  15. jmbelders

    jmbelders Member

    I thought I saw that!

    I was thinking I saw something on the television about Choctow, but I passed to quick on TIVO and could not find later.
     

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