The Horseshoe Council Bluffs in Iowa (across the river from Omaha) is holding their first "real" BJT on 7/25/08 - Prize Pool is $175,000 with $100,000 for first. I say "real" because their only other tournament was for the now defunct Millionaire Maker years ago. I was told that if they get enough support for this event then more tournaments will follow. I posted the details on the Calendar. However, there are 3 issues that may stop BJTers from attending. 1) The prize pool is $175,000 and they are looking for 300 players. If they get that 300 then the EV is $583. However, I personally doubt they will get that 300 given their location and the fact that the entry fee is $1,000. But don't let the entry fee scare you. They will reduce the fee based on your play at any Harrah's properties. Also, free hotel rooms and a $125 travel reimbursement may also be available when they consider your recorded pay at (again) any Harrah's properties. As a side note, the Horseshoe-Tunica runs a $250,000 tournament with $1,000 entry fee. Normally they get about 175 fully comped high rollers and 50 to 75 paid entries. So I'm guessing Council Bluffs attendance (given their location) will be around 150 to 200 which brings the EV up to a more reasonable level. 2) The format is typical Tunica format: 2 rounds of accumulation followed by the semi-final table. I know many on this site don't like accumulation format but considering the prize money, I think it's worth a shot. 3) Location. The MID-WEST has been a desert as far as large money tournaments are concerned. If any members here can see their way past the drawbacks I detailed, this is an opportunity to show the casinos that support for large money tournaments does exist in the MID-WEST. The ball is our court.
They say the maximum number of players they will accept is 300 - which I seriously doubt they will get. They do not use the word "guarantee" but I believe full payout will be made with a smaller showing since nothing in their literature says "based on XXX players". That's just my opinion, so don't shoot me if I'm wrong.
This event looks tempting if I can get comped in, but it's also competing with both a small blackjack tournament and a slot tournament at Grand Biloxi that weekend. I still haven't decided whether I'm going to consider Omaha. I'd like to support their first real effort though.
Update I've learned a few more details about this event: 1) Prize pool is not guaranteed. The $175,000 is based on a minimum of 180 players. 2) Tournament is subject to cancellation if less than 60 participants. 3) The $50,000 cash drawing is by invitation so the entire casino population is not in the pool. The invite can be set up with a casino host when tournament reservations are made. I've updated the CALENDAR for this event. All the information I know is summarized there.
Hmmm, I sure hope they can get 60 players. I've decided I'm not attending though. That same weekend I have one blackjack tournament, two slot tournaments and an invitational drawing here locally. Just too much to turn down.
I'm fairly confident they'll get the 60 players. I'm expecting many to be fully or substantially comped and of those this may be the first BJ tournament for many . The real question is how much over 60 will they get so that the prize pool stays at or close to the $175,000 advertised. EV is awfully hard to guesstimate on this event but I figure if a player can get an entry for $700 or less then the EV should be reasonable - maybe not positive but reasonable. Time will tell.
I think if the event happens, it will offer good value. If I didn't have the competing events, I would probably attend.
Attendance Update Meeting the minimum of 60 players for the Horseshoe Council Bluffs tournament on July 25, 2008 will be no problem. Latest information I have is that they should have an attendance of 150 to 200 players. Can't calculate an EV for 150 players because the prize pool may be reduced if they do not reach 180. The EV with 180 players is $972 while the EV for 200 players is $875. In either case, if one gets a reduced entry fee then there is good value for this tournament. Slightly negative EV if one has to pay the full entry fee of $1,000. All the information I know about this event is posted on the Calendar. So if you are looking for something to do next weekend, now you have your answer.
typical harrah's I wanted to come, but called 4 times. Each time I was told a host would call me back. I am still waiting for the 1st callback. Too late to get a good airline ticket so I will not be there.
I have to agree they have a poor system for signing up players. The phone number to call gets you directly to a person that can answer general questions about the tournament but she cannot make a reservation. Reservations can only be made by a Host. So your name and number are passed on to a Host and you are at their mercy as far as them calling you back. I was fortunate that a Host called me back (the first time I called) within 4 days. Apparently, other players were not so fortunate. Maybe that's why they are short of their goal.
This tournament is now over. I have to say that it went surprisingly well especially considering it was their first "real" BJT. A few unusual rules like no insurance but you can't have everything. They did not meet their goal to guarantee full payout but they were reasonably close so they decided to make a full payout which was a pleasant surprise. If you don't mind accumulation formats, I would encourage anyone to attend their future BJTs. They are considering one in the Fall. PS: Discounted entry fees are only given based on your record of play over the last 6 months at any Harrah's property. So "play to play" is the word.
