Oklahoma Blackjack Tournaments?

Blackjack is back in the Sooner State

Under a new law approved by Oklahoma voters last year, blackjack and poker are legal at tribal casinos in the Sooner state. Many Oklahoma casinos now offer blackjack, but admittedly, it sucks. The casinos charge a commission just to play, usually 50 cents a hand. The reason casinos are allowed to charge a commission is that player losses, by law, are supposed to go into a "player pool" rather than the casino profits. The casinos are required to return most of the "player pool" money to the players. To my understanding, they can return the pool money by giving away prizes, paying premiums on certain blackjack hands (like triple 7s) or holding tournaments.

I know of several casinos that have opted to disperse the player pool through tournaments. To my knowledge, all these casinos require that to be eligible for a tournament a player must have played blackjack at the casino before. Otherwise, the tournament formats vary widely. In some cases, tournament players are awarded playing chips based on the time they spent at the casino tables during the previous quarter or month. For instance, if someone played 100 hours at a casino, they might receive 100 additional chips at the start of the tournament. In other tournaments, all players start on equal footing regardless of their prior action. Buy-ins are small or free for these tournaments.

I think these "player pool" tournaments are the only good thing about Oklahoma blackjack now, with high payouts and little or no buyins. I mostly play at Thunderbird Casino near Norman, Okla. The casino has had three tournaments this year with prize pools ranging from $100K to $250K and buyins ranging from $20 to $50. Thunderbird requires you become a member of its blackjack club to be eligible for the tournaments. But club membership requires only minimal play and all players start on an equal basis in the tournaments. I have probably played less than 5 hours at the Thunderbird tables this year. (I don't like the six-deck shoes and 50-cent commissions.) I entered a $100K tournament in May with a $20 buy-in and won $35K first prize. There were less than 300 contestants. I think this kind of tournament is the best opportunity in gambling.

Firelake Casino in Shawnee, Okla., now has monthly $100K tournaments, no buy-in and equal starting chip totals for all players. And I've heard that two large tribal casinos near Lawton, Okla., have big tournaments, although their regular players start with a chip advantage based on hours played. (Someone more familiar with these casinos please correct me if I've got the facts mixed up.)

There may be other tournament play in the state, but before I enter a tournament I would be sure the bulk of the prize money comes from the player pool rather than entry fees. I don't expect that to be the case in all instances. I understand from another regular on this site that one large Okie casino near Texas staged a tournament where entry fees would exceed the prize pool. If that's true, then shame on them for not using their player pool.

I think tournaments are the fairest way to return the player pools, and if the casinos fail to stage lucrative tournaments, it will cast suspicion on their handling of the money. Time will tell if good tournaments prevail or greed turns Oklahoma blackjack into just another rip-off.

Thunderbird Casino is hosting a $77,000 tournament later this month. I'll post most details in a day or two. It will stretch over two or three days, which is probably the biggest drawback for out-of-state players. I'll also post more info on the Firelake tournaments.

 

OK Blackjack

There has been some talk about a $1 million tournament. The Comanche Nation and Red River Casinos are hosting it and the final table will be at Red River. The final table is suppose to be televised. All other info is unknown. Upcoming tournaments are CN Oct 9 around $150000 and RR Oct 23 around $250000. The $1 million was told to me by the BJ boss at CN. This could be quite an event.

 

Is it part of GSN?

I heard GSN is going to host tournaments around the country for their new "World Blackjack Tour". I believe Oklahoma is one of the states that is going to host some of these events.

I wonder if the Million dollar tournament we be part of their new tour?

 

OK Blackjack $1 million

I don't think this is part of the GSN game. There is talk of $400000 first place. Heard more last night, but you know how this can change. Starting after this next quarterly tournament, people who make it to the final table will be entered into the $1million tournament. Don't know how many quarters will be used. 600 names will be draw from all the people who play in the quarterly tournaments to play in the $1million tournament. At least the first round everybody suppose to start with the same chip count. So many things are still undecided and can change along the way. Is a $1mil tournament enough for you pros to turn out.

 

$10,000 is plenty

I would drive up to Oklahoma all the time for tournaments if they ran them fair for everybody and not just the locals. The total prize money is important, but I am more worried about the format and starting out with a equal amount of chips.

A million dollar tournament sounds great, but not if we have to start with only a quarter of the chips other players start with. Make them fair and they will get players from all over, keep them the way they are now and they will always be just big local events.

 

OK Blackjack $1 million

Hey Rick. From what I heard everybody starts out the same. Red River had weekly tournaments in Sept. that everybody started out the first round with the same chip count. Winners of those tables would carry over their chips to the next round to the end. Each time I go to the casino I ask them for more info. It's still a ways off so they're still working on the details. Rick didn't you read I did say earlier, that so far I was told the chips would be even. Other tournaments in OK do start off even. I'll keep checking for info.

 

OK Blackjack $1 million

Here's some more info. The $1million tournament is set for Dec 2006. Everybody starts with the same chip count, but the table winners carryover their chips to the next round to the end. First thru 24 qualify for the Dec tournament. 500 wildcards drawn from the next 4 quarterly tournaments. Everytime you play a quarterly tournament at Comanche Nation or Red River you get an entry, for a possible 8 entries. Like the Hilton. First place $400000. That's it for now. Hope that will peak some interest.

 

What cities are they in?

BJMAILMAN, where are Comanche Nation and Red River casinos located at in Oklahoma?

Do you have any contact numbers for out of town players? If not could you get some for us?

 

OK Blackjack

From Ft Worth north 287 to Witchita Falls I44 to OK. First exit after state line. Exit then right couple miles Red River. Comanche straight up I44 to Lawton Gore exit you can see the casino from I44. 35 miles from Red River. As you leave RR, left then right to I44 left or go back the way you came to I44. CN 1-580-354-2000. RR 1-866-280-3261. Hey Rick, this has been posted earlier. Let me know when you might come up. Come play earn yourself at least 1 credit. Play the next tournament get your name on the list for the $1million. Everytime you play in the tournament you get one more chance, up to 8, to get drawn for one of the 500 wildcards. RR has a $2 table, so you can bide your time to earn credits. I know your main goal would be the $1mil tournament ,but the others are good money too.

 

OK Blackjack

Well played the CN tournament with my wife. I started with 10 and her with 2. I busted out first round, but my wife went down to 2 then back up to 194. Made second to advance ( 2 people advance from the first round this time ). Then won her table in the second round with 363. Then the third round before the final table couldn't get a thing and busted out for 21st place ( $175 ). She was thrilled for her second tournament to win something.

 

Congrat's

BJMailman tell your wife congrat's on cashing in on her 2nd tournament.

I am not sure what your refering to, about starting with 10 and your wife 2? Are you talking about chips? Could you explain, thanks.

 

OK Blackjack

For every hour you play you get one credit to play in the tournament (max 400). At the start of the tournament you can buy 1 to 50 extra credits per dollar. We both bought 50. My wife wasn't feeling well so she put 25 out for the first two hands and lost. With her last 2 chips on the third hand (30 hands) she went up to 194. Wow. I talked to you Rick about how the tournament at CN was hard for the low chip players. After the last tournament I talked to Earl the new BJ boss, I don't know if he agreed with me or not. But the tournament has changed for the better. 2 advance instead of 1 first round. First and second round 1-25 min/max bets. Third round 5-100 and final table 10-200. It's a better chance to catch a big chip leader. You carryover your chips from round to round. First place was $47000 this time which was low. Players pool for this was $123000. Upcoming at RR around $250000 Oct 23. You going to come for the quarterly starting in Jan to try and qualify for the $1mil tournament ? It's best to play at both CN and RR. That's 8 possible entries. RR is the better place to play with more tables and bonuses. 3-1 suited BJ, 2-1 three 7's, and some double credit days. Hope to hear from you.

 

OK Blackjack $1 million

1st round: Dec 11-14, 2006, 100 tables of 6, betting min 10 max 100, entrants will play 2 rounds of 30 hands, start with 500 in chips an additional 500 in chips (optional) for a fee of $100, the combined chip total from 2 rounds will determine the 300 players who advance to 2nd round, highest score at each table wins $100. 2nd round: Dec 16, 50 tables of 6, 30 hands, min 10 max 500, players start with the same chip count they had in the 1st round, top 2 players advance from each table, 50 wildcards, hightest score at each table wins $200. 3rd round: Dec 16, 25 tables of 6, 30 hands, min 10 max 1000, players start with the chips they won with the last round, top 1 advances from each table, 17 wildcards, highest score at each table wins $400. Semi-finals: Dec17, 6 tables of 7, 35 hands, min 10 max 5000, players still keep their winning chip count from last round, top 1 advance from each table, 1 wildcard, all 42 players in this round win money. Final table: Dec 17, 1 table of 7, 35 hands, min 10 max no limit, still start with chips from last round. Semi final and finals will be held at Comanche Red River Casino.

 

OK Blackjack $1 million

What's the best strategies for playing this two combined chip count rounds ?

 

OK Blackjack

Comanche Nation and Red River have Tuesday tournaments. Both are free entry. CN starts on the odd hour sign up 1 hour before. Start with 50, 1 to all in, 21 players, 7 hands, highest counts win. Prize: tournament chips for the Jan tournament. RR sign up 6, play 7, not sure about other info. Prize money for this one. Somebody know more ?

 

OK Blackjack WSOB

Comanche Casino got a notice about the WSOB. Upper management there is thinking about it. They are holding up the progress of the BJ and Poker rooms.

 

OK Blackjack

Me and my wife played the Tuesday tournament at Red River. 112 players, free, sign up 6, start at 7:30, all start with 100, advance to next table with your chips, first round 4 tables 7 per table 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9, 2 advance each table, 4 wildcards, second round 3 tables 6 per table 9:30 and 10, 1 advance per table, 1 wildcard, final table 10:30. Sometimes things will chage a little if they don't get 112. Me and my wife both advanced to second round, but were put on the same table. She beat me, I was second at table. She got fifth place for $200. First payed $600. Alright for free entry.

 

Red River

Red River has put in a craps table and plans on starting it in Dec. Also going to have 3 card poker.