Possible World Series of Blackjack Qualifier

I just received a postcard in the mail from Silver Legacy. They were advertising "Silver Legacy is the new northern Nevada home of the $1,000,000 World Series of Blackjack Tournament!" Any Reno-bound people have any ideas? You need to be at Sterling or higher level to be invited. I think that is $50 per hand for fours hours on tables or about $10,000 coin-in on VP daily.

 

Silver Legacy WSOB

Just a comment/some speculation - nothing specific. The Leg is a 50/50 joint venture between the Eldorado (Carano Family) and the Mandalay Bay Corporation (that was recently bought by MGM/Mirage). Although they have their own stand-alone (rather generous IMHO) player's club and comp system, the Mandalay Bay interests have historically been responsible for the management of the gaming/casino (with the Eldorado side responsible for the hotel and restaruant departments). It will be interesting to see if this is a local decision, or one that came from the (responsible) parent company (MGM/Mirage).

I have been out of town (away from my land mail) for about 2 weeks and still have a week to go so that I am not aware of anything official. I am however at Lake Tahoe for a family reunion, but plan on being in Reno this Friday 30 JUNE and will attempt to find out more from the staff there.

There is nothing mentioned on their website re WSOB, but please note the tournaments they have listed there as well as in the Events section of this website. Those tournaments are typically free to Sterling tier members and above with a $200 fee to others.

Chips

 

Just rumors, but...

I have heard that GSN has several properties already signed up to host next years WSOB qualifiers.

I haven't heard which ones or where, but I believe the LV Hilton will be the home of the WSOB again this year.

 

Legacy WSOB qualifier

I just received the following invitation from the Silver Legacy (based on my play there). Am a bit short of time/heading to the airport – will post some other comments as time permits

Chips

World Series of Blackjack ™ Qualifying Tournament
July 14-16, 2006

$10,000 Guaranteed for first place and 7 players advance to the $1,000,000 Semi-finals!

Silver Legacy will hold qualifying tournaments for the World Series of Blackjack™ in July, August, September and October. Seven players from each one of these tournaments will advance to Silver Legacy’s semi-final tournament in November. The winner of the November tournament will win a seat in the $1,000,000 World Series of Blackjack tournament held in Las Vegas in January of 2007, which will be televised on the Game Show Network. The winner also receives an all-expense paid VIP trip to Las Vegas for the finals.

Remember, Silver Legacy is the only place in Northern Nevada where you can qualify for the $1,000 World Series of Blackjack™!

Friday, July 14th
Arrival and check-in at the Hotel Front Desk
8:00 PM – Cocktail Reception & Session Sign-ups

Saturday, July 15th
10:00 AM – Tournament Starts
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Rounds 1 and 2

Sunday, July 16th
10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Rounds 3 through Finals

Tournament Format:

Prize Fund based on number of entrants and re-buys. All entry fees and re-buys go to the prize fund
Silver Legacy guarantees a $10,000 first place prize
Entry fee is $200 per player
Re-buy fee is $200 per player. Players will have the option of a one-time re-buy after their first loss. The one-time re-buy will be valid up until the Semi-Final Round, but must be used immediately after their first loss for the following round.
Tournament chips will be used for play
Single Deck shoe rules will apply
Single elimination applies
Top table winners will advance
At the end of each round, there will be Lucky Draws from those eliminated to advance. At the end of the Semi-Final round there will be one player drawn from those eliminated to play in the finals

Complete Tournament Rules will be available at registration

Balance of prize fund is based on number of entrants and re-buys. Entry fees and re-buys are $200 each per player. All entry fees and re-buy fees go to the prize fund.

Some invitations include free entry into the tournament and complimentary accommodations for 3 nights.

To inter or for more information please call Casino Reservations at 1-800-215-7721 or 325-7411 in Reno/Sparks.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino is Northern Nevada’s home of the $1,000,000 World Series of Blackjack™ qualifying Tournaments!

If you play your cards right, you could win a seat to compete for the World Series of Blackjack ™ $1,000,000 Prize Fund, including a $500,000 First Place prize!

 

The list of Silver Legacy Events on the Silver Legacy website includes the following:

July 14 - 16 Silver Legacy Birthday Blackjack Tournament

August 18 - 20 August Blackjack Tournament

September 15 - 17 September Blackjack Tournament

October 13 - 15 Fall Blackjack Tournament

November 17-19 Finals of the World Series Blackjack Tournament

 

Legacy Dates

thanks - yes I saw that and was going to post with the comment that the November "Finals" date is the final tourney for the Leg - not the "WSOB Finals". I also have some notes from speaking with staff earlier in the week when I was in Reno re what play levels you need to qualify to get to play and the daily tournaments that get you into the monthlies. The daily tourneys started yesterday. The dates for the monthly tourneys above are for those that qualify through play or win a daily tourney. Will post the details time permitting.

Chips

 

Cool!

With the WSOB already on TV and now starting up there qualifiers for next year and the UBT starting up in September this will be exposing tournament blackjack to several new possible tournament players.

The more exposer tournament blackjack gets out to the public the better. Hopefully we can start converting some of the current tournament poker players to tournament blackjack and even win back some of our blackjack tournament players who left for poker.

I think now is the time for blackjack tournaments to start getting big, I hope so anyway.

 

Is it free or do they take 200 comp dollars from your account? I assume that one would have to "pay" (whether cash or comp dollars) for the re-buy.

 

WSOBJ Daily Qualifier Rules

(Yes, there are some typos pamphlet. But, here it is.)

Daily Qualification Program:
One blackjack table will be available seven days a week from 4pm to midnight for players to earn a chance to participate in the monthly tournaments:

1. Players must have a Legacy Card and ID.

2. Players must have earned the following to participate each day:
1st Play Must have earned 25 points that day
2nd Play Must have earned 125 points that day
3rd Play Must have earned 250 points that day

3. Players will play 20 hands with the dealer using the following rules.
a. Each player start with $2,000 in tournament chips. The table limit is $25 to 2,000. **There will be no limit for the 19th and 20th hands.**
b. Players will draw for table position. Players must complete 20 hands before another round is drawn.
c. Tournament will be dealt using single deck with shoe rules. Player may double down on any first two cards, double down after splits, re-split face cards up to four times.
d. Blackjacks will be paid 2 to 1.
e. Insurance pays 3 to 1.
f. Surrender is not offered.
g. Player must bet at least a minimum wager on every hand. Player is eliminated if they are unable to meet the table minimum bet.
h. Wagers that exceed the maximum bet will be proven by the dealer prior to paying or taking the wager. Wager will be paid or taken to maximum table limit.
i. Once a bet is placed in the betting circle it CANNOT be changed. For player’s protection they must remove their chips from the betting circle after each hand and place a new wager in the betting circle.
j. All gaming chips must remain in plain view and separated by color and denomination.
k. All decisions rest entirely with the player, no advice from non-players.
l. If the players have a blackjack, they must turn it over when it is their turn to player their hand. If it is not, they will receive even money ONLY not 2 for 1.
m. During tournament play, if the dealer accidentally exposes a card it will be burned. If a player or dealer receives only one card, the first hit card for the hand will be used to complete the initial hand. At that point, the hand will then be played accordingly. No cards will be backed up under any circumstances.
n. English is the official language of the tournament. No conversation in any other language is permitted. Participants will not communicate with other players or spectators during tournament play.
o. All ties will be broken in a sudden death playoff. 5 (five) hands (no limit).
p. Management reserves the right to disqualify or refuse entry to any player for misconduct or violations of posted or published rules.
q. Management reserves the right to amend, alter, or change any rule or condition either implied or stated, concerning this tournament.
r. In the event of a dispute, the decision of the Shift Manager is final.
s. Price fund for the monthly tournaments will be $10,000 guaranteed first place prize. Final table (7 players) go forward to the Semi-Finals, November 17-19, 2006, winner of which will go to Las Vegas for the Million Dollar Tournament.
t. Silver Legacy Resort Casino reserves the right to modify or discontinue this promotion at any time. Participation is based on availability and casino qualifications.

4. Player with the highest score for the day will earn an entry into one of the next two monthly qualifying World Series of Blackjack Tournaments or the October Tournament if after September 15, 2006. If players win two dailies between Tournaments, their second win is good for a free re-buy in an eligible Monthly Tournament.

5. If players wins six dailies between tournaments they will automatically be entered into the November Semi-Finals.

Final day for qualifying for one of the monthly tournaments will be Friday, October 13, 2006.

 

I happened to be in Reno this past weekend. And, it looks like the daily tournaments are not going to be easy.

THU (Day 1) high was 4,000
FRI high was 6,025
SAT high was 14,600
SUN high was 40,000

What happened was that once the regulars (meaning that I have seen them somewhere before in another tournament) showed up, the high scores went up accordingly. Essentially, people are betting the maximum right from the get-go.

 

$200 Fee

It is truely "FREE" - they do not take the $200 from your account. Yes, even the players that have FREE entries have to pay $200 cash for the rebuys.

Chips

 

Legacy Points

Points at the Legacy can be earned as follows:

$20 coin in for VP = 1 point, or $500 coin in for 25 poiints (you earn points at twice that rate for slots).

$1 average bet at blackjack for an hour = 1 point, or an average bet of $25 for an hour for 25 points.

15 points = $1 in comps for machines.

And, near as I can calculatel, you need about 7.33 points for $1 in comps at table games, or their comp rate is about 14% of your average bet.

Once you get to the "Sterling Level", rooms/suites are free as are most tournament entry fees (discounted if not free) along with free concerts/shows etc. Sterling level requires an average of 6 days at a minimum of 500 points per day in a year.

Chips.

 

Actually, I can tell you about this. You earn comps at a rate of 0.3% on VP machines. That implies a rate of 0.6% on non-VP machines.

Also, the amount of comp dollars deducted for transactions (such as meals) is the pre-tax amount of the transactions. Yeah, there are a few casinos that deduct for the taxes too.

 

Legacy VP comps

As I posted above - $300 VP coin in at the Legacy equals $1.00 in comps = 0.33 (repeating). Twice that rate for slots.

Yes, the Legacy does not charge tax on a comp - as most should not by law.....as they do not sent those "tax" dollars into the state.

Chips

 

Silver Legacy WSOB qualifiers

Please see the update to the 18 AUG tournament as well as note the postings for their Sept and Oct tournaments. These are their monthly qualifiers to play in their November tournament that awards a seat to play in the WSOB. They are continuing to "comp" the $200 fee to their preferred players as well as waive the requirement to place in one of their daily tournaments to get into the monthly ones noted above.

Chips

 

I believe the "comp" is for those who are at the highest (Baron) level (about $25,000 VP coin-in per day). Initially, Chips and I thought that even the players at the middle (Sterling) level would get their entry fees "comp". I do not think that is the case. I am at the Sterling level and just received the mailer for the tournament. It says that I would need to pay $200 for the entry fee and casino rate for the room.

 

Qualifier

I received the flyer in the mail and got into the september quaifier. They told me that I had to pay 200 dollars to enter the tourney,But I didn't have to stay there!

 

"Comp" level

Not true - I don't know if all Sterling Level members get comped and their may be sub-levels w/in Sterling, but some are getting comped.

Chips

 

Can I just buy my way in? Or do I have to play hours to get in? World series of poker lets us buy our way in for 10K.

 

I don't know the answer to that. You might want to call casino marketing and see if they would let non-Sterling/Baron Level players enter. If so, it should be just $200. Let us know.