Saturday, November 04, 2006

The next couple of months are filled with exciting poker tournament action
right here in our own back yard. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and Spotlight
29 Casino, both homes to small but fiercely competitive daily tourneys, are
upping the ante with big payout competitions. On Nov. 10-12, Fantasy Springs
presents its Second Annual Dick Van Patten Celebrity Poker Tournament,
reprising last year's hugely successful event. In addition to the Van Patten
clan and their celebrity friends, the star of the party this year is the
$75,000 estimated prize pool. A portion of the proceeds will underwrite a
holiday party for children of Marine Corps service men and women at
Twentynine Palms. The poker room is now running sit-n-go satellites for $40,
so you can gain your entry that way. If you don't win a satellite, the
buy-in is $300, which includes the pre-tournament cocktail party on Friday
night. I'll be doing an online blog throughout the Van Patten as I rub
shoulders with the celebs, schmooze with the regulars, and play my heart
out. So if you can't make it over there, but want to keep up with the
action, log on to www.thedesertsun.com. I'm told that the in-progress
expansion of the new poker room will be complete in time for the tournament.
In late January, Spotlight 29 Casino will bring us the Coachella Valley
Texas Hold 'Em Tournament. The buy-in is a steep $1,000, but after all, the
title of Poker Champion of the Coachella Valley shouldn't come cheaply!
There will be satellites - so you'll have a chance to win your entry.
Anticipation is running high that there will be a tough field packed with
our best local players and many pros. They'll be after both the $150,000
guaranteed purse and the blue ribbon. More about this event as it draws
closer.