Commerce Casino Offers $1.5 Million Poker Tournament If Ben Affleck can do it, can you? Winning the California Sate Poker Championship, that is! In 2004, Ben Affleck became the first film star to win a major poker open when he captured Commerce Casino's California State Poker Championship, netting a cool $356,400. It just goes to prove that anyone-film star, construction worker, lawyer or candlestick maker-has a shot at winning this coveted $1.5 million event when the 2005 California State Championship hits the tables on Friday, Sept. 23 at Commerce Casino. Leading up to the $5,100-buy-in Championship No Limit Hold'em Event on Sept. 23, Commerce will host three weeks of State Championship poker. Starting Tuesday, Sept. 6, a variety of Limit and No Limit Hold 'em, 7-Card Stud and Omaha games are on tap with buy-ins starting at $330. The best all around player will earn a $50,000 bonus. Slated to compete are Tuan Le, World Poker Tour Champion who won $2.7 million in April, and Scott Lazar, of Studio City, who finished sixth in the 2005 World Series of Poker, and walked away with $1.5 million. Renowned players who have cashed-in at previous California State Poker Championships have included Chris Ferguson, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Kathy Liebert, Chip Jett and David "The Dragon" Pham. Commerce Casino will also stage a Super Satellite tournament from 11 a.m.- 7p.m. on Thurs. Sept. 22 with a $520 buy-in. Approximately 30 players will earn a seat at the California State Poker Championship No Limit Hold'em event beginning the next day. The events are open to anyone over the age of 21. Competitors do not need to live within the state of California. Estimated total prize pool for the full 20-days is expected to be $6 million. "The California State Poker Championship has become a major event in the West Coast poker calendar," said Cheri Dokken, Commerce Casino Tournament Director. "It's an opportunity for a newcomer to really prove him or herself against very tough competition, including many of the region's leading professional players. By having a total of 17 events we provide plenty of opportunity for players to grab the glory and enhance their bankrolls."
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