Since 2005, the Heartland Poker Tour has become one of the significant players in the tournament poker world. Considered one of the preeminent “minor” circuits in the game today, the HPT has been able to have considerable success while providing the opportunities for many players to hone their game and move to the next level (the World Poker Tour, the World Series of Poker, etc.). Come this March, the HPT will mark a significant milestone in their seven year history.
From March 2-12, the HPT will be in action with their 100th tournament in the heartland of America, St. Louis, MO. For the first time ever, two casinos – the River City Casino and the Lumiere Place Casino & Hotel – will play as dual hosts of the HPT tournament. Lumiere Place will serve as a satellite play area as well as offer extra hotel and dining options, while the River City Casino (located approximately ten minutes from downtown St. Louis) will serve as the home of the Main Event and other qualifiers.
“The heartland has been good to us,” HPT co-founder Greg Lang stated during the announcement of their St. Louis event. “We’re pleased to bring our centennial celebration right into the backyard of our most loyal supporters.” Anthony Chester, the poker manager of Lumiere Place, echoed Lang’s sentiments in saying, “Not only will it be a thrilling tournament, but what a great opportunity to show St. Louis and the surrounding cities the incredible poker experience a player can have at both the River City Casino and Lumiere Place.”
For players who stay at Lumiere Place, shuttle service will be provided for them to be able to reach the action at River City Casino.
Beginning on March 2, players will contest for seats in the St. Louis HPT Main Event for as little as $45 in the qualifying rounds. The Main Event will feature three Day Ones from March 8-10 and Day Two play will take place on March 11, when the field will be whittled down to the final six players. On March 12, the champion of the 100th event in HPT history will be determined in front of television cameras taping the event for the HPT syndicated broadcasts.
Leading up to the tournament in March will be two events that should also prove to be popular with poker players of any bankroll or experience level. Beginning February 2, the HPT will make a sojourn to the Florida beaches for ten days of tournament action at the Daytona Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room. The HPT has announced that two of the top female players in the game, Maria Ho and Tiffany Michelle, will be at the HPT Main Event in Daytona Beach to take on the best that the HPT has to offer.
Following the Daytona Beach tournament, the HPT will traipse off to one of their more popular destinations, the Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, OK. From February 16-26, the HPT will have qualifiers for their $1650 Main Event, which begins February 25. In a unique twist, Downstream Poker Room Manager Dale Hunter has stated that there will be re-entry allowed in the HPT Main Event, which could create a huge prize pool for the combatants.
Both the Daytona Beach and Downstream tournaments are allowing players as young as 18 to participate in the tournament, while the centennial St. Louis stop will be an over 21 affair.
These three tournaments should get the 2012 calendar year off to a roaring start for the Heartland Poker Tour as players look to take down a nice chunk of change for a minimal buy in. For more details on the HPT and their upcoming events, visit hptpoker.com to learn more.