Camped out at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma is Poker News Daily Guest Columnist and tournament director extraordinaire Linda Johnson. The industry veteran is attending the Oklahoma State Championship of Poker.
A total of 24 events will play out as part of the Oklahoma State Championship of Poker. The 23rd on the docket is the Championship Event, which comes with a healthy $3,150 buy-in. The feature tournament kicks off on February 21st and is sure to draw quite a crowd to the Oklahoma casino’s felts. Card Room Manager Chris “Gompers” Hyams relayed to Poker News Daily, “Previous attendance records have been shattered in the first three events. Today in the $340 No Limit State Hold’em Championship, we had 805 entrants. Last year, 653 players competed. There were 210 alternates who all got in before the dinner break. Everyone seemed eager to have a shot at the $47,341 first place prize money.”
The aforementioned $340 buy-in tournament came with a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool. Tournament Director Brooks Turk explained what makes the Hard Rock Tulsa a unique poker venue: “We offer lots of perks for our players. Every State Champion gets a championship ring. There is a $15,000 casino added best all-around award. There is also a complimentary players’ buffet after six levels of play.” The casino’s poker room regularly spreads Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud. It boasts 30 tables, double the size of rooms like Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, and offers a variety of daily poker tournaments.
Johnson, who will be in Tulsa for the next six days, told Poker News Daily, “I always enjoy playing at the Hard Rock in Tulsa. They have player-friendly structures. All Championship events start with $10,000 in chips, 40-minute rounds, and $25-$25 starting blinds.” A handful of the Oklahoma State Championship of Poker events count towards the CardPlayer Player of the Year standings.
By the end of the day on Sunday, seven tournaments will be in the books. Contests featuring Triple Draw, HORSE, Stud, and other variations of the age-old pastime of poker are set to play out over the coming week in the Midwestern state. Here’s a look at the remaining schedule for readers of Poker News Daily looking for a unique diversion:
February 15th
Event #8 – Pot Limit Omaha Eight or Better State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #9 – No Limit Hold’em Seniors State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #10 – No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 buy-in
February 16th
Event #11 – No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #12 – No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 buy-in
February 17th
Event #13 – Limit Hold’em State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #14 – Seven Card Stud / Stud Eight or Better State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #15 – No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 buy-in
February 18th
Event #16 – No Limit Hold’em Ladies State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #17 – No Limit Hold’em Heads-Up State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #18 – No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 buy-in
February 19th
Event #19 – Pot Limit Hold’em State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #20 – Triple Draw State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
Event #21 – No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 buy-in
February 20th
Event #22 – HORSE State Championship
$300 + $40 buy-in
February 21st
Event #23 – Oklahoma State Championship Event
$3,000 + $150 buy-in
Event #24 – No Limit Hold’em
$100 + $20 buy-in
Players are urged to call the Hard Rock Tulsa at (800) 760-6700 for more information.