nolan

[fletcher]

whats you take on the 2 high priced poker tournaments at the bellagio in april and may?

word is they want to over take the wsop from the horseshoe after this year? any thoughts and could they do it?

rhe way she is running casino into ground don't think it would be to hard. would like to hear what you know or think when you have time.

thanks.

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Eric:

I'm not sure I have the answer (any question regarding Binions is always a matter of speculation -- since they are so secretive), but here it goes.

My understanding is that the Bellagio will run several "big" tournamentssss over the next year -- "big" meaning where the buy-in is $3000 and up. There is also talk of running a $25,000 buy-in NLHE tournament (by far, the biggest buy-in ever for a poker tournament). Presumably, this would become the most respected single event in poker fo obvious reasons.

At present, Bellagio plans to run two $3000 buy in events (I don't know what gamesm but I expect they would be NLHE and perhaps limit holdem). Interestingly, they are scheduling hese two events right as the WSOP begins (one in early April), and the other at the end of the WSOP (mid-May). Bellagio hopes to capitalize on an influx of players who will come into town, and play these tournaments, as well. This is a guess, but I imagine the tournament(s) would be held in one of the ballrooms since the poker room is not suitable (they'd have to shut down all the cash games). I coud be wrong abou that point.

The really interesting thing about scheduling is that the Bellagio is building a window of opportunity here, in case Binions folds/closes/is shut down by the Nevada aming Board. Assuming the worst case scenario for Binion's (closure), the Bellagio could step in -- run not only it's two big $3,000 events, but could add another dozen (maybe more) big events and either buy the rights to the WSOP or call it something else (I heard tht they may call it the Grand Prix of Poker, which used to be run at the Golden Nugget many years ago -- but that's not confirmed). The bottom line is -- the Bellagio seems to be taking steps to move in, if Binion's closes.

For those who are not aware, Binion's is in a severe crisis at the moment. Cash flow problems. Lawsuits. Creditors. You name it. The LVRJ is reporting daily on the Horsehoe's problems, and for the first time, there appears to be a decent chance the landmark downtown casino could close. Becky Binion Behnen hopes to get to the WSOP, rake off 6 percent in fees (which comes to $4-5 million -- and this, it's hoped, would give her much needed revenue to continue for an indefinte period). I'm not so sure she can hold out that long. If Gambing coms in and finds they don't have enough cash on hand to cover th chips out of th cage, they could be shut down. It seems to me that the Board could pretty much come in at any time and do this, but are reluctant to do so and want to give the Behnen's (Binions) -- every possible chance to survive. Obviously, if the Horseshow were boarded up and closed, that would stain the entire image of downtown, so the rest of the casinos down there (Nugget, Queens, Freemont, Plaza, LV Clubs, etc,) do have a vested interest in the Horsehsoe surviving.

My last visit to LV, I had a chance to talk to Benny Behnen, Jr. for abou thalf an hour -- who loves poker and seems dedicated to being the next generation of Binions to be able to carry the family legacy. I was very impressed with him. Trouble is, he will either inherit a multitude of problems, or the place will not survive much longer and he will never have had a chance to turn things aroud.

Frankly, I don't know why Becky doesn't sell the place and get rid of the headaches. I know of no poker player that has any respect for what she's doing and many are boycotting the WSOP because the problems.

Conclusion: The Bellagio is setting itslef up to possilby take over the WSOP dates, if Binion's closes. If Binion's survives, the Bellagio will still run its two tournaments and then make a decision abou future events (including the $25K buy in) based on the level of success of the initial two events.

It will be interesting to watch.,

Nolan Dalla

 

[fletcher]

thanks i knew you would have the insite,just been hearing the rumbles the last few days so wanted to know if that was the case.

she is also trying to get rid of med.benifits for workers says she can't pay the cost.

some strange shit going on there,i think your right she should sell,hell would be set for life and just set back and enjoy.

and it would hurt downtown like you said,i love to go down there at night you can see it all quite a treat,much better then strip if you want to do some great people watching.

and the chicks are cheaper not as clean but cheaper

 

[Flipper13]

Hope they don't close down. That is my favorite bj joint in all of Vegas. Hope they can survive without selling too.:nooo:

 

[Nolan Dalla]

Fletcher:

I just got this e-mail this morning. Note: "BELLAGIO CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT." This settles it:

Bellagio Tournament Schedule

April 16 - 18
No Limit Holdem
$3,000 + $100

May 27 - 31
No Limit Holdem
$10,000 + $200

June 25 - 27
Limit Holdem
$3,000 + $100

July 23 - 25
Mixed Games* $3,000 + $100

Aug. 27 - 29 7 Card Stud $3,000 + $100

Sept. 3 - 5 Omaha 8 or Better $3,000 + $100

Sept. 17 - 19 Pot Limit Omaha $3,000 + $100

Nov. 19 - 21 No Limit Holdem $3,000 + $100

Dec. 10 - 12 Limit Holdem $3,000 + $100



*Mixed Games - 7 Card Stud, Omaha 8 or Better, Limit Holdem, No Limit Holdem

$3,000 Buy-In: Players start with $6,000 in chips; Ninety Minute Levels

$10,000 Buy-In: Players start with $20,000 in chips; Two Hour Levels



No Limit Holdem, April 16 -18, 2002
Wednesday - Friday
$3,000 + $100 Buy-In
NOON

Schedule of Play

Tuesday - Day One

1st Level - $25 - $50
2nd Level - $50 - $100
3rd Level - $100 - $200
4th Level $25 $100 - $200
5th Level $50 $200 - $400

Wednesday - Day Two

6th Level $75 $300 - $600
7th Level $100 $500 - $1,000
8th Level $200 $800 - $1,600
9th Level $300 $1,000 - $2,000
10th Level $500 $1,500 - $3,000
11th Level $1,000 $2,000 - $4,000
12th Level $1,000 $3,000 - $6,000
13th Level $2,000 $5,000 - $10,000
14th Level $2,000 $10,000 - $20,000
15th Level $3,000 $15,000 - $30,000

General Rules

Each level will last ninety (90) minutes.

Players will start with $6,000 in tournament chips.

Fifteen (15) minute break at the end of each level.

Day two play will continue until the final table is determined.



Satellite

General Rules for $3,000 + $100 Holdem Entry.

Players will start with $1,800 in Satellite chips.
Each level will last 20 minutes.
$335 Buy-In player receives $3,100 entry and $100 in cash.
Winning Player MUST play in the event.
1st Level $25 - $50
2nd Level $50 - $100
3rd Level $75 - $150
4th Level $100 - $200
5th Level $200 - $400
6th Level $300 - $600
7th Level $500 - $1,000
8th Level $1,000 - $2,000
9th Level $1,500 - $3,000
10th Level $2,000 - $4,000


Bellagio Championship Event
May 27-31, 2002
Monday - Friday
$10,000 + $200 Buy-In
Noon

Schedule of Play

Monday - Day One

1st Level
- $25 - $50
2nd Level - $50 - $100
3rd Level - $100 - $200
4th Level $25 $100 - $200

Tuesday - Day Two

5th Level $50 $200 - $400
6th Level $75 $300 - $600
7th Level $100 $500 - $1,000
8th Level $200 $800 - $1,600

Wednesday - Day Three

9th Level $300 $1,000 - $2,000
10th Level $500 $1,500 - $3,000
11th Level $1,000 $2,000 - $4,000
12th Level $1,000 $3,000 - $6,000
13th Level $2,000 $5,000 - $10,000
14th Level $2,000 $10,000 - $20,000
15th Level $3,000 $15,000 - $30,000
16th Level - $25,000 - $50,000
17th Level - $40,000 - $80,000
18th Level - $60,000 - $120,000

General Rules

Each level will last two hours (120 minutes).
Players will start with $25,000 in tournament chips.
Fifteen (15) minute break at the end of each level.
Day three play will continue until the final two tables - (18) players are determined.


Satellite
10 Handed - No Limit Holdem
$10,000 + $200 Buy-In

General Rules

Players will start with $6,000 in satellite chips.

Each level will last 20 minutes.

$1,050 Buy-In Player receives $10,200 entry and $100 in cash.

Winning player MUST play in the event.

1st Level $25 - $50
2nd Level $50 - $100
3rd Level $75 - $150
4th Level $100 - $200
5th Level $200 - $400
6th Level $300 - $600
7th Level $500 - $1,000
8th Level $1,000 - $2,000
9th Level $1,500 - $3,000
10th Level $2,000 - $4,000
11th Level $3,000 - $6,000
12th Level $5,000 - $10,000

-- Nolan Dalla

 

[fletcher]

thanks nolan, she is in trouble,something has to give and i think it will be her,hope not the horseshoe.