The first ever Dream Team Poker Tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is sold out. When the tournament kicks off on Saturday, November 8th, there will be 25 three-person teams taking the field, including some of the biggest poker stars and Hollywood celebrities.
The game play itself is the same as in a traditional Texas Hold’em tournament. However, when each player is knocked out, they receive a score based on their position relative to the size of the field. Prizes are paid out to both teams and individuals, giving each person a dual incentive to perform well. Teams are allowed two time outs per tournament and receive one more if a member makes the final table. Teammates who have busted out of the tournament are allowed to talk about a hand in progress during a timeout.
Poker players scheduled to participate in the $1,000 per person ($3,000 per team) buy-in tournament include 2006 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jamie Gold, 2008 WSOP bracelet winner and Full Tilt Poker pro David Benyamine, and blackjack aficionado and poker pro Erica Schoenberg. 2008 WSOP bracelet winners David Daneshgar and Kenny Tran will also make their way to the Hard Rock for the Dream Team Poker Tournament. Finally, one of the original bad boys of poker, Bodog sponsored pro and former “Survivor: China” contestant Jean-Robert Bellande will be in attendance.
Organizers of the tournament have left no stone unturned in Hollywood. This is perhaps one of the most diverse groups of celebrities ever assembled. Actor Mekhi Phifer, of NBC’s “ER” and the big screen’s “8 Mile” will be at the Hard Rock. Phifer is filming the final season of the hospital drama, which currently airs on Thursday nights. Sal Masekela, who hosts the “Daily 10” on television network E!, will take the field on the same team as “The Hills” personality Holly Montag, sister of main character Heidi. Holly moved in with her sister during the current season of the MTV reality show, but was eventually asked to leave.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers (National Basketball Association) player Chris Mills will participate. He also played with the New York Knicks and had a brief stint with the Golden State Warriors during his NBA career. “Knight Rider” actor Yancey Arias, who has also guest starred on episodes of “CSI” and “Numb3rs,” will take to the felts, as will “The Simpsons” co-creator Sam Simon. Simon finished 329th in the 2007 WSOP Main Event, taking home nearly $40,000. He was heavily featured on ESPN’s coverage of the event due to his mainstream popularity.
Daniel Delshad, CEO and co-founder of Dream Team Gaming, told Poker News Daily, “Having a diverse group of attendees is in line with what the game is about. The socialization aspect of the game provides an opportunity for people to play with friends who normally don’t play poker. It also breeds the opportunity to get celebrities who want to play together in a team format with a pro.” Delshad added that he plans to seek potential licensing of the Dream Team Poker concept to other casinos and/or organize a formal tour.
The tournament buy-in also included accommodation at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, parties on Friday and Saturday nights, and a trophy presentation.
