Bernard Lee Previews 2009 East Coast Poker Tournaments

Over the last few years, people are always surprised that I still live in the Boston area.  Poker players repeatedly ask me why I don’t move to the West Coast, specifically Las Vegas, assuming that I would be closer to big poker tournaments.

However, the truth is that I like the East Coast.  Not only did I grow up and go to college here, but most of my family still lives on the East Coast.  Although it is freezing during the winter, I look forward to going to Boston Celtics games during the bitter cold months (I have had season tickets for over 10 years).  During the past decade, I have seen some really lean Celtics teams, but this past season was simply a magical ride.  During the playoff run, I was able to attend every game including Game 6 of the NBA Finals.  I was on the floor with my wife when the Celtics won, capturing their 17th championship banner.

The season’s run can be summed up by the following formula.
34 + 5 + 20 = 17!

For those outside of the Boston area, it stands for Paul Pierce’s Jersey Number + Kevin Garnett’s + Ray Allen’s = Celtics 17th NBA Championship.

Although I had to come back early from the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to go to a couple of games, it was well worth it.  Remember, the WSOP is played every year, whereas the Celtics don’t make the Finals every season (it had actually been over 20 years since the last time they played for the Championship). Let’s hope they have another tremendous run this summer.

Anyway, back to the East Coast poker discussion.  With the introduction of the World Poker Tour (WPT) as well as WSOP Circuit events, East Coast players like me can readily compete in numerous No Limit Hold’em Main Event tournaments relatively close to home.  With large prize pools attracting top players, East Coast players can compete against very impressive fields for huge sums of money.

Here is sampling of my schedule for the first half of 2009:

JANUARY:
Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure:  Although technically on the East Coast, this event is not really that close.  However, for Northeastern players who endure very cold winters, the PCA is a nice break from the weather.  Additionally, this is the only tournament during the year in which my family joins me, as it is held at the magnificent Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas.  This year, the Main Event increased its buy-in to $10,000, which consequently boosted the first prize to $3 million.

Southern Poker Championship:  This WPT event (originally called the Gulf Coast Poker Championship back in September of 2007) is held at the beautiful Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Once again, this tournament series, which has a $10,000 Main Event buy-in, is not extremely close, but is still relatively closer than the West Coast.  In this year’s event, which had a $1 million first prize, I had a nice run, making it to Day 3 and finishing in 23rd place.

Borgata Winter Poker Open:  Previously a WPT tournament, this event still has numerous preliminary events with huge fields and prize pools.  This year, the casino reduced the Main Event buy-in to $3,000 (from $10,000 last year) and guaranteed a prize pool of $2 million.  This watershed amount was easily surpassed, as 1,017 entrants participated with a first place prize of over $650,000.

FEBRUARY:
WSOP Circuit Event, Horseshoe in Council Bluffs, Iowa:  During the first half of the year, this is the WSOP Circuit event held near the East Coast.  Last year, I completed in the $5,000 Main Event and made the final table.  After a nice run last year, I plan to return in 2009, hoping to better my fourth place finish.

MARCH:
WSOP Circuit Event, Caesar’s Atlantic City:  In back to back months, the WSOP Circuit has an event convenient for East Coast players.  In Atlantic City, the WSOP Circuit events often have their largest size fields here on the Jersey shore.  The WSOP Circuit usually returns to Atlantic City in December for another event.

APRIL:
Foxwoods Poker Classic:  Foxwoods Resort and Casino is the Mecca of poker in New England.  Known years ago as the New England Poker Classic, this WPT event has numerous preliminary events ranging from $300 to $5,000, culminating with a $10,000 buy-in Main Event.

MAY:
WSOP Circuit Event, Harrah’s New Orleans: The third WSOP Circuit event held relatively close to the East Coast.  Known for its money presentation using a stuffed alligator, this tournament is the final WSOP Circuit event of the 2008-2009 season.

JUNE / JULY:
World Series of Poker:  I realize this tournament is not on the East Coast. However, as a poker player, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.  To be a true tournament poker player, you have to head to the WSOP in order to compete for one of the over 50 coveted gold bracelets.  This year, in addition to the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Main Event and the $50,000 HORSE event, the WSOP is having a $40,000 No Limit Hold’em event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the WSOP.

During the second half of the year, there are also numerous events held on the East Coast including:
• Borgata Poker Open in September (a WPT event)
• World Poker Finals in October/November (a WPT event)
• WSOP Circuits events held in Southern Indiana (usually in October), Chicago area (usually in November), and Atlantic City (usually in December)

So you see, if you are an East Coast poker player, there is no need to call your real estate agent and move out to Las Vegas.  The East Coast tournament schedule is alive and well. You can stay here and play in numerous events throughout the year against some of the best players in the world.

Good luck to everyone!  The next time you are at a major tournament on the East Coast, please stop by and say hello.