Tomorrow, May 19th, marks the last tournament of the World Series of Poker’s final 2008 circuit stop at Harrah’s New Orleans. So far we have seen 11 circuit stops beginning with the Grand Casino in Tunica and most recently in Casesars Palace in Las Vegas. With only 12 more days until the action begins on the World Series of Poker itself, some players are attempting to tune their games for poker’s biggest prize, and others will try make a name for themselves in the live tournament universe.
Leading to the Championship Event, in this years New Orleans circuit stop there have been 14 events, today being the Ladies No Limit Hold’Em tournament. The Championship Event tomorrow will be a $5000 buy-in No Limit Hold’Em tournament and will take place over three days.
In the past, New Orleans has seen some major excitement. Last years New Orleans Championship event drew 346 people and a prize pool of over 1.6 million dollars. Lou Esposito took home the prize for about $516000 and on his way severely crippled Phil Gordan, the initial final table chip leader, when his aces took down Gordan’s kings. In the first New Orleans circuit stop of 2008 we saw a record breaking win from Daphne Turner who became the first woman to win an open World Series circuit event when she took down the $300 No Limit Hold’Em Tournament for around $34000.
After this circuit stop is completed there will be a nine day break and then the 2008 World Series will kick off with the $10000 Pot Limit Hold’Em World Championship.