World Series of Poker seats at stake at greyhound track

The Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track will hold a special poker tournament beginning at noon today, Saturday, with the top four finalists earning a seat at the World Series of Poker on July 3 in Las Vegas.

The track's poker room held a similar tournament on May 10 and four Southwest Florida residents have already secured their seats at the World Series of Poker and a chance at winning millions.

"We're going to do it a little bit different this time," said Cindy Fra, the track's card room manager. "We're not going to limit it to 100 players this time."

The cost to compete in the tournament is $550 with $500 of it going toward the prize pool, Fra said.

The top five finishers will receive $1,000 with the top four being awarded the $10,000 seat in the Las Vegas tournament.

"It is a big buy-in," Fra said. "But it's a lot less than what it would cost for a bracelet in the World Series of Poker."

The tournament is expected to last from noon until 10 p.m.

The four winners who qualify for the World Series of Poker will have to make and pay for their own travel arrangements in Las Vegas.

Mitchell Smith, 40, of Cape Coral, was one of the four winners earlier this month. He said he put the $1,000 he earned in the tournament toward his Las Vegas travel expenses.

"I can't wait. I'm looking forward to it," he said.

Last year, 6,358 people played in the World Series of Poker and officials in Las Vegas expect that number to climb to about 6,500 this year.

The tournament's field will be reduced to nine players on July 14. The finals will be held four months later on Nov. 9 to accommodate ESPN's broadcasting schedule.

Written by Mark S. Krzos

news-press.com