Las Vegas

WILLIAMSBURG - Fantasy baseball camps allow fans to play alongside their heroes.

The poker world is no different, as amateur players flock to Las Vegas every year for their chance to sit at a table with superstars like Phil Hellmuth and Doyle Bruson at the World Series of Poker.

Jim McDonald, a supervisor at Raleigh’s Tavern and Wetherburn’s Tavern, earned his chance last week after winning a satellite tournament in a free poker league in Williamsburg.

“I began playing poker with Pocket Aces Poker League three years ago,” he said in an interview. “I enjoyed watching it on TV, so I came out one night to give it a try and really loved the game.”

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.