Largest Poker Tournament in Missouri History?

From the massive number of players who have flooded into Harrah's St. Louis on Saturday afternoon, it appears the $355 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament (Event #4) will be the largest poker tournament ever held in the state of Missouri. Last year's similar event drew almost 900 entrants. Tournament staff expects 1,000 or more players for this event.

WSOP Circuit at Harrah's St. Louis Begins

The 15th of 17 WSOP Circuit stops began today with the first Event at Harrah's St. Louis. Nearly 500 players showed up for the opener. Tournaments continue through April 23rd.

MARRIED TO THE GAME

“I have a ring on my finger. I’m married to the game of poker forever.” - These were the words of Horseshoe Council Bluffs Main Event Champion Scott Stanko shortly after the last river card was dealt. Stanko dedicated himself to poker earlier this year and the win marked his first big tournament score since. He was awarded more than $100,000, the coveted WSOP Circuit gold ring and an automatic berth into the $1,000,000 Circuit National Championship in Las Vegas. He is pictured here with Horseshoe poker room manager, Tom Wiese.

A HOUSE DIVIDED

Three-time Circuit champion, Tim Burt (left) and two-time Circuit champion David Nicholson (right), have both shared some success on the tournament felt -- They also share a home. The two room together in Mississippi and found themselves side by side at the Event #10 final table. Nicholson would ultimately meet his demise at the hands of Burt, finishing third, and Burt would eventually lose an excruciating heads up battle, going home just short of ring number four.

LUCK BE A LADY

In Event #7, Amanda Musumeci (left) and Sarah Hale (right) became the second and third females to make a final table at the 2011/2012 Circuit stop in Council Bluffs. Additionally, both ladies boast past cashes in the WSOP Main Event, Musumeci finishing 62nd in 2011 for $130,997 and Hale finishing 502nd in 2009 for $25,027.

ACE IN THE HOLE

When Jonathan Hanner isn't on the felt he enjoys playing golf -- and he's rather proficient at it. In 2011 he won the Minnesota State Public Links Golf Championship and plays to a +2 handicap. His victory in the No-Limit Hold'em Six-Max tournament in Council Bluffs came after he held an almost 2-to-1 chip lead on second place to start the final table.

THOROUGHLY BRED FOR H.O.R.S.E.

David Kerrigan began playing poker when he learned Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo since as a child. When casinos began opening around his hometown of Omaha, NE in the 90s, he picked up Hold'em and Omaha as well. Before you knew it, Kerrigan was as well-rounded a poker player as there was. Years later Horseshoe Council Bluffs, his home casino, would be the stage for him to show his game to the world. He won Event #4: H.O.R.S.E. at the 2011/2012 WSOP Circuit and was awarded $10,000 and his first ring.

KATS GAME

With a win in Event #2, Stephen Kats (right) has now recorded two Circuit victories in Council Bluffs. Ironically, his first-ever WSOPC win came at this very venue two years ago. He's pictured here heads-up against Brett Humphus just prior to being crowned champion.

BRENT GLANTZ WINS EVENT 1 IN COUNCIL BLUFFS

Brent Glantz beat out a field in Event 1 that included the likes of Circuit champions Corey Souther, Benjamin Kramer, and Brian Brashaw, two-time ring winner David Nicholson, three-time ring winner Tim Burt and all-time ring leader Mark “Pegasus” Smith. In addition, all of these players went on to cash. "Really?" Glantz questioned after he was informed of the quality of players he outlasted. "This means a lot. I didn't know it was like that." The win marks Glantz's first WSOPC cash.

ACTION UNDERWAY AT COUNCIL BLUFFS

The 2011/2012 Circuit tour continued on at Horseshoe Council Bluffs Thursday, March 29. With the tagline "12 Rings in 12 Days," the Circuit will crown 12 new champions between March 29 and April 10. Council Bluffs is one of longest standing stops on the Circuit, this year marking their sixth time hosting the event. The Main Event will take place April 7.