WSOP CIRCUIT ROLLS INTO CHICAGOLAND
World Series of Poker Circuit Returns to Chicagoland
 
WHAT:  The World Series of Poker Circuit – North America’s largest poker tournament series, makes its fourth stop of the 2012-2013 season, at Horseshoe Casino Hammond

WHO:  All poker players and fans of poker

WHEN:  October 11-22, 2012

WHERE:  Horseshoe Casino Hammond, in Indiana, just across the state border from Chicago, IL
 
WHY:  To play poker, win prize money, earn gold rings, and earn WSOP Circuit National Championship points.
 
HISTORY:  This marks the fifth consecutive year that Horseshoe Casino Hammond has hosted a WSOP Circuit stop.  All previous years have been record-setting in terms of attendance and prize money.  In fact, last year’s opening event (2011) set the all-time record as the largest WSOP Circuit event in history, with 3,001 players.
 
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:  This year, 12 gold ring events are scheduled.  Buy-ins range from $365 (for five events) up to $1,675 (for the Main Event Championship).  However, nightly (non-gold ring) $255 No-Limit Hold’em tournaments are available, as well.  Mega-satellites also run and cost $150 to enter.  
 
MAIN EVENT CHAMPIONSHIP:  The four-day event begins on October 19th and runs through October 22nd (the final table).  Two opening flights are scheduled.  The “A” flight starts Friday, October 19th at noon.  The “B” flight starts on Saturday, October 20th at noon.  Players eliminated in flight A may re-enter and play in flight B.  The winner receives an automatic entry into the WSOP Circuit National Championship, to be played in New Orleans next May, at season’s end. 

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:  Although there is no hotel on site, Horseshoe Casino Hammond is within a short drive of many major hotels, mostly located in and around Hammond-Gary, Indiana.  Moreover, plenty of hotels are available within a 30-minute radius, including those in and around downtown Chicago.
 
LOCATION:  Horseshoe Casino Hammond is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, within the confines of the city of Hammond, IN.  The casino is about a half-hour drive (depending upon traffic) from Downtown Chicago, which is known for its world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment.  The closest airport is Chicago Midway, about 20 minutes away.  Chicago O’Hare is about 90 minutes away by car on most days.

CASINO CHAMPION RACE:  The player who accumulates the most ranking points at the Hammond series earns an automatic seat into the WSOP Circuit National Championship.  That means two winners will advance to the nationally-televised finale – the Casino Champion and the winner of the Main Event.  Last year, Drazen Ilich took down the Casino Champion honors after taking second in a preliminary Ring event, then final tabling the Main Event, finishing in seventh place.

PAST CHAMPIONS:  Four players have previously won the Main Event Championship at Horseshoe Hammond.  They are:
 
2011 -- Robert Chow (Schaumburg, IL) defeated a field size of 1,615 and won $393,000
2010 – Kurt Jewel (Frankfort, KY) defeated 872 and won $259,000
2009 – Daniel Livingston (Oak Park, IL) defeated 248 players and won $391,000
2008 – Steve Billarakis (Las Vegas, NV) defeated a field of 164 and won $208,000

As always, the WSOP is going to be on site for all of the action. You can follow along with all the big names, local heroes, Casino Champion contenders and results with our up-to-the-minute updates on the WSOP Circuit Blog.