Foxwoods Set to Host World Poker Finals

Thousands of steely-eyed, icy-nerved poker players will take their seats at the World Poker Finals at Foxwoods Resort Casino Oct. 28-Nov. 18. At stake, in addition to the honor of being a winner, is approximately $2 million in total prize money.

Foxwoods has hosted the World Poker Finals tournament in Mashantucket, Connecticut, since 1992, said Tournament Director Mike Ward. It has gotten larger over time, and this year he expects as many as 3,000 entrants.

Foxwoods Vice President of Table Games Jim Rigot stated, "The recent incidents of terrorism have shocked and saddened the nation. My prayers are with everyone affected by this national tragedy. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Americans have begun returning to their jobs and to their daily routines. We have decided to go forward with this year's World Poker Finals. There exists a family atmosphere at Foxwoods. Whatever life's problems arise, people care enough to help. There is an enormous amount of emotional support, team spirit, and goodwill. Foxwoods team members are dedicated to providing the most exciting and memorable casino experience. I'm optimistic that this year's poker tournament will be better than ever. You can expect a full house … maybe two or three. I look forward to seeing everyone on the casino floor."

This year, the World Poker Finals will implement the new standardized rules adopted by the national Tournament Directors Association. "Foxwoods is proud to announce that we will be using the new standardized rules," Ward said. "We are among the first to do so."

In July, the Tournament Directors Association met to formulate standard rules to be used at all championship poker events. The 14 rules developed at that meeting will be enforced during the World Poker Finals, and players are encouraged to become familiar with them prior to tournament play; the rules will be available in the tournament area for players to review.

The World Poker Finals will feature 18 events – including limit hold'em, no-limit hold'em, Omaha high-low split, seven-card stud, and seven-card stud high-low split – Ward stated. Buy-ins will range from $340 to $5,200 for the no-limit hold'em championship event. Also, Foxwoods is providing $87,000 in added prize money during the tournament. The tournament will be held in the Foxwoods poker lounge and the adjacent concourse, Ward said.

"We attract players from all over the world," commented Ward. "In the past, we've had players come here from all over Europe and even Australia."

The tournament will kick off on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m., with a $340 buy-in no-limit hold'em event with $2,000 added prize money.

A new event this year will be "The Seniors" limit hold'em championship, for players 50-plus years of age, Ward said. The buy-in for this event will be $565 and it will be hosted by "Oklahoma Johnny" Hale.

Tournament registration for each event will begin three hours prior to, and will remain open until, the scheduled start of the event. The winner of each event will be qualified to play in the 2002 Tournament of Champions, which is slated for The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas July 28-Aug. 3.

The top point winner of the World Poker Finals will receive a Rolex watch and complimentary hotel accommodations at Foxwoods for the 2002 World Poker Finals. The second- and third-place point winners will also receive complimentary Foxwoods accommodations for the 2002 World Poker Finals.

The toughest challenge in organizing such a huge event is coordinating everything, Ward said. But the players themselves don't need a lot of instructions. "They pretty much know what's going on," Ward said. "We look forward to seeing people return year after year."

With more than 6,400 slot machines and 350 table games, Foxwoods Resort Casino offers gaming in a relaxing atmosphere, live entertainment with headliners from around the world, and fine dining at Mashantucket, the ancestral home of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Foxwoods opened in 1992 as a 250,000-square-foot facility with a 46,000-square-foot casino to complement its successful bingo operation opened in 1986. Today, Foxwoods is a 4.7 million-square-foot complex containing five main casinos under one roof.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation has created more than 41,000 jobs – through direct employment of more than 11,000 team members, and indirect employment through suppliers as a result of the positive economic impact of its business on the region.

Since Foxwoods opened, the Tribal Nation has contributed more than $1.2 billion to the state of Connecticut as part of a slots revenue-sharing agreement with the state.

Foxwoods offers a wide variety of table games, including Caribbean Stud, roulette, pai gow poker, craps, and baccarat. High-end patrons can enjoy the exclusive Club Newport International or the Stargazer casino atop the Grand Pequot Tower. Keno is available for play all across the property, including in a comfortable keno lounge. In addition, the 200-seat Ultimate Race Book features a 50-foot wide, theater-quality, high-resolution projection screen, state-of-the-art displays, and luxury seating.

In addition to gaming, Foxwoods features nearly 30 different outlets for food and beverages, including everything from gourmet dining to fast food. Among the dining options are the award-winning Paragon, Al Dente, and Cedars Steak House.

As far as entertainment is concerned, Foxwoods has always delivered the most talented performers available, including Frank Sinatra, Sinbad, Jethro Tull, George Carlin, Styx, and Erykah Badu. Upcoming performances include legendary funnyman Bill Cosby and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

The resort also offers more than 1,400 beautifully appointed rooms, suites, and villas among its various properties. In addition to the 824-room Grand Pequot Tower and 312-room Great Cedar Hotel, the Mashantucket Tribal Nation extends its hospitality-inspired luxurious touch to such relaxing spots as The Spa at Norwich Inn, Randall's Ordinary, and Two Trees Inn – all of which are a short distance from the world's most successful casino.

Foxwoods is easily reached via Interstates 95 and 395, and is a short distance from T. F. Green Airport, serving Providence, Rhode Island, and Bradley International Airport, serving Hartford, Connecticut. For more information, see the Foxwoods ad in this issue.