Commerce Crowne Plaza Now Open

Commerce Casino has opened a new Crowne Plaza Hotel on its property – and it suits its purpose perfectly. Already the standard bearer by virtue of being the world's biggest poker room and located in the world's biggest poker community, this new facility will do more to elevate poker in the eyes of the general public than anything since the opening of Bellagio.

The L.A. Poker Classic, set to be staged at Commerce Casino Feb. 1-26, 2002, is expected to be the biggest tournament in California history. I predict that records will be broken every day, even though attendance last year was up a full 35 percent. The tournament will feature an unprecedented two $1million-guaranteed events, as well as three with $250,000 guarantees each.

Be sure to book your room reservation early. Remember, the poker rooms are much bigger in Los Angeles than in Las Vegas, but the number of conveniently located hotel rooms is far less.

The Crowne Plaza rooms are very neat and tidy. Each has three phones, a microwave, a coffee maker, a safe, and stone floors and countertops in the bathroom. The poker rate is $79. The lobby features the new high-limit poker section ($10-$20 and higher), and it is lovely and roomy.

A new deluxe restaurant will soon replace the grill, and the new facility also features a sports bar and a food court.

The ballroom is the largest outside of the downtown area of L.A.; it can seat 1,200 for dinner or 650 for a tournament.

As is the case in other deluxe hotels, the Crowne Plaza has a deluxe spa, a fitness center, boutiques, and outdoor amenities.

This is definitely a major poker destination.