Commerce Casino's Multimillion

Dollar Classics:

Two $1 Million-Guaranteed Events and New Crowne Plaza Hotel

While Commerce Casino's annual L.A. Poker Classic has become a highly respected venue on the poker tournament circuit since the first L.A. Poker Classic convened in 1989, the 2002 edition of the annual poker competition is currently receiving added coverage and acclaim for at least two million reasons. In fact, the 2002 L.A. Poker Classic will mark the first time in tournament history that a casino is offering not one, but two $1 million-guaranteed events within the context of a major poker tournament.

With more than 160 dedicated poker tables and the largest poker section in the industry, Commerce Casino consistently draws a large player base to its annual L.A. Poker Classic. According to management, the decision to offer two $1 million events was largely due to the L.A. Poker Classic's phenomenal numbers in 2001; the tournament paid out more than $3 million in prize money last February. Accordingly, the 2002 tournament schedule for the L.A. Poker Classic was drafted to include a $1 million-guaranteed limit hold'em event on Feb. 9, as well as a $1 million-guaranteed no-limit hold'em event on Feb. 23.

Lucrative prize money aside, Commerce Casino boasts other reasons for players to visit the Southern California-based casino next month. First of all, there is the casino's luxurious new on-site Crowne Plaza Hotel. Inherent in the new hotel is an expansive tournament playing area. Built directly above the casino's new high-limit poker area, the elegant Crowne Ballroom was designed to accommodate the casino's well-attended annual tournaments by providing more than 13,600 square feet of "pillar free" space, complemented by high ceilings and superior lighting. In other words, a spacious, comfortable, quiet, and private tournament area is another by-product of Commerce Casino's hotel venture. The 2002 L.A. Poker Classic will constitute the first poker competition to be held in the new tournament facility, which has been outfitted with new chairs and newly covered tables.

"While last year's L.A. Poker Classic broke all previous records and was the largest tournament ever held in Southern California, we're expecting to shatter our own record with the 2002 L.A. Poker Classic," remarked Casino Manager Tim Gustin.

"With our new facility, we can easily accommodate at least 60 tables and more than 600 tournament entrants while offering a far greater comfort level. Plus, the area's proximity to our new high-limit area affords easy access to the side games for which the L.A. Poker Classic is famous. We have high hopes for February and the future. In the coming years, we'd like to see the L.A. Poker Classic become the biggest tournament in the world," added Executive Poker Host Jerry Stensrud.

Stensrud reflected, "Players who have never visited us or participated in the L.A. Poker Classic before should make a point to visit Commerce Casino for the first time in February. This would be a great time to come, if only to experience the side action, not to mention the VIP treatment."

Commerce Casino Tournament Director Cheri Dokken, who has been involved in the L.A. Poker Classic for the past eight years, stated, "This year our schedule has something for everyone, starting with $300 buy-ins all the way up to the $7,500 buy-in range. We've also expanded our staff to better accommodate the number of players we're expecting. I feel confident that participants will be pleased with every part of their L.A. Poker Classic experience."

Commenting on the high attendance figures anticipated for the Feb. 1-26 competition, Gustin said, "This year we've created more opportunities for nontournament players to get in on the action. We plan to qualify 130 players for a free $1,580 entry into the $1 million-guaranteed limit hold'em event."

According to Gustin, Commerce Casino will continue to open the tournament action to lucky hold'em players through the end of January. As a result of the casino's ongoing million dollar hold'em promotion, $3-$6, $4-$8, $6-$12, and $9-$18 hold'em players who lose with aces full to four of a kind or better are winning free buy-ins for the L.A. Poker Classic's $1 million limit hold'em event on Feb. 9.

"Since we brought back jackpot poker in December, players who qualify for the tournament are now winning jackpot cash, too," said Gustin. "We're offering jackpots around-the-clock, and have so many tables going that we're known for offering players 'freedom of choice,' meaning we consistently have a multitude of games at any given limit.

"In addition to increasing our tournament space, we've beefed up our staff in preparation for this year's numbers. Many seasoned professionals contribute to the success of this tournament; everyone works together to create an atmosphere that is enjoyable yet professional. We are very excited about this year's classic and look forward to welcoming new and returning L.A. Poker Classic players to a multimillion dollar tournament experience," concluded Gustin.

Supersatellites for both million dollar events will be held twice daily starting Feb. 1. Additionally, Commerce Casino will be offering one-table satellites and a two-tier satellite structure for entries into the $1 million limit hold'em event. One-table satellites are $180, while the two-tier satellite structure starts at $25 with the winners of the first tiers earning seats at $180 satellite tables.

For more information, call (323) 721-0000 or visit www.commercecasino.com. The L.A Poker Classic hotline is (323) 838-3256. Reservations for the L.A. Poker Classic 2002 are currently being accepted by the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Commerce Casino. As space is limited, players are advised to call (323) 728-3600 or log on to www.crowneplazacommerce.com.