Koveh Waysei Wins Card Player Poker Tour Main Event at The Bicycle Hotel & Casino CPPT Returns To Los Angeles In October With $400,000 Guaranteed Main Event

While most of the poker world was focusing on Las Vegas, the Card Player Poker Tour main event at The Bicycle Hotel & Casino wrapped up mid-July with Koveh Waysei taking home the title and the top prize of $45,000. This was Waysei’s best career finish, after previously earning $10,380 for finishing second in a CPPT preliminary event at the Bike last October. Waysei made a deal with William Robinson and Ted Jivkov during three-handed play to secure the victory.

The Quantum Reload event featured a $235 buy-in for most of the six starting flights, but players could get in later in the tournament if they were willing to put up $1,500. A total of 1,286 players entered the event at the lower price point, and 47 players opted to enter later on. The end result was 1,333 total entries and a prize pool of $311,030, which shattered the $200,000 guarantee.

The final 144 players made the money, taking home a minimum of $450. There were also nine players who made it through two different starting flights, earning $1,500 each for their accomplishment.

CPPT Returning To the Bike This October

If you missed out on this event, don’t worry. This October, the CPPT will return to The Bicycle Hotel & Casino with an even bigger tournament featuring a massive $400,000 guarantee. The $1,100 buy-in event will also feature a Quantum Reload format, which was patented by Bicycle Tournament Director Mo Fathipour.

Fathipour’s revolutionary tournament format is the best of both worlds. It allows recreational players to win huge prizes for a minimal investment, and it also saves the pros and high rollers time since they are allowed to buy-in at a larger price point directly on day 2 and still receive an average stack. It’s a win-win situation for both sides of the player pool.

“This is the best option for a casino to run a major tournament,” said Fathipour. “Many casinos are currently running four-, five-, or six-day multi-day tournaments. With the Quantum Reload concept, now on day 2, without any extra expense, a new player comes in, pays more money, and is equal to ten players on an earlier day. This will make prize pools larger, attract bigger, more notable players, and elevate the cash games.”

The CPPT main event starts Saturday, Oct. 15 with the first of three starting flights, all at a buy-in of $1,100. Each player will be given 30,000 in starting chips, and the top 25 percent of each flight will advance to day 2. On day 2, players can buy-in directly to the tournament for $4,300 and will be given 120,000 in starting chips, which will be right around the average stack in the tournament. The blinds at that point will be 1,000-2,000 with a 300 ante, giving players 60 big blinds to work with.

There are mega satellites already scheduled for Oct. 9-16, guaranteeing $1,100 seats into the main event for just $200.

The full series, which runs from Oct. 1-20, will feature nine events, including the Southern California Poker Championships as part of Big Poker Oktober. The $3 million guaranteed event features many starting locations, including The Bicycle Hotel & Casino, for eight starting flights at $350. Those who make it to day 2 will already be in the money, earning $800. Those who cash more than once will earn $2,500, which is the $800 in cash, a $500 voucher, and a $1,200 bonus.

Players can buy-in directly to day 2 for $4,500 and will receive 210,000 in starting chips at blinds of 1,500-3,000 with a 500 ante. Between Oct. 1-7, you can also win your way directly into day 2 for just $330 with nightly mega satellites. The winner of the Southern California Poker Championships will take home a guaranteed minimum $500,000 payday and a Mercedes.

Other events on the tournament schedule include a $150,000 guaranteed Quantum Reload event with a $180 buy-in, a $365 no-limit hold’em survivor tournament, a $200 Omaha eight-or-better tournament, a $180 bounty tournament and a $200 E.O. with Big O tournament.

The Bicycle Hotel & Casino has been a staple of the Los Angeles poker scene since 1984 and in December, casino operators unveiled the result of a $50 million renovation project, which included a brand new seven-story luxury hotel. The 117,907 square-foot addition boasts 99 rooms, including 29 suites, as well as a multitude of amenities including the all-new Bike Brewery, full spa and elevated outdoor pool deck with private cabanas.

The 29 luxury suites will range from the Classic Suite (648 sq. ft.), the signature Bike Suite (904 sq. ft.), the Governor’s Suite (1,359 sq. ft.) and a Presidential Suite (2,007 sq. ft.). The Presidential Suite has two bedrooms, a formal living room and a Jacuzzi tub. Built by R.D. Olson Construction and Lee & Sakahara Architects, and designed by Hager Design International, the hotel transforms the already massive 185-table gaming property into a space that caters to everyone.

A floor design of overlapping circles, inspired by a bicycle wheel, winds its way to a variety of amenities, including dining, a coffee house, a gift shop, entry to the casino concourse and an Asian inspired VIP gaming area. The second floor has a state-of-the-art fitness center, the outdoor pool deck and the hotel spa and sauna. There is also 8,000 square-feet of multi-purpose event and private meeting space. The 28-screen Bike Brewery will feature 28 beers on tap, including two private labels exclusive to The Bicycle Hotel & Casino in the James Blonde Ale and the Golden Hand Hefeweizen.

For more information about the Card Player Poker Tour, go to www.cardplayerpokertour.com. ♠