Let's Hit the Road!

It's hard to believe that September is here already. If you're ready to hit the road and combine poker with some travel, here are a few suggestions for you to contemplate this month. Let's start with major events on the East Coast.

United States Poker Championship: This popular event is returning to the Trump Taj Mahal Sept. 2-19. Buy-ins for this series of tournaments range from $335 up to $10,000 for the no-limit hold'em championship event.

Join the World Poker Tour on the Road: Filming for the second season has already begun with tournaments at the Aviation Club in Paris and The Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens, California. The newest member of the Tour, the Borgata Casino, will host a WPT event Sept. 20-22. Why not join us either to play in the tournament or to be part of the studio audience?

The Borgata boasts 2,010 luxurious guest rooms, 135,000 square feet of gaming space, a 35,000-square-foot spa, 11 restaurants, and a very modern poker room, from what I hear. I'm eager to view the new property, and, of course, I'll be bringing you a full report following my visit.

If you're going to be on the West Coast, don't fear! You will find plenty of poker action in September.

Heavenly: Commerce Casino is hosting its Heavenly Hold'em tournament Sept. 5-14. With buy-ins ranging from $120 to $330, this series of events gives tournament players a great opportunity to shoot at the $15,000 that will be up for grabs in the Best All-Around Player category. To make it even more affordable, one-table satellites will be run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Ladies, Mark Your Calendars: There are two special events for the ladies in September. The Bicycle Casino will host its Queen of Clubs event on Sept. 14. The $10 entry fee entitles you to a scrumptious buffet brunch at 11:30 a.m. and entry into the $3,500-guaranteed tournament, which begins at 2:15 p.m.

A Flash to the Past: Ocean's Eleven Casino in Oceanside, California, is presenting its seventh annual California Ladies State Poker Championship Sept. 18-21. The theme this year is "A Flash to the Past," which means that in addition to all of the great poker action, you'll get to dig out some of your clothes from the old days and do some reminiscing of days gone by. The extravaganza will include four poker tournaments, a cocktail party, variety/game shows, fashion show, brunch, dinners, and a fabulous '50s "Sock Hop" awards banquet. Ocean's Eleven rolls out the red carpet for the ladies during its four-day event, so come be part of some great fun.

Come Back to Las Vegas: The Four Queens Poker Classic, scheduled for Sept. 17-Oct. 5, has buy-ins in the range of $120 to $5,000 for the no-limit hold'em championship event. Tournament promoter Bonnie Damiano will keep you busy between the live games, the daytime events, and the nightly second-chance tournaments.

Bye, Bye, September: We say goodbye to September as we sail into the sunset on a Card Player Cruises poker trip to the Mexican Riviera Sept. 28-Oct. 5. At the time I am writing this column, there are only three cabins left, so it may be too late to book passage by the time you read this. The popularity of poker cruises seems to be at an all-time high, so call the office today at (888) 999-4880 or (702) 655-0919 if you are interested in playing poker on the high seas!

Change of Subject: Congratulations to the World Poker Tour, which recently announced a long-term agreement with the Travel Channel. Terms of the deal allow the Travel Channel the rights to the second season of the popular series, and consecutive exclusive options to broadcast five additional seasons of the program. "The great American card game has finally found a home," said Executive Producer and founder of the World Poker Tour Steven Lipscomb.

Now, let's play poker!

Editor's note: For information on how you can play a freeroll satellite to win your way into the PartyPoker.com Million III poker tournament, hosted by Card Player Cruises, call (800) 795-9298. First prize is a guaranteed $1 million and the total prize pool is estimated to be $3.5 million.