Fifth Annual Aruba Poker Classic is Under Way

Grab the tanning lotion, flip-flops, and, of course, the most universal poker accessory - your sunglasses - because the fifth annual Ultimate Bet Aruba Poker Classic is under way at the Radisson Hotel Casino in Palm Beach, Aruba. And this year, UB has introduced the Ultimate Blackjack Tour to the mix of events for even more thrills during nine days of jam-packed action.

Phil Hellmuth, Annie Duke, Antonio Esfandiari, James "Krazy Kanuck" Worth, and Mark "PokerHo" Kroon are back for their fifth consecutive year, while newest UB team member Devin Porter will compete against nearly 400 other online qualifiers for a chance to win a million dollars.

Participants and their guests who arrived over the weekend were officially welcomed during a swanky banquet hosted by UB and the Radisson Hotel Casino. Hundreds of beachgoers gathered for an all-you-can-eat floating buffet, bottomless beverages (including little paper umbrellas), music, dancing, feathered masks, top hats, beaded necklaces, and an official Aruban parade. But what UB poker ceremony would be complete without an opening speech from the royal host himself - 10-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth? David "Devilfish" Uliott also treated the crowd to a British version of guitar-strumming house blues, while big-name poker pros with sharpies were armed and ready to autograph memorabilia for fans.

The Ultimate Blackjack Tour kicks off day one at noon today, while the Aruba Poker Classic championship event commences tomorrow (Wednesday) at the same time. And for those who might suffer early elimination, there's plenty of action to take their minds off a million-dollar prize pool, with a $500 tournament scheduled every day at noon, a $1,000 event each night at 7, qualifying satellites running around the clock, and plenty of live action along the Palm Strip. Of course, alternative activities could simply include a day on the white sandy beaches of the Aruban coast.

Click here to see photo highlights of this week's UB Aruba Poker Classic and Ultimate Blackjack Tournament.

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