Strip Poker: Retro Is Making a Comeback

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It is a new idea for old games. The poker room at the Stratosphere Casino in Las Vegas has been known to run freerolls for players who log in a certain number of hours at cash games in their rooms, but this is the first time a "retro" freeroll has been offered.

This is a chance for players to compete in regular cash games as they normally would, but then be rewarded with a freeroll tournament played in the style of one of the many nearly forgotten games.

Kicking off the first month is a pineapple tournament. For those who don't know, pineapple poker is played just like Texas hold'em, except that players are dealt three cards instead of two. At the beginning of each hand, every player must immediately discard one card and continue the hand as if it were hold'em.

Players are given exactly one month to qualify for a seat, worth $110, into the tournament. The freerolls are scheduled for the first Monday of each month, and players must log in at least 40 hours in a cash game before midnight on that day. Not only is the casino putting up the buy-in, but it is also doubling the first-place prize. Players can also buy directly into the tournament for $110.

August 6 at 12:01 a.m. is the time and date of the first retro freeroll, so players still have a few days left to qualify. They can play any of the cash games offered, which mostly include a low-limit no-limit hold'em game with $1-$1 blinds and a $40 minimum and maximum buy-in, and a $1-$2 no-limit hold'em game. An occasional $2-$5 no-limit hold'em and $3-$6 limit hold'em is also played. The Stratosphere poker room is open for any game as long as there is demand.

The next freeroll is scheduled as a crazy pineapple tournament.

For more information about the freerolls or to contact the poker room at the Stratosphere, call 702-944-4915.

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