The California State Championship (CSC) will take place at the Commerce Casino, features 19 events from September 4th to 22nd and it is expected to attract not only local players but also national poker pros who will try to grab a share of the $7 million prize pool.
Buy-ins range from $220 to $2,580, which means that there is the opportunity for all levels of poker player to shine. For example, last year, Lance Allred, from Pasadena, netted $345,470 and beating 418 other players after only two years in the game.
Meanwhile the Main Event winner was El Monte's Hieu 'Tony' Ma, who beat 214 other poker aces to pocket $384,025.
Commerce Casino is also the home casino of many poker stars including 2007 World Series of Poker (WSOP) champion Jaime Gold, Scott Lazar, who won$1.5 million after finishing sixth in 2005's WSOP.
Champions of the World Poker Tour (WPT) who claim Commerce Casino as their base include Phil Laak, Tuan Le and Antonio Esfandiari.
In 2007, the CSC tables will only feature six players instead of ten and there will be special games including the Ladies No Limit Hold'em tournament, the winner of which will receive a $1,060 buy-in to the Ladies event at the LA Poker Classic and a $25,000 buy-in to the WPT World Championship.
"The California State Poker Championship is a great opportunity for a West Coast poker player to establish a name," said Cheri Dokken, Commerce Casino tournament director. "Winning this event says you've arrived. The competition is strong and the rewards ample. With the high-quality poker at the California State Championship might even be incubating the next WSOP or WPT champion."
The California State Championship (CSC) will take place at the Commerce Casino, features 19 events from September 4th to 22nd and it is expected to attract not only local players but also national poker pros who will try to grab a share of the $7 million prize pool.