[Clipper]

Thanks to Harrahs, the single table satellites at the Grand will totally YANK!!! Avoid them, they are traps, designed to separate you from your money as fast as possible! The structure is probably the worst I have ever, ever seen (casino or home game). If you go to Tunica in January, go to the Gold Strike. Gold Strike & Horseshoe partner up to host this event, with Jack Binion still involved. Jack knows how to host a tourney series. You will have very good structure for the 1-table satellites, providing plenty of play. Also, comps at Gold Strike are far better - Harrahs will not give you anything in return for your play. Last Jan. I went to Grand in Tunica (they had a circuit event) while the Gold Strike was having the Jack Binion World Poker Open. Guess where all (I mean almost all) of the pro's were? They were at the Gold Strike. Sometimes you would see a recognizable face at the Grand - say if a guy like Robert Williamson wanted to play in the $1,000 Omaha tourney or something.

I took one look at the 1-table satellites at the Grand and wanted to puke. The entry fee was something like 30% of cost, the stacks were short, rounds short - I think 5-10 min or something, and blinds increased at lightening speed. It was a f'ing joke!

I went back to Gold Strike to play in their 1-table sats. Rounds were 15 min. and you got a generous amount of chips.

I guess you can tell that I think Harrahs is a blood/money thirsty leach that is doing it's best to suck the life out of poker! Another joke, the WSOP having 50-something bracelet events!

Call the Gold Strike and ask to speak to the Poker Room. Then ask to speak to the Poker Room Manager, she will take care of you. Tell them you are coming into town to play poker, and they will give you a very good rate ($50 or something in that ballpark). You only have to play 5 hrs/day.