The return of the Deaf Poker Tour, Bally’s on the verge of beating three rivals in Chicago, and BetMGM connecting with the Aria Poker Classic are some of the short stacks CardsChat picked up in last week’s orbit of the poker world.
Bally’s Corporation is most likely the big winner in Chicago after it was recommended to receive the city’s only available casino license, but the process is far from over.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office chose Bally’s plans over ones submitted by Rivers and Hard Rock casinos. The city council and the state’s gambling control board must still give their approvals before the license is awarded and construction begins.
A poker room is included in Bally’s plans to build a $1.7 billion casino in the old Tribune Publishing Plant on the corner of Chicago Avenue and Halstead Street in River West. A temporary casino will go up in the old Bloomingdale’s Home Store in River North while the Tribune property is being built, which could take three years.
The new casino will have 3,400 slots, 170 table games, a 500-room hotel tower with rooftop bar, a 3,000-seat entertainment center, and an outdoor music venue.
A public presentation where people can air their concerns will take place on Thursday, May 12, at the UIC Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum at 725 W Roosevelt Rd. at 7 p.m. Representatives from the city and Bally’s Corporation will be there to share additional information, respond to questions, and hear from community members.
Deaf Poker Tour stops in Philly
The Deaf Poker Tour returns from May 12-14 at Live! Casino in Philadelphia following a two-year hiatus. Started by six friends in 2006, this is the 51st series and the first in Philly. More than 100 hearing-impaired players are expected to play in the seven events.
The dealers are required to be trained in some sign language, but they shouldn’t stress out too much about it — sign language interpreters will be there and writing materials will be available at each table to bridge the communication gap.
“We’re thrilled to host The Deaf Poker Tour for their first tournament in Philadelphia,” said Anne Tran, Director of Poker at Live! Casino Philadelphia in a press release. “It is truly inspiring to see so many people with an affinity for the game communicate in a different way than we’re used to in the poker room. The tournament provides us with the opportunity to bridge the gap between the hearing world and the deaf community and we’re very proud of it.”
The schedule can be found here.
BetMGM pairs with Aria, spreads online satellites into its Poker Classic Championship
BetMGM will be sponsoring the $1 million guarantee event at the 2022 Aria Poker Classic, and it’s spreading satellites across its online poker platforms in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey.
The satellites to the $3,500 BetMGM Poker Championship are also running on Borgata’s poker skin because the sites both use PartyGaming’s platform and share players. It’s a step satellite scheme: players win their way into the $20 satellites through the $5 tournaments, and earn seats in the $100 satellites through the $20 events.
Seats to the $500 final are awarded in the $100 events. Players have until Sunday, June 12 to advance to the $500 final where $6,000 prize packages will be won, with the money covering the championship buy-in, travel costs, and a room at the Aria.
Players can buy-in at any level. The schedule for the 46-event Aria Poker Classic can be found here.
