An upcoming Texas poker tournament will set a state record with a $1 million guarantee, and two past world champs will compete in it. One of them — Chris Moneymaker — is so stoked for the event that he’s coming out of live poker retirement just to play.
The event we’re referring to is the $1,300 buy-in Main Event of the Lone Star Poker Series at the new Champions Poker Club in Houston, Texas. The tournament begins with Day 1A on April 26, with additional Day 1 flights each day through May 1 (Day 1F). Day 2 of the $1 million guaranteed Texas poker tournament, runs May 2, one day before the series concludes with the final table.
In total, the Lone Star Poker Series, which begins April 15, guarantees at least $1.5 million in prize money awarded over 16 events. The historic event in a state that has been strict with its gambling laws for decades opens with the $400 buy-in 2021 Spring Series Kick Off, a no-limit hold’em tournament with six Day 1 starting flights and at least $150,000 up for grabs.
Everything is Big in Texas
But the biggest event in Texas poker history, the inaugural Texas State $1 Million Guaranteed Main Event, begins April 27 at the Houston card club. The tournament is so juicy and enticing that Chris Moneymaker, the 2003 WSOP Main Event champion, is coming out of his short-lived live poker retirement to compete. And he isn’t the only former world champ who will be in attendance. Greg Raymer, the 2004 WSOP winner, is also coming to town for the historic event. He let it be known on Twitter by talking some trash with his pal, Moneymaker.
Seems there is going to be a problem. I'm coming in to play this event also. And this town ain't big enough for the both of us! Something has to give, and it ain't gonna be me, pardner! https://t.co/vctDiaa6o4
— Greg Raymer (@FossilMan) April 7, 2021
“Seems there is going to be a problem. I’m coming in to play this event also. And this town ain’t big enough for the both of us! Something has to give, and it ain’t gonna be me, pardner!” Raymer wrote in response to Moneymaker announcing he’s going to compete in the big poker tournament.
Moneymaker wasn’t going to sit back and just take it from his fellow former poker world champion. The new Americas Cardroom ambassador asked Raymer, “Did you book your flight home for Saturday night already?”
Shots fired. Perhaps, this will be the start of the next big heads-up match in poker.
