Manne wrote:
DURANT, OK -- In just a couple days hundreds of people will head to the Choctaw Casino in Durant for the second annual World Series of Poker Circuit event.
From Thursday the 12th through the 23rd of January players will have the chance to win big bucks and play for the championship title at this year's circuit tour. There are a total of 52 events in the coming weeks, and players are already putting on their poker faces. For some poker's not just a game, it's a way of life. Garrett says he started playing poker semi-professionally back in 2009.
"There's this saying of poker 'it takes a minute to learn, but a lifetime to master', and that's very true," Garrett said. "The games constantly evolving, players are changing, players are becoming better, and especially with the internet."
He has played in high stakes tournaments across the U.S., but this is his first time at the World Series of Poker event.
Choctaw Casino Poker Room Manager Ken Lambert says in less than 48 hours they will have a full house. About a thousand people like Garrett are expected to fill the room for the tournament, all of them hoping for an ace in the hole.
"It gets real competitive around here. As the field narrows down, and the players become more serious," Lambert said.
Lambert says the tournament is not just for experienced players that anyone can join in, and they do. In the past, the tournament has drawn up to 15,000 visitors, which makes the event a 'win-win' for the players and Durant's economy.
Lambert says he game does require skill, but sometimes even amateurs get lucky.
"Make sure you play good cards, but more than anything be patient you don't have to get your money in there all at once," Lambert said.
"Tight is right. Play tight. And you want to play aggressive you want to put pressure on your opponents and make them make tough decisions," Garrett said.
Both Lambert and Garrett agree it is not just about playing your cards right that having a stern poker face is key.
"If you're smiling too much, laughing too much or too many expressions you've lost your poker face," Lambert said.
Lambert says buy-ins will be priced between $300 and $1,600 dollars.
Anyone can sign up to play starting tomorrow.
To contact the casino for more information visit their website at
choctawcasinos.com.