Bellagio to Host the World Poker Tour Again

The World Poker Tour has announced its return to Bellagio for its star studded event, the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic to run from Friday, November 28 through Friday, December 19.  The three week event was created by Bellagio to honor Doyle “Texas Dolly” Brunson and will offer 10 no limit hold’em tournaments, seven super satellites and a senior no limit contest. 
 
Entrance fees for all tournaments range from $1,500 to $5,000.  The World Poker Tour main event scheduled to be held Saturday, December 13 through Friday, December 19 with an entrance fee of $15,000.  As well as taking home the first place prize money, the Champion will get a $25,000 seat in the April 2009 World Poker Tour World Championship also held at Bellagio.  Players can now register for the event at Bellagio’s Poker Room .
 
The 2007 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic held last December, was won by first time World Poker Tour winner and professional poker player, Eugene Katchalov of Brooklyn, New York who took home an impressive $2,482,605.  The 2007 tournament at Bellagio attracted a record 664 players for a hefty total prize pool of over $9.6 million.
 
“Doyle always has been a strong supporter and friend of Bellagio. We Cherish our partnership not only with him but all of the players. We expect another strong turnout for December’s event and look forward to Eugene’s (Katchalov) attempt to defend his title.” said Doug Dalton, director of poker operations for Bellagio.
 
Brunson who captured the first of his 10 World Champion bracelets in 1976 and his first WPT win at the Season III Legends of Poker tournament remains one of the most well known and respected names in poker.  The Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic main event’s final table will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net as part of the WPT Season VII television lineup which is set to begin airing during the FSN Sunday night sports block in 2009.