Black Hawk poker tourney gives underdogs chance at limelight

Black Hawk will again set the stage for the nationally-televised Heartland Poker Tour, which hits to Golden Gates Casino & Poker Parlour April 1-10. Players will come from all over the country for their chance at a big-time payday.

No stranger to Golden Gates, eight previous HPT stops at the casino were hugely popular.

“Our players love this event,” said Golden Gates General Manager Shannon Keel of the Texas No Limit Hold’em poker tour with affordable buy-ins. “The opportunity to play on TV is a huge draw, but nothing brings them in like the prize money.”

Since 2007, HPT has awarded over $4.5 million in prize money at Golden Gates. Last year in Black Hawk on the HPT, Mark Dunbar of Minnesota, pictured, won $182,100 and Matt Mason of Littleton won $188,955. The size of the prize pool is determined by the number of players in the field, with hopefuls entering for as little as $120.

The nationally televised event is projected to bring in an excess of $1 million to the area through travel, lodging, food, and gaming expenses. Records show players travel from at least 20 states to play HPT at Golden Gates.

Darvin Moon, 2009 World Series of Poker runner up, is scheduled to make the trip up the hill for a crack at a six-figure payday.

Moon gained fame in 2009 as the underdog of the November Nine, a casual player who won his main event seat through a $130 satellite tournament near his Maryland home. In a rags-to-riches story that could have been scripted in Hollywood, he went on to finish second against Joe Cada for $5.18 million.

“Darvin is our kind of guy,” said HPT president Todd Anderson, “He’s worked hard his entire life and now lives the dream that attracts so many to the game.”

Moon became a fan favorite among HPT’s loyal tour regulars when he declined an invitation for the November Nine taping in 2010 to play an HPT stop in Iowa. “In a short period of time, he’s become a close friend,” said HPT executive producer Greg Lang. “Like most of our players, Darvin enjoys the lively atmosphere of our tour,” adding HPT events are known to be less-stressful than other high-profile tournaments.

Since its creation in 2005, HPT itself has been an underdog in the world of poker. Most events take place far from the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, instead serving casual players like Moon in America’s heartland. HPT recently announced Moon will be an official ambassador for the tour, wearing HPT branding whenever he plays poker.

The upcoming event in Colorado’s popular gaming town will be produced into two one-hour episodes and broadcast nationwide in May. Heartland Poker Tour is available on TV in over 100 million U.S. households, in addition to widespread distribution throughout Europe and the Caribbean. In the Denver area, HPT airs as often as 20 times per week on Altitude Sports, MAVTV, and other networks.

Qualifying rounds start today, April 1 for those who hope to win their way into the Main Event. Players may also buy directly into the Main Event on April 8 and 9, with play continuing until the field is reduced to six. The remaining six will participate in on-camera interviews and move to the HPT set, assembled on site, to compete for the coveted championship on April 10. Anyone interested in viewing the taping may get a seat in the audience by arriving on the 10th by 5 p.m.

Structures and schedules for the upcoming televised event can be found at hptpoker.com.

By the Numbers

Since 2007, Golden Gates has hosted the HPT eight times, awarding $4,589,550 to date

Top Colorado finishers
Kyle Simpson, Morrison – $191,340
Matt Mason, Littleton – $188,955
Mike Thulson, Centennial – $180,810
John Sacha, Denver – $174,375
William Givens, Denver – $144,765
Andreas Ramadanis, Denver – $174,780
Michael Haggard, Evergreen – $129,780

Player by state
The April 2010 HPT event at Golden Gates drew players from 21 states:
Colorado
California
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio Virginia
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Wisconsin
Wyoming