World Poker Tour Hollywood Poker Open Starts Tomorrow

Indiana’s Hollywood Casino opens its doors to the poker world tomorrow.

The midwestern state of Indiana has played host to more than a few World Series of Poker Circuit events in the past thanks to the presence of Horseshoe casinos in both the northern and southern parts of the state. But the World Poker Tour has always been elusive – until now. This weekend will see the WPT pull in to Lawrenceburg, Ind., for a five-day stay that will leave one lucky player at least several hundred thousand dollars richer as the first champion of the Hollywood Poker Open.

Much of the Hollywood Casino’s market comes from southern Ohio since the nearest major city is Cincinnati. That state voted last year to open four casinos of its own, but they have yet to be built. Given that local players would have to travel up to eight hours from home to find a comparable event, the Hollywood poker room is where it’s at for southern Ohio rounders.

The field should be composed mostly of local satellite winners or regulars who have the bankroll to drop on a $10K, but there will also be some name pros in attendance. Hoyt Corkins and Gavin Smith are both expected to turn up for the first WPT event in Indiana, and last year’s WPT Legends of Poker winner Prahlad Friedman mentioned on Twitter last night that he’s not planning on skipping this event.

It would be no surprise to see one of those three, or perhaps another pro, at next Wednesday’s final table. But given the way most of these big tournaments go, any pro at the table is probably going to have to work his way through four or five satellite winners who have run extremely well on home turf. Whatever happens, you’ll be able to watch the two episodes of the Hollywood Poker Open TV table in June of this year on FOX Sports Net.