Plaza World Poker Classic a Family Affair
Randy Lewis picks up $550,000 1st prize shortly after bizarre 6-handed play clears the smoke
Although the number of players may not have been what the organizers had in mind, there was plenty of excitement at the 11 player one table main event. The Plaza World Poker Classic, held May 17 beside the poker room, was covered by Fox Sports Network. The event is to be aired at different times in different geographic regions. The $50,000 buy-in may have made some players think twice about entering, so it became more of an invitational tournament and a birthday party. A stockbroker day trading type company was one of the tournament's organizers, headed by Bob Bright senior. Bob's brother, son, and 2 daughters, all stock traders by day and poker players by night, along with 6 others, including Vince Burgio, back-to-back-to-back winner of the first 3 events of the tournament were the participants. Burgio is a columnist for Card Player Magazine.
The tournament started around 2 PM, and by 10:30, there were 6 players still remaining and it looked as though it would last all night long. All of a sudden, whether it was because of fatigue, or for whatever reason, the play became extremely loose and at times was 6 handed. By 12:30 AM it was all over. Randy Lewis picked up the only prize, 1st prize, which consisted of 100% of the 11 entry fees, $550,000. For the others, it was both a fun event and an intense competition. From the pre-tournament TV interviews, it was evident that none of the players came to the Plaza Hotel & Casino just to have a good time. They were all serious about winning, while at the same time, interacting with the fans and media. Bobby Bright Jr., after busting out early, was playing poker at one of the low-limit live games, while cheering on his remaining family members. The birthday party was for Bright Sr, one of the pre-tournament favorites in the event. Earl VanAlstyne was the last remaining player besides winner Lewis. The field was rounded out by Don Bright, Tammy Bright, Kelly Schwalbe (Bright Sr's other daughter), Jeff Frerichs, Kris McConnell, and Sig Sigety.
Single table and super satellites began April 18 with multiple buy-in amounts. No-Limit Hold ‘Em tournaments dominated the schedule, but an array of other tournaments such as Seven Card Stud, H.O.R.S.E., Ace to 5 Lowball and Omaha 8 or Better were also planned on select dates. The World Poker Classic culminated on May 17 with a $50,000 buy-in No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament.“For many seasoned poker players, taking the World Series of Poker away from Downtown Las Vegas and changing the date from a slot it filled for decades is sacrilege,” said Ben Magee, director of poker tournaments at the Plaza. “The caliber of the final table buy-in is going to present an opportunity for the pros to win millions and take this tournament to the level a major downtown tournament was meant to be.”
| Event | Date | Tournament | Buy-In | Start Time |
| April 19 – May 11 | Single Table Satellites | Multiple | 24 Hours | |
| April 20 – May 16 | Second Chance | $300 | 10 p.m. | |
| April 20 – May 10 | Super Satellites | $225 | 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |
| 1 | April 20 | Casino Employees | $500 | Noon | 2 | April 21 | No Limit Hold ‘Em | $1,500 | Noon | 3 | April 22 | Pot Limit Hold ‘Em | $1,000 | Noon | 4 | April 24 | No Limit Hold ‘Em | $2,000 | Noon | 5 | April 24 | Limit Omaha 8 or Better | $1,500 | Noon | 6 | April 25 | Stud | $1,000 | Noon | 7 | April 26 | No Limit Hold ‘Em | $1,000 | Noon | 8 | April 27 | Stud 8 or Better | $1,500 | Noon | 9 | April 28 | Limit Hold ‘Em | $1,000 | Noon | 10 | April 29 | Ace-5 | $1,500 | Noon | 11 | April 29 | No Limit Hold ‘Em | $500 | 2 p.m. | 12 | April 30 | Pot Limit Omaha | $2,000 | Noon | 13 | May 1 | Seniors No Limit Hold ‘Em | $1,000 | Noon | 14 | May 2 | Horse | $1,500 | Noon | 15 | May 2 | No Limit Hold ‘Em | $500 | 2 p.m. | 16 | May 3 | Limit Hold ‘Em | $3,000 | Noon | 17 | May 4 | Pot Limit Hold ‘Em | $2,500 | Noon | 18 | May 5 | No Limit Hold ‘Em | $500 | Noon | 19 | May 6 | Omaha 8 or Better | $2,500 | Noon | 20 | May 7 | No Limit Hold ‘Em | $500 | Noon | 21 | May 8 | Ladies No Limit Hold ‘Em | $500 | 2 p.m. | 22 | May 8 | Stud Hi | $3,000 | Noon | 23 | May 9 | Shootout No Limit Hold ‘Em | $3,000 | Noon | 24 | May 10 | Media Charity | $500 | Noon | 25 | May 10 | Super Satellites | $225 | 10 a.m./3 p.m./7 p.m./11 p.m. | 26 | May 11 – May 15 | No Limit Hold ‘Em CANCELLED | $10,000 | May 16 | No Limit Hold ‘Em | $50,000 | May 17 | Final Table |
Venue
Plaza Hotel and Casino Poker Room Area
Dates
| Starts: | April 18, 2005 |
| Ends: | May 17, 2005 |