Poker is constantly changing. Games and variations evolve very slowly. Only a few games – such as Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud -- mature to the point of becoming part of the collective consciousness of the poker community. On this day however, poker may very well have seen the birth of a new variant.
This first-ever live “Double-Stacked Turbo No-Limit Hold’em” tournament was held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. As part of the World Series of Poker Circuit, this gold ring event blasted away expectations as 329 players shattered the projections or organizers, who were expecting a more modest-sized field.
The turbo concept has already been tried and tested in tournament play. Several WSOP Circuits experimented with the new format this year and last, which is designed to play large fields down to a single winner in one day (most WSOP Circuit events are two-day tournaments). Caesars Palace instituted an extra zinger at this year’s series, by giving players twice as many chips at the start. Although rounds were shorter than in standard tournaments (25 minutes), the extra chips generated lots of play for the players, especially those who lasted most of the 12-hour marathon.
The first ever live “Double-Stacked Turbo No-Limit” Champion is Gary Brand, from Dundee, Scotland. Brand is an international traveler and has many unusual life experiences. He actually lives in Cairo, Egypt, although he proudly considers Scotland his home. Brand works as a teacher. An avid music lover, Brand also was once a guest conductor of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. Brand is currently on a vacation to Las Vegas. He won the event when the five top players agreed to make a deal. Brand officially collected $22,979 in prize money, plus the coveted gold ring which is awarded to all WSOP Circuit event champions.
With ten events now completed at Caesars Palace, the tournament has attracted more than 2,000 total entries and has awarded in excess of $1.5 million in total prize money. Still to come are 12 more gold ring events which continue through April 30th.