August 9, 2012 (Biloxi, MS) — Cards are in the air at IP Casino Resort and Spa in Biloxi, MS for the season-opening tournament of the 2012-13 WSOP Circuit presented by Southern Comfort 100 Proof.
Things kicked off with a $365 No-Limit Hold'em tournament that drew 202 players and had a prize pool of $60,600. Twenty-one players will finish in the money and first place will be awarded $15,757.
Full payout structure.
Day 1 will see players play 21 levels at which time they will bag for the night. Play will resume tomorrow at 3 p.m.
Notable faces among the field include Charles "Woody" Moore, Ryan Tepen, Felicia Johnico, Aaron Massey, local boys Tim Burt and David Nicholson as well as John Dolan and Claudia Crawford. Dolan and Crawford are best known for their runs in the WSOP Main Event -- Dolan's coming in the form of a sixth-place finish in 2010 and Crawford's coming in 2011 when she placed 85th and was among the last women standing.
Two new events are scheduled to take place tomorrow. A $580 No-Limit Turbo begins at 12 p.m. local time and a $365 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament begins at 5 p.m. The 12 p.m. turbo event will play down to a winner, while the 5 p.m. Pot-Limit Omaha event will play 16 levels and come back for a second and final playing session at 2 p.m. the following day.
2012 marks the third-consecutive year the WSOP Circuit has made a home in Biloxi, MS for a 12-day poker extravaganza. But if you're looking for other ways to occupy your time or if poker just isn't your thing, the IP is a 1,088-room property with more than 70,000 square feet of gaming space and eight different restaurants to wet your palette. Additionally, the IP and Shell Landing Golf Club have joined forces to offer hotel guests the opportunity to play one of the country's "most geographically perfect" golf courses.
The IP also boasts Senses Spa & Salon, a full-service spa and salon open from 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday.
The Gulf Coast's 62 miles of shoreline is comprised of some of the country's best beaches and the freshest seafood in the world is served nightly at a variety of local Biloxi restaurants.
The WSOP Circuit events will run through August 20th with the Re-Entry Main Event beginning August 18th.
Like all stops on the 2012-13 WSOP Circuit, the IP will award two seats to the season-ending WSOP National Championship presented by Southern Comfort 100 Proof to take place in New Orleans, LA May 21-23, 2013. One seat will go to the individual who earns the most points over the 12-day series and is crowned the Casino Champion. A second seat will go to the Main Event champion.
Stay glued to WSOP.com for all official updates and follow us on Twitter at @WSOP.