FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 7/21/2009

Poker Stars Vanessa Rousso and Chad Brown Host Gulf Coast Poker Championship and Big Slick Boot Camp

$5,000 Buy-In Main Event Brings Top Players to Biloxi for Labor Day Weekend

BILOXI, Miss. – Poker action returns to MGM MIRAGE’s Beau Rivage in Biloxi with the Gulf Coast Poker Championship Sept. 3-14. Poker stars Vanessa Rousso and Chad Brown will serve as the official celebrity hosts of the Gulf Coast Poker Championship tournament and player’s party. Fifteen tournament events will be spread out over twelve action-filled days with buy-ins from $300 up to $5,000 for the Gulf Coast Poker Championship Main Event on Sept. 12. During the event, there will be daily No-Limit Hold’em Tournaments, $300 + $30 Mega Satellites and Single Table Satellites, with buy-ins ranging from $45-$450, every day, and $175 buy-in + $25 entry fee Nightly Tournaments. In addition, Rousso will bring her game theory and poker strategy instructional workshop - Big Slick Boot Camp- to Biloxi on September 11.

“The Gulf Coast Poker Championship is one of five major poker events we host at our MGM MIRAGE Mississippi resorts each year and the second in the series at Beau Rivage” said George P. Corchis, Jr., president and chief operating officer of MGM MIRAGE’s Mississippi Operations, which includes Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica. “In addition to the prize money, the winner of the Gulf Coast Poker Championship Event ($5,000 buy-in +$150 entry fee) will win a $10,000 seat in the World Poker Tour Southern Poker Championship Main Event scheduled to take place at Beau Rivage in January 2010.”

In addition to No-Limit Hold’em tournaments, other events in the Gulf Coast Poker Championship include Pot Limit Omaha with Rebuys; A-5 Low-Ball/2-7 Low-Ball/Badugi Draw; Limit Omaha High-Low and a Seven Card Stud/Stud 8 Mixed Event. The popular Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) No-Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament ($300 buy in + $40 entry fee) will take place on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m.
Gulf Coast Poker Championship registration begins at 6 p.m. on Sept. 3 and is open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Room rates for players participating in the Gulf Coast Poker Championship are $59 weekday and $99 weekend plus taxes and resort fee. For room reservations or more information, please contact Donna at 228.386.7254. Blind structures and other details can be found on-line at www.beaurivage.com.

“MGM MIRAGE Mississippi’s five high-stakes poker tournaments provide an opportunity for poker enthusiasts of all levels to compete in a variety of events at both Beau Rivage in Biloxi and Gold Strike in Tunica,” said Ken Lambert, Jr., MGM MIRAGE Mississippi regional director of poker operations. “The tournaments grow in buy-ins and lead up to January’s World Poker Tour Southern Poker Championship and a chance to win a $25,500 seat in the WPT World Championship at Bellagio in April 2010.”

MGM MIRAGE MISSISSIPPI – REMAINING 2009 POKER TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
o July 23-August 11
World Poker Open (Gold Strike) - $5,000 Main Event Buy-In

o Sept. 3-14
Gulf Coast Poker Championship (Beau Rivage)
$5,000 Main Event Buy-In

o Jan. 6-27, 2010
Southern Poker Championship- $10,000 Main Event Buy-In

With high ceilings and an open floor plan, Beau Rivage’s smoke-free poker room is one of the most spacious and comfortable in the South. Located past a striking onyx and marble entryway, the poker room’s 16 tables are accentuated by luxurious leather-paneled walls. The room offers a variety of popular games including Texas Hold’em, 7-Card Stud and Omaha High Low Split, and a high stakes area where No-Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha encourage players to go all in. Dedicated amenities include personal safety deposit boxes, knowledgeable staff available 24 hours a day, tableside food and beverage service, daily tournaments and free lessons upon request.

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For More Information:
Mary Cracchiolo-Spain, Beau Rivage
mcracchiolo@beaurivage.com
(228) 386-7134