If it's not quite warm enough for you yet in the UK, a pre-WSOP trip to Nevada might be in order -
and the Mandalay Bay resort and casino is hosting poker on a pretty large scale - with the biggest event just underway. That's the $10,000 +$200 WPT event running from June 4th-7th with the final being Televised in that format we all have grown to know and love on June 8th.
So far the events have all been No Limit Hold'em freezeouts, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, so not for the short of bankroll, with a couple recent victories going to Michael Mizrachi (winner of the $2,000 on Wednesday, also cashed in the $1,500), and Brian Haveson (winner of the most recent $2,500 event). Well known Americans Kathy Liebert and Tom McEvoy's names also appear on the money lists, and it looks like at least a decent handful of USA-based players don't seem too worried about the prospect of spending their entire summer in air-conditioned ballrooms in Las Vegas.
In fact, it's not a terrible idea to host the Mandalay Bay Poker Championship before the World Series frenzy picks up - a relaxing week in a pleasant hotel (I seem to remember there being an excellent Lazy River) before the harsh enormity of the Rio.
It's only really just gotten started, but should be interesting - 20,000 chips, 90 minute levels and players like Scott Fischman, Freddy Deeb, Barry Greenstein, Mike Matusow and the rest of the regulars. Incidentally, it will be interesting to see how many of this lot make it across the pond for the Rendez-vous a Paris WPT event less than a fortnight away (which blonde will be updating...)