Online Poker News » July 2007 » July 14, 2007.

Winners of July 14-15 Ladies Dream Weekend Event May Claim a Seat in LA Poker Classic Women's Tournament.

The Commerce Casino's Ladies Dream Weekend will be the second event of the Ladies Poker Association's LPA Pro Tour. "Serious women playing serious poker" - LPA style! Women will have an opportunity to win a poker championship without having to wade through a crowded male-dominated field. Tournament finalists will earn points in the newly established LPA Ladies Poker Ranking System. Plus, ladies will be treated to a weekend's worth of poker pampering - wine tasting, gourmet food, and an instructional poker seminar.

As a bonus, one woman will win a spot in Commerce Casino's LA Poker Classic's "Ladies' Championship" - which could lead to a seat in the World Poker Tour World Championship(T) (a $25,000 buy-in event) and the WPT Celebrity Invitational(T), among the most coveted events in poker.

Initially staged in 2002, the "Ladies' Poker Dream Weekend" at Commerce casino is slated to be the perfect poker getaway for a woman who wants to play hard but unwind in luxury. "We wanted to give women poker enthusiasts a special weekend of activities all their own, something that made them feel at home," said Cheri Dokken, Tournament Director of Commerce Casino.

"It's time the ladies got their very own tour and ranking system," says Crystal Osgood, founder of the Ladies Poker Association. "The Ladies Poker Dream Weekend, the second event in the LPA Pro Tour is all about serious women playing serious poker. There are many events out there for the ladies to play at the $100-$200 level. But we wanted to give women their very own pro tour, with a standard amount of starting chips, a comfortable structure and plenty of time between rounds. Add that to the first ever Ladies Professional Ranking System, and you have a very exciting weekend of serious poker - just for the ladies."

In addition to the wine tasting and buffet lunch, the Sunday event features a poker seminar taught by two of the most respected women in the game, Cheri Dokken and Star Pulver (formerly Star McCormick). Cheri Dokken, the Tournament Director of Commerce Casino for the last 13 years, is considered the consummate Tournament Director of Poker having been a dealer, pro player, and tournament director mentored by Jack McClelland. Pulver, also a veteran Tournament Director, will team up with Dokken to give an illuminating seminar focusing on how to avoid common mistakes, deal making, and final table play. The two of them have more than a decade of poker experience to share, from a women's perspective.

The schedule for the two ladies events is the following:

Saturday, July 14th:
- No Limit Holdem $291 buy-in + $9 service charge + $35 entry fee
- 9am - Satellites available
- 11am - Registration opens
- 11am-2pm - Wine Tasting and Buffet
- 2pm - Tournament Begins
- Entry gifts to all participants - Trophy to first place

Sunday, July 15th:
- No Limit Hold'em $485 buy-in + $15 service charge + $45 entry fee
- 9am - Satellites available
- 11am - Registration opens
- 11am-1pm - Buffet
- 1pm-2:30pm - Poker Seminar with Star Pulver and Cheri Dokken
- Entry gifts to all participants
- Trophy to first place - Winner to receive a seat the LA Poker Classic Ladies

The champion of the Sunday event will win a seat in the LA Poker Classic Ladies Tourney at Commerce (in February, 2008), in which 200-300 women will vie for a seat in the World Poker Tour World Championship(T) and the WPT Celebrity Invitational(T). The $25,000 World Poker Tour World Championship(T), staged each year at Bellagio casino in April, will offer a $15 million+ prize purse.

"Only once before-the first Ladies Poker Weekend-was there a woman's tournament offering an entré to a championship tournament with a $25,000 buy-in," said Cheri Dokken. "Catch this rare opportunity when you can! If you win here, you're assured a $25,000 seat at the table-free and clear! No having to win your way up through satellites!"

The WPT Celebrity Invitational(T) seat is exciting to a poker fan because you cannot buy your way in. It's strictly invitational event that will be held at Commerce in March, the tournament features 200 top poker pros, plus a stellar line up celebrities including such names James Woods, Jason Alexander, Mimi Rogers, Stephen Collins, Jon Favreau, Jennifer Tilly, Sara Rue, James Garner, Kevin Weisman, David Sutcliffe, Lou Diamond Phillips, Anne Heche, Ron Livingston, Camryn Manheim, Joshua Morrow, Kathy Griffin, Carlos Bernard, Shannon Elizabeth, Mimi Rogers, Cheryl Hines, Ricki Lake, Norm McDonald and more.

"If you're a serious poker playing woman, now's the time to go 'all-in at the Commerce Casino,'" said Dokken. "You'll have a great time and have a chance at a $15 million payday or a chance to play with stars."

About Ladies Poker Association
The Ladies Poker Association and LadiesPokerAssociation.com, was established to recognize Women in the Sport of Poker, providing, membership, and an online magazine, including news, original articles, interviews, education and events. As part of our mission we established the first ladies professional poker ranking system and the LPA Pro Tour to better support our mission of providing opportunities and recognition to our membership base. For more information, visit LPA LadiesPokerAssociation.com website.

About Commerce Casino
Commerce Casino is the largest poker casino in the world. There are more than 200 poker tables featuring just about every form of poker: Texas Hold'Em, 7-Card Stud, Omaha, Pot Limit, Lowball, Mexican Poker, Pineapple, Draw and many others. Also offered are Pan and California games.

Commerce Casino is also recognized for its innovative "Bring Your Home Game to Commerce" program which enables poker fans to invite their friends and family for a casual home game, bachelor party or birthday celebration with a professional dealer in the casino setting.

Commerce Casino is located at 6131 East Telegraph Rd., Commerce, CA 90040, just off the Santa Ana (5) Freeway at the Washington Blvd. exit. The phone is (323) 721-2100. For more information, go to Commercecasino.com.

Tags: Poker Classic, Commerce Casino, LA Poker, Dream Weekend.