The World Series of Blackjack

Now that the television media and general public have caught onto the thrill of black jack tournaments, there is a whole new field of established tournaments that have been tapped to satisfy the growing demand. The World Series of Blackjack is the most prestigious example having finished the third year (or ‘season’ in TV talk) at the Las Vegas Hilton. Each year the tournament is located at a new casino and produced by the Game Show Network with a growing cash prize pot of today’s 1 million dollars.

Previously the first tournament was held at the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort with MIT Mike who took away the first season prize of $100,000 in 5 instead of the now standard 8 games.

The second season was held at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas where another professional, Ken Einiger came away with the increased $250,000 prize. The show is annually hosted by blackjack hall of fame member Max Rubin and Matt Vasgersian. In the last season Ben Mezrich and John Fugelsang were also added.

The Las Vegas Hilton Million-Dollar Tournament
Held every May, it’s the world’s most prestigious blackjack event with a grand prize of, what else, a million bucks. Not bad for a $1,000 entry fee. But before you can jump into the final high stakes game, you’ll go through the qualifiers. Most high stakes tournaments have several weeks of qualifying games before the final players get to take a shot at the big prize.

Open vs Invitational Tournaments

Once you dig in a little deeper to the world of casino black jack tournaments it quickly becomes clear that it’s a whole new world filled with personalities, rules and an expanding universe of venues beyond Las Vegas and Atlantic City. New casinos open up or expand their blackjack offerings constantly as online blackjack and recent television specials have skyrocketed the profile of the game. Once you’ve cut your teeth enough to jump into a casino tournament, you’ll have a great time. But the truly big league tournaments are often by invitation only to well-known professional blackjack players who make the tournament director’s cut. Thankfully there are also many prestigious high stakes tournaments that are open to players who are daring enough and come prepared with the required entry fee that can be as high as $10,000.

The Most Prestigious Casino Blackjack Tournaments

From March – December 2011
We’ve compiled a list of the most important upcoming casino blackjack tournaments in the US. These are often high stakes but not all of them require an entry fee. While most are located in Las Vegas or Atlantic City there are several outstanding tournaments held in Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Louisiana and Oklahoma and even Canada.

Mar 2 to Mar 4
Las Vegas Hilton (Las Vegas, NV)
$100.000 Blackjack Tournament
$0.00 entry fee, $100.000 prize pool, 1st=$50.000.00

There is not entry fee for this tournament, but you must qualify by being dealt a suited blackjack during a live game with at least a $10 bet anytime before the beginning of the event, Elite or Ultra Card holders are automatically invited, Rooms are $55 for tournament players, They usually get about 750 people in each tournament. Min Bet = $100; Max Bet = $2,500, Usually two advance from each table, A ‘Mulligan will be sold for $100.

Mar 4 to Mar 6Open
Gold Strike Tunica – (Robinsonville, MS)
Full Court Press $50.000 Blackjack Tournament
$200.00 entry fee, $75,00 reentry, $50.000 prize pool, 1st=$25,000.00

To start the tournament off there will first be a separate drawing to pick 5 winners who will receive a signed basketball by the Memphis Grizzlies. The exact format of the tournament has not been disclosed. The first place will receive half of the 25K in table play and the rest in cash. All other winners will receive table play.

Mar 5 to Mar 6 Open
Seneca Niagara Casino – (Niagara Falls, NY)
Buy-In Blackjack Tournament
$500.00 entry fee, $500.00 reentry, $65,000 prize pool, 1st=$35,000.00

If you have 500 points on your player card, you don’t have to pay the entry fee. Eight decks are used. Dealer stands on soft 17. Anyone who makes it the second round will either receive $100 in match play or $100 in Seneca Slot Dollars.

Mar 11 to Mar 13 Open
Kewadin Casino – (St Ignace, MI)
Blackjack Blowout
$250.00 entry fee, $100.00 reentry, $30.000 prize pool, 1st=$12,000.00

There are levels of entry fees: for $250 you get a room for Friday and Saturday and +$35 for Sunday; for $200 it’s the same as above if two players share a room; for $175 there is no room. There are lots of benefits that are attached along with the entry fee.

Mar 16 Open
Ho Chunk Casino – (Baraboo, WI)
Blackjack Blast Tournament
$30.00 entry fee, $30.00 reentry, $3,360 prize pool, 1st=$1,344,00

There are two qualifying rounds with 7 people on each of the 8 tables. Top two chip leaders from each table will move on to the semi-finals. The semi final round will have 6 tables with 6 people playing on each. The chip leader from each table will move on to the final round. 1 Wild card will be drawn for the extra place at the final table.

Mar 18 to Mar 19 Invitational
Horseshoe Bossier City – (Bossier City, LA)
$75,000 Blackjack Tournament
Entry fee unknown, $75,000 prize pool, 1st=$50.000.00

The 7th – 36th place finishers will get a hundred dollars. 7 wildcards get $100. There will be a total of 215 entries. If the attendance isn’t full, let’s hope they pay the full amount like they did previously.

Mar 18 to Mar 20 Open
Island View Casino – (Gulfport, MS)
Luck O The Irish
$50.00 entry fee, $30.000 prize pool, 1st=$20.000.00

During the welcome reception there will be a drawing for $2,500 in promo chips. All the prizes will be awarded half in cash and half in promo. 2nd place is $5K, 3rd is 2.5K and 4th is 1K. You can call them 877-774-8439.

Mar 18 to Mar 20 Open
Golden Nugget Laughlin – (Laughlin, NV)
$20.000 March Mania BJ Tournament
$50.00 entry fee, $50.00 reentry, $20.000 prize pool, 1st=$10.000.00

Each round your bankroll will be $500 in play chips. The tournament is elimination format. 1st place is guaranteed at $10,000; 2nd is $3K; 3rd is $2K; 4th is 1.5K. You may call them 702-298-7111.

Mar 20 to Mar 22 Open
Gold Strike (Tunica) – (Robinsonville, MS)
Field Of Felt $25,000 Tournament
$100.00 entry fee, $50.00 reentry, $25,000 prize pool,

They are being stingy with the details as always. Guaranteed $25K prize pool. They aren’t disclosing the breakdown of the payouts for placing, but my best guess would be half in table play and 1/2 in cash for 1st place and the rest in table play.

Mar 25 Invitational
Palms Casino – (Las Vegas, NV)
100K Blackjack Tournament
Entry fee unknown, $100.000 prize pool,

They aren’t disclosing much except that the prize pool will be $100,000 guaranteed. Try calling them 866-942-7777, maybe you will have better luck but remember that this is an invitational tournament.

Mar 25 to Mar 27 Invitational
Treasure Island – (Las Vegas, NV)
$50.000 Blackjack Tournament
$0.00 entry fee, $50.000 prize pool,

The good news is that you are comped with free 3 nights of lodging, the bad news is that the prizes will be paid only in promo chips. Its invitational but you can still call for details: 800-944-7444

Mar 26 to Mar 27 Open
Golden Nugget – (Las Vegas, NV)
100k Heads-Up Blackjack Tournament
$499,00 entry fee, $100.000 prize pool,

This is pretty straight forward with an elimination format. There lots of goodies that the casino promises. You may call them at 800-634-3403.

Mar 30 Open
Ho Chunk Casino – (Baraboo, WI)
Blackjack Blast Tournament
$30.00 entry fee, $30.00 reentry, $3,360 prize pool, 1st=$1,344,00

Only 112 people will participate so make sure to register quickly. There are two qualifying rounds with 7 people on each of the 8 tables. Top two chip leaders from each table will move on to the semi-finals. The semi final round will have 6 tables with 6 people playing on each. The chip leader from each table will move on to the final round. 1 Wild card will be drawn for the extra place at the final table.

Apr 13 Open
Ho Chunk Casino – (Baraboo, WI)
Blackjack Blast Tournament
$30.00 entry fee, $30.00 reentry, $3,360 prize pool, 1st=$1,344,00

Only 112 people will participate so make sure to register quickly. There are two qualifying rounds with 7 people on each of the 8 tables. Top two chip leaders from each table will move on to the semi-finals. The semi final round will have 6 tables with 6 people playing on each. The chip leader from each table will move on to the final round. 1 Wild card will be drawn for the extra place at the final table.

Apr 22 to Apr 23 Open
Sam’s Town Tunica – (Robinsonville, MS)
$24,000 Blackjack Tournament
$150.00 entry fee, $150.00 reentry, $24,000 prize pool, 1st=$12,000.00

The tournament will be an elimination format. You get two free nights with your entry fee. Each table winner will go to the semi-finals. You can rebuy 5 times. Double deck pitch, no surrender, split up to four hands. Make sure you slide your bet, or they will call it a string bet.

Apr 22 to Apr 23 Invitational
Mirage – (Las Vegas, NV)
$300.000 Blackjack Tournament
$0.00 entry fee, $300.000 prize pool,

Not much is known about this invitational tournament. Call them if you want to know more details 800-627-6667.

Apr 27 Open
Ho Chunk Casino – (Baraboo, WI)
Blackjack Blast Tournament
$30.00 entry fee, $30.00 reentry, $3,360 prize pool, 1st=$1,344,00

Only 112 people will participate so make sure to register quickly. There are two qualifying rounds with 7 people on each of the 8 tables. Top two chip leaders from each table will move on to the semi-finals. The semi final round will have 6 tables with 6 people playing on each. The chip leader from each table will move on to the final round. 1 Wild card will be drawn for the extra place at the final table.

Apr 29 to May 1 Open
Meskwaki Casino – Tama, IA
Meskwaki’s $20,000 1st place
$200.00 entry fee, $50.00 reentry.

There is not a single piece of information available about this tournament except that it’s elimination format. Please call them, perhaps you will have better luck than I did – 800-728-4263 ext 2230

Apr 29 to May 1 Open
Golden Nugget – (Las Vegas, NV)
$100.000 Blackjack Tournament
Entry fee unknown, $100.000 prize pool,

No details available yet. Please call 800-634-3403

May 11 Open
Ho Chunk Casino – (Baraboo, WI)
Blackjack Blast Tournament
$30.00 entry fee, $30.00 reentry, $3,360 prize pool, 1st=$1,344,00

Only 112 people will participate so make sure to register quickly. There are two qualifying rounds with 7 people on each of the 8 tables. Top two chip leaders from each table will move on to the semi-finals. The semi final round will have 6 tables with 6 people playing on each. The chip leader from each table will move on to the final round. 1 Wild card will be drawn for the extra place at the final table.

May 20 to May 22 Open
IP Biloxi – (Biloxi, MS)
$100.000 Blackjack Tournament
$399,00 entry fee, $150.00 reentry, $100.000 prize pool,

Elimination format. No additional information is available yet. You may call them at 800-436-3000.

May 25 Open
Ho Chunk Casino – (Baraboo, WI)
Blackjack Blast Tournament
$30.00 entry fee, $30.00 reentry, $3,360 prize pool, 1st=$1,344,00

Only 112 people will participate so make sure to register quickly. There are two qualifying rounds with 7 people on each of the 8 tables. Top two chip leaders from each table will move on to the semi-finals. The semi final round will have 6 tables with 6 people playing on each. The chip leader from each table will move on to the final round. 1 Wild card will be drawn for the extra place at the final table.

Jun 3 Open
Casino de Charlevoix – (La Malbaie, QC)
Black Jack Classic
$500.00 entry fee, $31,500 prize pool, 1st=$20.000.00

Six decks, stands on soft 17, 3/2 blackjack payout, no surrender. Three splits allowed. There first will be four rounds of accumulation and elimination then the 63 seat tournament will begin. Winnings are tax free for Canadians.

Jun 10 to Jun 12 Open
Kewadin – (Sault St Marie, MI)
Blackjack Blowout
$250.00 entry fee, $100.00 reentry, $30.000 prize pool, 1st=$12,000.00

There are levels of entry fees: for $250 you get a room for Friday and Saturday and +$35 for Sunday; for $200 it’s the same as above if two players share a room; for $175 there is no room. There are lots of benefits that are attached along with the entry fee.

Jul 5 to Jul 7 Open
Las Vegas Hilton – (Las Vegas, NV)
$100.000 Blackjack Tournament
$0.00 entry fee, $100.000 prize pool,

Elimination format and free entry is the only current info available. You may call at 800-732-7117 to squeeze some more details out.

Jul 29 to Jul 31 Open
Kewadin Casino – (St Ignace, MI)
Blackjack Blowout
$250.00 entry fee, $100.00 reentry, $30.000 prize pool, 1st=$12,000.00

There are levels of entry fees: for $250 you get a room for Friday and Saturday and +$35 for Sunday; for $200 it’s the same as above if two players share a room; for $175 there is no room. There are lots of benefits that are attached along with the entry fee.

Sep 23 to Sep 25 Open
Kewadin – (Sault St Marie, MI)
Blackjack Blowout
$250.00 entry fee, $100.00 reentry, $30.000 prize pool, 1st=$12,000.00

There are levels of entry fees: for $250 you get a room for Friday and Saturday and +$35 for Sunday; for $200 it’s the same as above if two players share a room; for $175 there is no room. There are lots of benefits that are attached along with the entry fee.

Oct 6 to Oct 8 Open
Las Vegas Hilton – (Las Vegas, NV)
$100.000 Blackjack Tournament
$0.00 entry fee, $100.000 prize pool,

Free entry. Elimination format. $100k guaranteed. No other info is available but you are welcome to call them at 800-732-7117

Oct 7 to Oct 9 Open
Meskwaki Casino – (Tama, IA)
Meswaki’s $20.000 1st place
$200.00 entry fee, $50.00 reentry,

There is not a single piece of information available about this tournament except that it’s elimination format. Please call them, perhaps you will have better luck than I did – 800-728-4263

Dec 1 to Dec 4 Open
Las Vegas Hilton – (Las Vegas, NV)
$125,000 Table Tournament Series Grand Finale
$0.00 entry fee, $125,000 prize pool,

Free entry. Elimination format. $100k guaranteed. No other info is available but you are welcome to call them at 800-732-7117

Dec 18 Open
San Felipe Casino Hollywood – (San Felipe, NM)
December Blackjack Tournament
$50.00 entry fee,

Everyone who has 25 hours logged of live play gets comped. The casino will add all the buy-ins as well as another $1000. Top three places pay with a split of 50%, 30% and 20%. If you want more info feel free to call 877-529-2946.