Legends of Poker brings big names to Bicycle Hotel & Casino

(PRESS RELEASE) -- An estimated $7 million prize pool is sure to lure some decorated sharks. This August, the eyes of the poker world will be on The Bicycle Hotel & Casino as it hosts the World Poker Tour during its annual Legends of Poker 2017 tournament. The main events of the month-long tournament run 22–29 August and are set to feature two of pokers most notable superstars, Phil Hellmuth and Antonio Esfandiari. Hellmuth will play the WPT Main Event on 25 August, and Esfandiari is playing Mega Millions Day 2 on 22 August.

This marks the 16th season of the WPT Legends of Poker tournament at the Bicycle Hotel & Casino, which has hosted the tour since its inception in 2002 and is one of just three chartered members of the WPT. The 28-event festival of poker culminates in the WPT Main Event on 25 August through 31 August. Last year the prize pool was over $2,500,000 with the champion's take at approximately $600,000 in addition to winning a luxurious Hublot watch and an automatic $15,000 entry into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions. The $4,000 buy-in televised event features three starting flights, and players who are eliminated during Day 1A, 1B or 1C may re-enter the following day. Players who are unable to bag chips during one of the three starting flights may also buy-in before the start of Day 2. Season 16 WPT Legends of Poker at the Bicycle Hotel & Casino is scheduled to air in May 2018 on FOX Sports Regional Networks.

Regarded by the poker community as one of the greatest players of all time, Hellmuth has 13 WPT cashes for a total of $1,111,260 on the main tour, although he is still gunning for his first title. His notorious table persona has earned him the moniker "The Poker Brat." Known as "The Magician" for his previous career as an illusionist, Esfandiari is a two-time WPT champion, with six total trips to an official final table and 15 cashes on the main tour. He's raked in $2,997,117 on the circuit. A constant since Season I, some of the biggest names in poker have captured the WPT Legends of Poker title, including Doyle Brunson (Season III), Dan Harrington (Season VI), Andy Frankenberger (Season IX) and defending champion Pat Lyons (Season XV). Lyons outlasted 687 entries to earn the $615,346 first-place prize.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with the World Poker Tour and for the return of our very own Legends of Poker," said Hashem Minaiy, Managing Partner and CEO of The Bicycle Hotel & Casino. "It's definitely a tournament not to be missed this season with the impressive prize pools."

Stay and play with the pros at The Bicycle Hotel & Casino during the Legends of Poker tournament. Enter promo code 'WPTLEGEND' to recieve 20% off best available rates.

24-25 August: $208
26-27 August: $208
28-29 August: $208
30-31 August: $184