FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2/20/2009

Beau Rivage Hosts Spring Break Poker Classic

$2,500 Buy-In Main Event Brings Top Players to Biloxi for First Tournament in 2009 Series

BILOXI, Miss. – Poker action returns to MGM MIRAGE’s Beau Rivage in Biloxi with the Spring Break Poker Classic March 27-April 13. Twenty-two tournament events will be spread out over eighteen action-filled days with buy-ins from $200 up to $2,500 for the Spring Break Poker Classic Championship Event on April 8. In addition, there will be daily No-Limit Hold’em Tournaments, $270 + $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.

“The Spring Break Poker Classic is one of five major poker events we host at our MGM MIRAGE Mississippi resorts each year and the first 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 Spring Break Poker Championship Event ($2,500 buy-in +$100 entry fee) will win a $5,150 seat in the Gulf Coast Poker Championship Main Event scheduled to take place at Beau Rivage in September 2009.”

In addition to No-Limit Hold’em tournaments, other events in the Spring Break Poker Classic include Omaha 8/B; Pot Limit Omaha with Rebuys; Stud 8 or Better; Six Handed No-Limit Hold’em and HOSE. The popular Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) No-Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament ($300 buy in + $40 entry fee) will take place on Sunday, April 5 at 11 a.m. The final event of the Spring Break Poker Classic, a No-Limit Hold’em charity tournament ($100 buy-in + $25 entry fee) benefitting the Mississippi Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Non-Violence, will take place on Easter Sunday, April 12 at noon.

Spring Break Poker Classic registration begins at 6 p.m. on March 27 and is open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Room rates for players participating in the Spring Break Poker Classic are $79 weekday and $99 weekend. 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 - POKER TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
o March 5-16 Spring Poker Classic (Gold Strike) – $2,500 Main Event
o March 27-April 13 Spring Break Poker Classic (Beau Rivage) - $2,500 Main Event
o July 24-August 10 World Poker Open (Gold Strike) - $5,000 Main Event
o Sept. 3-14 Gulf Coast Poker Championship (Beau Rivage) $5,000 Main Event
o January 2010 Southern Poker Championship- $10,000 Main Event

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