World Series of Poker

 

Play begins at the world’s largest, richest and longest-running poker tournament.

The action kicks off Sunday, May 27 at noon for the annual Casino Employees Event – a unique event that brings all casino employees around the country together under one roof.

On Memorial Day Monday, huge crowds of poker players will descend on Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino for a $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament that serves as the first official open WSOP gold bracelet event.

The World Series of Poker is the gaming industry’s premier event, each year drawing tens of thousands of poker enthusiasts from around the globe toLas Vegas to compete for millions in prize money and the game’s most coveted trophy – a World Series of Poker Champion’s Bracelet.

Rio Hotel and Casino

Steve Martorano poses with Miss USA Florida and Miss USA Pennsylvania

On Monday, May 21, Steve Martorano hosted all 51 of the 2012 Miss USA contestants along with the reigning Miss USA for dinner at his famous Italian restaurant at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The girls enjoyed a special three-course menu including Martorano’s famous homemade meatball and South Philly salad. Halfway through the dinner, Martorano stole the show himself by manning the DJ station and started a spontaneous dance party that took over the entire restaurant. After a few songs Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011, started a Conga line that weaved through the restaurant.

Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella at a table before dinner at Martorano’s with some of the 2012 Miss USA contestants

The 2012 Miss USA contestants break out with a dance party in the middle of dinner to Martorano’s DJ skills.

Professional boxer Victor Ortiz will host a meet-and-greet and autograph signing to launch his new skin care line for men, “VO,” at Rio Spa & Salon on Saturday, May 26. Rio Spa is the exclusive retailer of the anti-aging products which include a skin care kit and shave care kit. Guests who purchase either product from the VO line during the event will have an opportunity to get autographs and take photos with the famed athlete.  3 – 5 PM Penn & Teller lobby across fromRio Spa & Salon Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino

Boxer Victor Ortiz

Following the music awards last night, R&B artist Ray J and model Sophie Monk hosted a launch party for Prince Reigns at The Voo inside VooDoo Beach at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The duo was recently named the celebrity faces of the ingrown hair removal product which is exclusively sold at Rio Spa & Salon. Ray J’s sister Brandy, DJ Paul from Three 6 Mafia and the Rio’s own premiere male revue, Chippendales, were there to support the event.

The faces of Prince Reigns, R&B artist Ray J and model Sophie Monk, pose on the red carpet for the product launch party.

Singer Brandy stopped by the event to support her brother Ray J.

Three 6 Mafia member DJ Paul on the red carpet.

John Rivera, Jace Crispin and Chaun Thomas of the Chippendales supported the cause before their show at Rio.

Photo Credit for all photos: Scott Harrison/Harrison Photos

Not only was Hart lucky, he was generous too:

Hart gave each of his three fellow players a $500 chip and generously tipped his dealer $20,000.

From left to right: Casino Shift manager Bobby Harris, Dennis Hart, Heather Hart, Margaret Hart and Vice President of table games at Flamingo, Mark Kelly.

Hearing about “Rocket Man” being played in space, Elton sent the following special message to ESA, Kuipers and the crew of the ISS:

“When I was a boy, ‘Dan Dare’ was a comic book hero, and space travel just a romantic idea, not a reality. I was 14 years old when Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space; my song writing partner Bernie Taupin was just 11. Bernie and I did not meet until 1967, and two years after we met, Neil Armstrong became the first man to step onto the moon.

“Our generation was smitten with the glory and excitement of space travel. ‘Rocket Man’ – and indeed ‘Dan Dare’ on the Rock of the Westies album – came from those boyhood dreams of travelling beyond the stars and looking back on Earth.

“Not long after the ‘Rocket Man’ single was released, my band and I were invited to the NASA headquarters in Texas and shown around by Al Worden, Apollo 15 command module pilot. It was thrilling to find that real astronauts liked our song, ‘Rocket Man,’ which was about an imaginary astronaut.

“Now, 40 years later, it’s amazing to hear from the astronauts at the European Space Agency that they like the song and that it has been on the playlist on the International Space Station. I send my best wishes to ESA and all the crew, and my thanks for keeping those boyhood dreams alive.”

The staff of “Vegas What’s Up” participated in a WSOP Conference Call with Tournament Directors Jack Effel and Ty Stewart. Take-Aways.

• The WSOP and Caesars Poker Tournaments are now fully integrated with the casinos’s Total Rewards system.
• The 2012 WSOP will have the most number of poker tables ever at the Las Vegas event. 92 additional tables, approaching 470 Tournament Tables.
• The WSOP 2012 will encourage more table talk, players will not be admonished for loudly celebrating winning hands.
• Talking rules changed to allow looser verbal exchanges, as long as you don’t reveal your cards.
• In Nevada Men are technically allowed to play in “Ladies Only” events.
• Banners of “Shamed” past champions will still be displayed.

Sign: Gordon Ramsay Steak

Press Release:

Acclaimed chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay brings his flair for exciting cuisine to Paris Las Vegas in one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of 2012. Gordon Ramsay Steak is a high-energy restaurant which playfully transports guests from theParis resort to the London atmosphere via a unique Euro-tunnel-like entryway. Set in the heart of the Paris casino, the modern steakhouse will celebrate Chef Ramsay and the city of London while boasting a creative cocktail program in a lively bar and lounge area. Guests will enjoy mouth-watering steakhouse selections such as savory bone-in rib-eye and the classic Porterhouse. Signature Ramsay dishes ranging from the popular beef Wellington and fish and chips to numerous fresh seafood selections will be offered. The menu is dynamic, the space is one-of-a-kind and the experience is unforgettable.

Gordon Ramsay Steak Beef Wellington

Gordon Ramsay Steak Royal Longbone Ribeye Chop

Gordon Ramsay Steak Yellow Fin Tuna

Caesars Palace Press Release:

The 2012 World Series of Poker Warm-Up Series set to begin Friday, May 4. Thirty-three events, with more than $365,000 in guaranteed prize pools, will be played across 17 days, culminating in a final Wild Card Weekend tournament with at least one $25,300 seat to the Big One for One Drop Mega Satellite event guaranteed. For every additional $25,300 in the prize pool, one extra seat will be awarded to the satellite held at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on Saturday, June 30.

“It’s almost that time of the year again!” said Andy Rich director of poker operations at Caesars Palaceand Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.  “The WSOP Warm-Up Series hosted at Caesars Palace is the pre-season of the World Series of Poker. With at least $20,000 in guaranteed prize pool for each noon tournament, the stakes are high and it’s the perfect time for players to start tuning up their game for what will be another huge summer for poker.”

Toby Keith’s Bar and Grill Launches “Red Cup Solo” Ladies Night Every Thursday

Starting Thursday, May 3, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill will be hosting ladies night every Thursday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. All ladies are invited to party country style at one ofLas Vegas’ most popular and recognizable bars. For $10, ladies will receive a “Red Solo Cup,” made famous by Toby Keith’s hit song “Red Solo Cup.” With the purchase, ladies receive free refills on well drinks, Coors Light and Miller Lite draughts until 2 a.m. Live music begins at 9 p.m.

Teller, the mute half of the Penn and Teller Magician Duo, shares some of his secrets in the March 2012 edition of Smithsonian Magazine. If you ever wondered how Penn and Teller did their cockroach trick on David Letterman, Teller tells all, mostly.

Dancing with The Stars is now Live at The Tropicana

Shows will be eight times a week.

“Dancing with the Stars: Live in Las Vegas” Hotel Experience (Promo Code: RDWTS12)

“Dancing with the Stars: Live in Las Vegas” Hotel Experience – VIP Star Experience (Promo Code: RDWTSVP)