For those with fond memories of ye olde online poker days of Step Tournaments (made popular by PokerStars and Full Tilt), the first land-based casino we know of in Las Vegas is now offering its own version.
Tropicana Las Vegas is trying out Step poker tournaments, where for a small amount of money, you can keep advancing as you win, ultimately ending at a $10,000 prize (which is conveniently the cost of a World Series of Poker Main Event seat). Along the way, if you don’t win but place, you’ll receive a tournament ticket to a lower Step.
For February, the next Step series begins with Step 1 on Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. with Step 2 at 7 p.m. Step 3 is Feb. 25 at 5 p.m., and Step 4 is Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.
Step 5 will be announced later, but we assume it’ll still be within that weekend to allow for tourist schedules.
You don’t need to win in order to advance; if you choose, you can buy-in directly:
Step 1 (10-min. levels, T1000 to start): $5 (no rake) + $2 (2 players advance to Step 2)
Step 2 (15-min. levels, T2500 to start): $25 + $5 (2 players advance to Step 3)
Step 3 (15-min. levels, T5000 to start): $75 + $5 (2 players advance to Step 4, 2 players repeat Step 3)
Step 4 (20-min. levels, T9000 to start): $250 + $5 (1 player advances to Step 5 or takes $1250, 3 players repeat Step 4, 4 players repeat Step 3)
Step 5 (20-min. levels, T15,000 to start): $1250 + $5 (1 player wins $10,000, 8 players repeat Step 4, 1 player repeats Step 3)
The extra $5 is for the dealer bonus, which is money that goes to the dealers and in exchange you’ll receive extra chips (which are reflected in the above starting chips).
Throughout the week, Step tickets will also be awarded during Trop’s nightly 7 p.m. tournaments.
For more information, visit the Tropicana poker room or click here.