CET Invite Tournaments

I have received offers to play in these before but they have never coincided with a planned trip until now. I'll be out in Vegas starting January 30th and am able to play in the $150K poker tournament at the Flamingo. Anyone have much experience playing in these? Just wondering what to expect as far as number of players, blind structure, etc...I can't seem to find the mailer that explained everything.

Thanks!

 

I've played in one of these poker tournaments before. I think there were 3 separate flights. The ballroom is filled with tables and blinds are raised quickly.
I didn't last past the first table. I wouldn't do it again.


SEE HOW YOU STACK UP
Bet, raise and bluff for your chance at a share of $150,000. Re-buys will be sold for $100 on a first come, first serve basis and based on availability.


$150,000 PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Place • $30,000
2nd Place • $20,000
3rd Place • $15,000
4th Place • $10,000
5th Place • $8,000
6th Place • $6,000
7th Place • $4,000
8th Place • $3,000
9th Place • $2,500
10th Place • $1,500
11th - 30th Place • $750 each
31st - 100th Place • $500 each

All winnings will be paid out in Casino Play. Prizes not picked up by Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 6pm will be forfeited.

 

I have played also. My tourney was day 1 you had to be top 2 at your table to move to day 2. Dont recall how many entrants. I do remember it sucking as i made it to final three then busted out. Since its free it is worth a shot but you must be much more agressive

 

Do it if you're there anyway. Don't go just for the tournament. I went in November for one at Harrah's. Linq comped me three nights and I used points to fly there. But I'm not doing that again. You most likely won't be in the tournament very long, if it's the same set up as the one I did and I'm guessing it is. Remember, the casino doesn't want you to be upstairs in some ballroom all day instead of spending money on the floor.

This was my experience which seems similar to newmans and loonytoony:

Thought there was one tournament...start one day, play day two if you make it. Thought this because everything I read about the tournament from their emails, etc, said start time was 10am. I showed up at ten and was told I was in the 2pm flight. Learned later that there were four flights...10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm. But they didn't think the 4pm one would be completely full. I could have registered the day before which I assume would have given me an earlier time but by the time I arrived, registration was closed. So I guess if you want early, register the day before. If you want late, register that day. Again, IF it's like the one I did.

Got a copy of the structure sheet when I signed in. Wow. Wow. Ten minute levels, start with 1,500 chips and blinds 25/50. That's 30bbs. 30. And antes kick in on level TWO. If you do nothing in the first round, you'll have less than 15 bbs in level two. And it's a shootout tournament. You need to finish either first or second at your table to move onto tomorrow. Didn't know that either.

If you make it to Day Two, it doesn't get much better. Start with 15-minute levels, 5,000 chips and blinds at 100/200. That's 25bbs. 25. Second level, blinds double and there's a 100 chip ante. OK then. The Day Two is like a normal tournament though...tables will break, etc.

There were forty 10-handed tables in a conference room upstairs at Harrah's. So 400 people each flight if they all 'sold out'. I could rebuy for $100 but OMFG no way was I doing that with that structure.

After all that, the tournament itself was fun. Especially since I was the second one at my table and could watch the expression of the people as they sat down and looked over the structure. It's strictly bingo poker. I was out on the third level. Did not win a pot so I had like 5bbs. Shoved a weak ace, lost. But the dealer was very good (they were 'actual' poker dealers) and the people at my table were nice.

So, as I said. I'd do it if I was there anyway. I would not make a special Vegas trip to do it. And I hope after typing all that, that your tournament is the same or else I'll look like an idiot.

 

Wow. Very interesting. Seems like a simple fold or all in scenario and hope the cards are lucky that day. I just happen to be out there while this is going on so it will give me something to do for that Saturday. At least 10 minutes of it.

Appreciate all the input!

 

Thanks to the OP for asking. Was wondering the same thing. And thanks, Snickers99, for the detailed answer. I might just do it for sh*ts and giggles. It's free and shouldn't take too much time with that structure. Thanks again.

 

The last time I played in one of these, my table was half filled with people who were probably playing non-video poker for the first time in their life. Making it to day two was not a problem, but yeah, those blind structures are insane. If you don't catch a hand or two early, you'll be forced to play something you normally wouldn't. I think they use it more for dealer and pit boss training for the WSOP than anything else.

 

Played in one 2 years ago, and thought about going this year but have ended up deciding against making a specific trip for it.

I echo the statements made by the others - my tourney was set up the same way, and it wasn't too difficult to make it to Day 2 as I lucked out with a relatively easy table. I busted out quickly on Day 2 so can't quite recall if the structure on Day 2 was any better than the shootout on Day 1. Since you have already booked a trip I would definitely sign up since it probably won't take much of your time on the Saturday afternoon to play the shootout, and if you make it to day 2 there are some decent prizes.