The World Poker Tour® Returns to Los Angeles for the Legends of Poker

BELL GARDENS, Calif., Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bicycle Casino proudly welcomes the return of Mike Sexton, Vince Van Patten, Kimberly Lansing, Tony Dunst and the Royal Flush Girls to prestigious Legends of Poker championship commencing on Thursday, August 29, 2013.

Since its debut in 2002, the World Poker Tour® Legends of Poker has been one of poker's premier events, consistently drawing huge fields filled with some of the game's best-known players, including past event winners Doyle Brunson, Dan Harrington, Andy Frankenberger, Will Failla, and defending champion Josh Hale. This year, the Bicycle Casino is proud to be host to the first two televised events of WPT Season XII.

The Legends main event is the eagerly anticipated $3,700 No Limit Hold'em World Poker Tour® Championship, starting on Thursday, August 29th. You can expect the pros, (and those that want to be), to battle it out in poker hand combat, for their chance to claim a seat at the final table, and win literally, millions. This year's WPT® Championship prize pool is estimated at a whopping $3 million. For those who want to play it a little safer, Mega Satellites are offered leading up to the main event, giving players a chance to win their $3,700 Championship seat with a $400 buy-in. Poker fans can watch the WPT® action live in provided spectator seating as the final table is filmed on Wednesday, September 4th. The event will be broadcast on Fox Sports Net. This landmark tournament draws poker enthusiasts from around the world for the opportunity to put their skills "on the table" and compete against the "best of the best."

This year's Legends experience will not conclude with the crowning of the WPT Champion, the WPT's cameras will roll again the WPT Foundation Ladies' Night Invitational on Thursday, September 5th. The televised WPT Foundation Ladies' Night Invitational final table will showcase five familiar female faces: Vanessa Rousso and Lily Killetto, poker sensation and philanthropist Liz Lieu, emerging poker talent Jessica Dawley, and WPT's own Kimberly Lansing. The last seat at the six-handed, televised final table will be awarded to the winner of the LIPS US Ladies Poker Championship, a $250 + $40 No Limit Hold'em qualifier tournament to be held on Sunday, September 1st, in connection with the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS), where entrants can play alongside WPT Royal Flush Girls Brittany Bell and Danielle Ruiz, who will each have special bounties for the players who eliminate them. Ladies who wish to participate in the US Ladies Poker Championship are advised to pre-register at lipstour.com/uslpcrsvp. The winner of this special invitation-only, televised event will be awarded a $25,000 entry to the 2014 WPT World Championship. In addition, the WPT Foundation will, on each player's behalf, award a portion of $20,000 in guaranteed donations to six, prestigious women's charities.

In the spirit of giving back to the community, Legends has long had a tradition of being host the most popular charity poker tournament in Los Angeles. The Bicycle Casino is proud to have the Mariani/Buss Charity Poker Tournament back in the Legends line-up and, on Sunday, August 25^th, celebrities, athletes and poker enthusiasts alike, will converge in the Event Center for the $300 + $65 No Limit Hold'em Re‑Buy charitable tournament event, which boasts a $20,000 guarantee. As a special tribute to the late Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, professional player David Chiu is donating his World Series of Poker bracelet during the event to commemorate the love Dr. Buss had for the game. Players will have the chance to meet David and get up close and personal with the bracelet while taking pictures. The charity tournament benefits the Lakers Youth Foundation and is a favorite with pros and celebs alike. After the event, the bracelet will remain permanently on display at the Bicycle Casino for all poker players to enjoy for years to come.

Last, but not least, the final open event on the Legends schedule is a $1,000 +$100 buy-in Open Face Chinese Poker tournament, the first of its kind to be in a shootout format. Open Face Chinese Poker has quickly become one of the hottest games to sweep the poker world. There have only been a handful of live OFC Poker tournaments, worldwide, and the Bike expects enthusiasts of the game to travel from far and wide to prove they know the correct strategy to beat the best of the best.

For details on tournament events, call the Welcome Center at (562) 806-4646 ext. 545, or check out the website at www.thebike.com.

SOURCE The Bicycle Casino