Thunder Valley Tournaments
Tough to get accurate information sometimes. For example, I initially thought that it was the WSOB qualifier.
"Quarterly Invitational Blackjack Tournament". It takes at least a gold membership to qualify. That requires 7500 points or 24 hours of play at $25 average bet within the last 90 days. Keep in mind that all BJ tables are CSM BJ tables.
Total prize pool is $10000 with $3000 for first place and other pays through 20th. It is non-elimination format. Each player receives a gift and a $25 food voucher.
Each player plays two rounds. They start with 1000 in chips each round. The total of their two round scores determines their finished place. Bet limits are $25 to $1000. And blackjacks pay 2:1.
Initially, they were going to take 330 people. But, for some reason, they stopped at 312. I was there at around 10 minutes to 10:00AM and thought that I was going to be able to get in. I saw the assignment sheet and saw three tables were left unfilled.
As for the platinum membership needed to qualify for the chance to play the WSOB qualifier, it requires 75000 points or 60 hours of play at $100 average bet. I guess some of those PartyPoker blackjack players would need just a weekend to make it to platinum membership.