Millionaire Maker Blackjack Tournaments - Hollywood St Louis

This is an open event (player card required).

Tournaments are held on a Sunday. Register beginning at 
Noon on the Monday prior to each tournament through the 
Sunday of the tournament. Up until 12:00 Noon on the 
Sunday of the tournament, register at the Mardi Gras cage. 
After 12:00 Noon on the Sunday of the tournament, register 
at the Island cage. No phone registration. First come, 
first served.
I was told by a cage person that only about 30 to 40 
players register before the day of tournament. So there is 
no need to register real early but if the tournament is 
sold out, you may regret getting there too late.

This tournament is kind of goofy and they have a lot to 
learn, so pay attention:
Each tournament has 147 seats available.
Min. bet = $10, Max = #500 (Last 5 hands, max. = $1,000)

First round:
Session 1 at 4:00pm
Session 2 at 5:00pm
Session 3 at 6:00pm
Accumulation format. Up to 49 players each session.
The 7 highest from each session advance to semi-final.

Second round (semi-final):
7 wild cards drawn.
Elimination format - almost.
1 advance per table (4 tables, 7 players per table). After 
taking out the 4 that advance, the 3 top chip counts (from 
all the semi-final tables combined) also advance making 7 
players at the final table.
NOTE: Countdown with 5 hands to go BUT the amounts ARE NOT 
given for each individual table UNLESS you really push 
them for the amounts. Their attitude is that the chip 
leaders (for all 4 tables combined) are only announced. 
They said to me "why do you need the totals for each 
table?". Hey, this is elimination format!!!

Final round:
Elimination format - no tricks.

This tournament is not run very well so be carefull about 
the details, especially countdowns.
The kicker in this tournament is that there are 6 Jokers 
in the 6 deck shoe. If a player gets a Joker, it counts 
the same as an Ace. If the dealer gets a Joker, it only 
countys as a "1" (not an Ace, just a "1").
Insurance: When the dealer gets an Ace, insurance is 
offered to the players but NOT IN PLAYING ORDER. The 
insurance option is offered just like live BJ - if you 
want it, just put your money out.
BJ pays 2:1.
20 seconds to make betting and playing decisions and it is 
excessively enforced. Dealers think 5 seconds is 20 
seconds or they are on an ego trip.

ATTENDANCE HISTORY:
March 19 - about 70 players
April 2  - about 50 players
April 30 - about 50 to 60 players
May 7 - about 20 players - tournament cancelled (need 35)
May 21 - about 40 players

NOTE: If you are from out of town, play on staying for 
their Monday PAI GOW tournament. Although this tournament 
is a joke and just about 100% luck, the fact that the 
equity is great makes this tournament worth playing. Only 
$25 entry. $15,000 prize pool - guaranteed. Max of 90 
players. 20 players receive money - at least $100. Great 
equity! Note: Since mid May, the Pai Gow tournamnet has 
been filling up about 3 days before the tournament is 
held. Looks like word got around.

1st gets entry into the MILLIONAIRE MAKER finals at 
Caesars Las Vegas. Probably includes hotel. Possibly 
includes air fare.
Of the money received from entries, Harrah's keeps 5% for 
expenses, 95% returned in cash prize money.
The prize money is distributed as follows: 1st = 30%,
2nd = 25%, 3rd = 15%, 4th = 10%, 5th = 8%, 6th = 7%,
7th = 5%