TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

Have you always wondered why the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom had the word "casino" in its name? Well, it should make perfect sense when the venerable venue hosts the first Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce Texas HoldEm Poker Tournament on Friday, May 6.

For years the Casino Ballroom has been mistaken for a gambling casino, and now it will finally play host to an evening of poker with proceeds going to support the HACC. Spectators are encouraged to come and watch, the bars will be open and the chamber will be holding some raffles.

Doors for the Texas HoldEm Tournament open at 5 p.m., and the gaming starts at 6 p.m. sharp.

There will be 14 cash prizes, with a first prize of $5,000 (based on 210 players). The fee is $100 in advance, or $125 at the door. Tickets are on sale now.

Registration is not available at the Casino Ballroom, to register call 926-8718 or register on line at www.hamptonchamber.com.

The registration fee entitles participants to entrance into the tournament with $3,000 in chips. Play runs 30 minutes with 10-minute breaks.

There is a $50 one time buy-in for an additional $1,500 in chips up to the beginning of the fourth round. There is a $50 buy-in for an additional $1,500 in chips when a player is below $500 during the first three rounds.

No limit betting. Blinds adjusted after each round. No refunds. The organization reserves the right to pay higher or lower based on estimated revenue.

Another new announcement from Casino-land includes S&L Boxing’s seventh annua* ESPN2 Friday Night at the Fights" event on Friday, July 8.

For the past seven years Boxing on the Beach has been an anticipated national event. HBO, Showtime and ESPN2’s Mark Beiro, the voice of "Friday Night Fights," has been quoted as saying, "of all my travels the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom is my favorite place to see a fight. The crowd is amazing, they have a undeniable amount of boxing knowledge and it’s a throwback to the beach-like atmosphere that played host to many of the original fight nights."

Shows going on sale today include: Social Distortion, Friday, May 20; Rick Springfield, Sunday, May 29; and ESPN2 and Friday Night Fights on Friday, July 8. Tickets can be purchased for all shows by visiting the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom box office at 169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton, over the phone at 929-4100, or online at www.ticketmaster.com