Rigid qualifications didn't stop the limited seats available in the Annie Duke $100,000 Hold'em Freeroll Poker Tournament from filling up in record time.
Less than two weeks after the qualification period began, all 1,000 were claimed for the Oct. 25 tournament at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in California.
With Annie Duke as the master of ceremonies and a free shot at a piece of the $100,000 prize pool, plenty of people were willing to put in the time it took to meet the qualification.
To secure a spot in the tournament, players had to earn six dreamcatcher stamps on a tournament qualifying card. Stamps were earned by getting a full house or better or jacks full or better in Omaha at San Manuel.
According to a press release, poker players from all over Southern California headed to San Manuel to try to secure a spot in the tournament. Players ranged from semi-professionals to amateurs, and even a few people attempting to use beginners' luck.
Poker enthusiasts who didn't qualify in time to play in the tournament can still come ride the rails and see who wins, as well as still meet Annie Duke.
Along with her emcee duties, Duke will be appearing at the San Manuel the evening of the tournament and be available to the public from 7-10 p.m. in the Yhaviatam Room.
Duke began her rise to fame in the mid '90s when she moved to Las Vegas to play professional poker. Prior to that she'd been honing her skills in Montana.
Since then, she's established herself as one of the best poker players in the world, winning a World Series of poker bracelet in 2004 as well as cashing deep in other WSOP events over the years and on the World Poker Tour.
