http://www.beaupoker.com/wp-content/.../MDH-FLYER.pdf

Haven't seen individual structure sheets yet.

Notable changes:

Opening weekend tourney prize pool is increased to a $600k Guarantee ($500k in the past). I'm unsure of the motive (attract even more players?), but the Beau should easily surpass this number as it has been one of the largest live tournament fields in the south the last several years.

Midweek Little Monster with a $50k Gtd.

--Huge Change--

The Main Event buy-in has changed for the third time in three years ($2600, $3200, $2700). The prize pool is down from $500k Gtd. to $300k Gtd.

The schedule and structure of this event has also changed.

In the past, it's been:

15k starting stack with 70/80 blinds
Two day 1 flights, followed by 3 days of poker until a winner is crowned. We played down to the final 3 tables on day 2, final table on day 3, and winner on day 4.

This year:

20k starting stack with 50/70/80 blinds (not sure how that will be divided up)
Two day 1 flights remain, but this will only be followed by 1 scheduled day of poker to play down to the winner.
Also, the restart for day 2 is 10 am

As someone who has attended this tournament series for several years because of the staff, customer service, and structures, over going to Oklahoma for the WSOP Circuit, I am quite disappointed with the Main Event changes. Over the last several years, the primary complaints/suggestions were about the length of the ME being 4 days, and the tourney not reaching the money until day 3 (usually ~200 person field, top 18 paying, with day 3 returning 27 players to start). I am all for a compromise to reduce this tournament to a 3 day tournament, but I think reducing it to a 2 day tournament, for such a high buy-in, is too much, especially when coupled with the 10 am restart for a day 2.

My suggestion would be to play down to the money on day 2. This is more than doable; we've ended day 2 with 27 players remaining before 8-9 pm some years. We can definitely play til midnight if we have to. I would also keep the restart times to noon. If you need to start day 1 at 11 am to compromise this, I understand, as long as late registration is open for several levels. But a 10 am restart will personally hinder my play, and I can't imagine many players will be excited about this, especially those that play a long day 1B flight.

I'd love to hear everyone else's opinions, either on the Main Event or the entire series, as I'm sure the Beau will take feedback into consideration for future events as they always have. I'm not 100% sure if there is still a Beau Rivage rep active on 2+2 since Johnny Grooms took the job near D.C., but if there is one, I hope he or she can pop in and offer some words and participate in a discussion with the players.

I believe Day 1 levels are 50 minutes and Day 2 levels are 70 minutes with 80 minute final table levels. As far as the ME changes go, the folks down at the Beau tell me that the majority of their players have a day job and can afford to take one day off from work (Monday) but not two days..................the extra chips are a likely a compromise for the 50 minute Day 1 levels...........or it could be just a push toward larger starting stacks in general.........they ran a 25K starting stack tournament during their last series. I'm told Day 1's play will be a maximum of 12 hours, so 1p-1a according to their published schedule. The 10am restart is brutal, but not undoable...............as soft as the ME fields are at the Beau there is no way I would pass it up to go play against those circuit grinders in Choctaw..........IMO. I will try to bag on Day 1A and rest.

I know the management at the Beau takes customer feedback very well. I would call or drop in and speak to Henry about your concerns. I hope they get those structures up soon.

Can't comment on the ME changes but just wanted to say that I wish the Beau would do more events a year. In the last 5 years or so it has gone from 4 down to 2. I like the venue a lot but unless there's a decent festival there I'm not motivated enough to make the journey. The area as a whole needs more events because Tunica has dried up and there is a pretty decent market in the FL panhandle.

Thanks for your response. I did send Henry a message. I haven't heard back yet, but I imagine he's fairly busy overall.

What if the ME was pushed up by a day? Day 1A Friday, day 1B on Saturday. Sunday noon restart. Monday noon restart and play to a winner. Most other tourney series follow this structure, and it seems to be fine overall. I know the Beau is more in touch with the recreational player than a lot of other venues, which I think is outstanding. This seems like a fair compromise overall, and it allows a lot of the working folks to play a Saturday flight and take Monday off if necessary (after playing down to the money on Sunday, making it worthwhile to take Monday off).

My guess is opening weekend does not overlap with WSOPC Choctaw this time but you are right regardless, they usually crush the guarantee. Looking forward to being back up in the ballroom and off the casino floor.

If you don't enjoy tournaments then you should definitely come for the cash games. I can't say enough about how great their uncapped buyin structure is for all games. The PLO and Big O will be huge. Last tournament series 10-25 with 50 button straddle ran the entire time.

Good event hotel rates of $109 Saturday and $69 Sunday through Wednesday.
$109 turns into $132.78 with various fees and taxes but that is the norm. Looking forward to being there for 1D on Saturday 1/7 through the senior's on Tuesday 1/10.

Structure sheets posted

http://www.beaupoker.com/mgm-mississippi-series/

how long are Day 1s for Event 1 expected to run?

I have seen schedules(printed out a while ago) where 1D and 8B are listed for 6PM and more recently at 5PM(link from 2+2 post to Beau web page). Important to know the real, final time as this venue allows reentry for only the first hour or so was the case back when they were running against the WSOPC at Biloxi IP.

SORRY. Structure sheets show reentry until beginning of level 5 with exception of ME which is beginning of level 7.

I want to update this thread and say that I have had some correspondence with Henry (the current Beau TD), and it sounds like he's really working hard to make this event live up to the past Beau events. He's been open minded to player suggestions, both from recreational players and pros. I've since decided that I will most likely be attending both weekends, and I'm hopeful the field sizes will increase this year once again, continuing the trend of the Beau being a premium stop on the southern circuit.

Room booked and ready to continue the trend of spewing off a stack before dinner break.

what is the code for this?

Just called and asked if they had an event rate.

unfortunately already booked room at Hard rock for their opening event in Jan so won't be able to make the main, but, may fly up for weekend for the opening event. I miss the Beau.

Good luck to those kicking this one off at 7PM on Thursday. Will be there for second flight on Saturday through Wednesday.

Headed to Beau in the AM for plo cash. Should be a 10-25 plo running. See you guys there.

Safe travels for anyone headed to the potential snow ice in Mississippi or Alabama tomorrow.

Thought this series might be quiet but excited to see all 15 cash tables going at 5:30pm. Safe travels everyone and see ya tomorrow!