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Mark's May Tournament Preview
By Mark Napolitano

May sees a total of 17 major tournaments for you to choose from. The World Series of Poker continues into May, with 20 tournaments being held and buy-ins ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Elsewhere, there are plenty of smaller buy-in events for those of you unable to get to Las Vegas, including the Mini Series of Poker at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles, which also extends into May.

April 15 to May 23 2003	World Series of Poker 2003 - 34th	Binions Horseshoe Casino Las Vegas, NV United States 702-382-1600
Notes: 20 tournaments left to be played in May, buy-ins ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. With the main 5 day event commencing on the 19th May, where the winner can take home a cool $2 Million.
April 15 to May 20, 2003	Mini Series of Poker	Bicycle Casino Bell Gardens (Los Angeles), CA United States 562-806-4646
Notes: Here you will find a wide range of games to choose from, with a wide range of buy-ins. You will find buy-ins of $15+$15, $50+10, $75+$15, $100+$20, $125+$20, $150+$25, $250+$30 and $500+$40.
May 1 to May 6, 2003	Dundee May Poker Festival	Gala Casino Dundee, Scotland (44) 1382-201-888
Notes: The only major action in the UK in May, running from May 1st to 6th. 3 x £100 events, 1 x £200 events, 1 x £500, then a small £50 event to finish off.
May 2 to May 4, 2003	Tournament Value	Lake Elsinore Resort Lake Elsinore, CA United States 909-674-5160
Notes: Total prize guaranteed for Back Nine tournaments = $27,500.
May 4 to May 4, 2003	Fun in the Sun	Ocean's Eleven Casino Oceanside, CA United States 760-439-6988
Notes: Limit Hold'em, pay as you play. A $20 Buy-in is collected from each player remaining in the tournament at each limit change ($180 max)
May 6 to May 8, 2003	$5,000 Free Roll	Flamingo Hilton Laughlin Laughlin, NV United States 702-298-5055
Notes: Registration limited to Qualifiers only. One 7 Card Stud event and one No Limit Hold'em event.
May 13 to May 18, 2003	Fortuna Cup Third Estonian Poker Championship	Astoria-Palace Club & Casino Tallinn, Estonia +372-641-8204
Notes: Events are 2 x €50+€5, 2 x €70+€7, 1 x €150+€10 and 1 x €500+€10
May 15 to May 18, 2003	Triple Crown of Poker	Canterbury Park Card Club Shakopee, MN United States (952) 445-7223
Notes: 1 x $300+$30 Omaha Hi-Lo, 1 x $300+$30 7-Card Stud and 1 x $300+$30 Limit Hold'em. Top 32 Point Holders qualify for the bonus event on the 18th; a $100+$20 No Limit Hold'em event.
May 16 to May 20, 2003	Oasis Open Poker Tournament	Bay 101 The Oasis Resort Casino Golf Spa Mesquite, NV United States 1-800-620-0187
Notes: Jan Fisher (Tournament Director) for 3rd Oasis Open located just an hour's drive north of Las Vegas. The Oasis Resort offers a $15 room rate to tournament players, and if you play in at least five tournaments, your five-night stay is FREE. The Oasis offers a complete spa, as well as golf packages. Poker Room is Non Smoking for entire event. Seven events, with buy-ins of $60 and $120.
May 20 to June 5, 2003	America's Poker Classic	Bicycle Casino Bell Gardens (Los Angeles), CA United States 562-806-4646
Notes: Check back for schedule soon.
May 20 to May 22, 2003	"The Seniors" 2nd Chance Tournament	Orleans Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, NV United States 702-365-7150
Notes: Open to players 21 years and over. Satellites on May 20th & 21st. Main event starts May 22nd and will be a 2 day No Limit Hold'em Tournament.
May 21 to June 1, 2003	Sport of Kings	Hollywood Park Casino Inglewood (Los Angeles), CA United States 310-330-2800
Notes: Best All Around Player. $10,000 awarded to the top five point earners. 1st $4,000, 2nd $2,500, 3rd $1,500, 4th $1,000 and 5th $1,000. Contact Robert Thompson at 800-888-4972 ext. 2077 for more tournament information. A good choice of games, with buy-ins at $100+$20, $200+25 and $300+$30.
May 24 to May 24, 2003	12th Annual "Ben Shomin" Memorial Day Tournament	Chip Inn Island Resort Casino Harris, MI United States 906-466-2941
Notes: $1,000 added, with re-buys and an add-on permitted. Event will be $100 buy-in No Limit Hold'em.
May 26 to June 1, 2003	Torneo di Poker	Hit Casino Nova Gorica, Slovenia [386] 5-336-2341
Notes: Seven tournaments, with buy-ins ranging from €100+€20 to the main €1,000+€100 event.
May 26 to May 26, 2003	2003 Memorial Day Event (schedule coming soon)	Ocean's Eleven Casino Oceanside, CA United States 760-439-6988
Notes: Full schedule will be on www.pokerpages.com shortly.
May 29 to June 8, 2003	Pot Of Gold	Reno Hilton Reno, NV United States 775-789-2313
Notes: Always popular, with 22 events. Twenty events with a buy-in of $120, one of $230 and one of $330.
May 31 to May 31, 2003	No Limit Hold'Em Tournament	Casino Arizona at Salt River Scottsdale, AZ United States 480-850-7923
Notes: A one day $100+$20 No Limit Hold'em Tournament

Mark's Pick of the Month As mentioned in my previous April pick, the World Series of Poker is my pick for May. I've predicted Allen Cunningham to win the big one this year. In my opinion Allen is the calmest all round poker player I have ever played against. Post at the PokerPages forum who you think will become the World Series of Poker Champion for 2003, and you can win a year's membership to PokerSchoolOnline.com and a $40 real money account at BugsysClub.com. Remember to be logged into the forum otherwise we will not be able to identify you to award the prize. If you have not registered at the forum, please do so before you post your prediction. The Mini Series of Poker at the Bicycle Casino, in Los Angeles continues until May 20th, and is very popular with those unable to make the trip to Las Vegas. America's Poker Classic (schedule up on www.pokerpages.com shortly), also at the Bicycle, should prove to be very popular and well attended, as should Hollywood Park's Sport of Kings. And finally, the Reno Hilton's Pot of Gold , Gets under way on May 29th and will go down very well with locals and visitors alike. Good luck in playing your tournaments in May. Mark mark@pokerpages.com