$25,000 Hard Rock Biloxi Blackjack Tournament – Fall Series

Buy-in: Friday 4:00-7:00 PM, $100.00; Saturday 9:00-12:00 Noon, $150.00

Unlimited Re-buys at $100 each–Re-Buy cut off -3:00 PM
First round of tournament play begins at 10:30 AM

Rules

100k Fall  Series Blackjack Tournament

Hard Rock Casino Biloxi will host a series of Blackjack tournaments in the months of September, October & November of 2024.  The specific dates of the tournaments are September 21st, October 19th & November 16th.

1. Each of these three separate tournaments will follow the same format, rule set, and will be run independently.

2. Prize pools for the respective three tournament dates will be as follows: – September & October dates final table prize pool structure: 1^st place – $15,000 USD; 2^nd place – $5,000 USD; 3^rd through 7^th place – $1,000 USD, totaling $25,000 USD; – November date final table prize pool structure:  1^st place – $20,000 USD; 2^nd place – $5,000 USD; 3^rd through 7^th place – $1,000 USD, totaling $30,000 USD.  Fees collected in excess of prize pool per tournament will be evenly distributed to each position paid.

3. Superstar Shootout Prize pools for the respective dates will be as follows: final table prize pool structure: 1st place – $5,000 USD; 2nd place – $2,000 Promo; 3rd place – $1,000 Promo; 4th place – $750 Promo; 5th place – $600 Promo; 6th place – $400 Promo; 7th place – $250 Promo; $5,000 USD & $5,000 Promo, totaling $10,000 prize pool. This part of the tournament will consist of 3 tables with 21 of our best players picked by Player Development. 2 people from each of the 3 tables will advance to the final table and before the final table begins 1 name will be drawn from the 21-participating guest. If the name drawn is someone that is already on the final table, we will continue drawing names until we have the final seat filled. Participants will have 3 minutes to arrive to the table before we draw another name.

4. Each of the three tournament events will consist of preliminary sessions, re-buy sessions, possible quarter final sessions (depending on participation) a semi-final session a one table wildcard session and one final session; the final table. Note if a quarter final session is required, we will determine how many players per quarterfinal table will advance to the semi-finals. Preliminary rounds will begin at 11:00am. . (NOTE:  If sufficient demand exists, Hard Rock Biloxi will maintain the option of scheduling initial preliminary rounds beginning at 10:30 AM. Registration for these “Early Bird Tables” will be on a strictly “First Come, First Serve” basis. The use of the “Early Bird Tables” will be determined by the Tournament Coordinator based on initial response and projected registration totals. The inclusion of these 10:30 tables will allow for a more efficient and timely rebuy process. Rebuy rounds will begin after the conclusion of preliminary round.)

5. Players will gain entry into the tournament via a $100.00 entrance fee if they pre-register or during the set registration time of the Friday prior to the Saturday tournament from 4pm to 7pm; Players will gain entry into the tournament via a $150.00 entrance fee if they register during the late registration time of 9am until the beginning of the last preliminary round the day of the tournament. Select players will be invited to the tournament with no associated entrance fee. Any player who does not progress through their preliminary session will be afforded the opportunity to purchase entry into the re-buy session. (Unlimited rebuys per entrant).  The associated fee for the re-buy session is $100.00 USD per entry.

6. Hard Rock Casino Biloxi guarantees a prize pool of $25,000 USD for the June and July event. Hard Rock Casino Biloxi guarantees a prize pool of $30,000 USD for the August event, regardless of player participation. Any collected fees in excess of the guaranteed prize pool will be returned to the prize pool for the respective week, thereby increasing the total amounts to be awarded.

7. A wildcard drawing will be made prior to the semi-final round from the pool of players who have participated in the re-buy sessions. Players or player drawn from the wild-card pool will be awarded a seat in the semi-final session.  Note:  If a player who has already advanced to the semi-final round is drawn during the wildcard drawing, said player’s ticket will be temporarily removed from the drawing drum and another draw will be conducted.  All removed player’s tickets will be re-inserted into the drawing drum after all semi-final wildcards have been drawn.  Tickets drawn from the wild-card drum will be announced across the floor and in the tournament area via loudspeaker.  Each ticket drawn will be valid for three minutes for a player to claim.  If no player makes claim to a drawn voucher within the allotted time period, a new ticket will be drawn from the wild-card drum.  Once a new ticket has been drawn, all previous tickets drawn will be void.

8. A wildcard drawing will take place after the semi-final round from the pool of players who have participated in the tournament. Seven (7) players in total will be drawn and will be seated at a Blackjack table where 10 hands will be played.  The player with the highest chip count at the end of 10 hands will be declared the winner of the wild-card playoff table and said player will progress to the final table.  Note:  If a player who has already advanced to the final table is drawn during the wildcard playoff drawing, said player’s ticket will be discarded and another draw will be conducted.  Tickets drawn from the wild-card drum will be announced across the floor and in the tournament area via loudspeaker.  Each ticket drawn will be valid for three minutes for a player to claim.  If no player makes claim to a drawn voucher within the allotted time period, a new ticket will be drawn from the wild-card drum.  Once a new ticket has been drawn, all previous tickets drawn will be void.

9. Prior to the Semi-Final session and the Final Table, a “Joker” playing card will be randomly inserted into each shoe being used to facilitate the session. The “Joker” will not be used in the completion of any hand and will have no hand value.  Any player who receives the “Joker” card in their hand will be awarded $100 in promotional chips.  The promotional chips will have no value in the tournament.  Note:  If the dealer receives the “Joker” card during the Semi-Final round, the promotional chips will be added to the value of the “Joker” card during the final table.  If, at the final table, the dealer receives the “Joker” card, the total value of the “Joker” card will be awarded to the winner of a playoff draw immediately after the current hand, the dealer will deliver a single card to each player, regardless if they have been eliminated or not, and the first player who receives the highest card, ace being the highest, will be awarded the total value of the “Joker” card. 

Tournament Play

• Players will start each session with $10,000.00 in non-value tournament chips.

• (12) Twelve hands will be dealt in each Session.

• Prior to the first hand on each round, the dealer will give each player one card from the shoe.  The first player to receive the highest card (Ace being highest), will have their position marked with the lamer signifying the “1^st Play rotates from left to right starting with the “1^st spot, which is represented by a numbered marker which will move in a left to right order after each hand played. Once the lamer has been moved to the last spot on the table, the dealer will move the lamer to the first position and continue moving from left to right after each hand.  This button will be numbered to represent the current hand being played (i.e. 1 – 12).

• All players must wager a minimum of $100 each hand. There is no maximum bet.

• Each player, in turn, will make a wager. Once a player’s wager is placed in the betting circle, it may not be changed until the hand is over. A player’s entire bet must be placed in the betting area at once, no “string betting” (placing one chip in the betting circle at a time) will be allowed. A player may place a wager before it is their turn, but the wager may not be changed after it is set.

• All wagers will be made in a timely manner, if there is too long of a delay in wagering the dealer will announce to the player that they have 15 seconds to place a wager. If the player does not comply, they will receive the minimum bet and play will continue.

• Any player not seated when the round starts will have the minimum wager removed from their chip stack and returned to the rack. After (3) three hands missed a player will be considered as forfeiting their spot and their bankroll will be collected into the rack. Players absent may request a player position in a later round pending availability.

• At the end of the 10^th hand all players chips will be counted, and their total announced so that all players at the table can hear and see each player’s total at that point.

• After the 12^th hand, all players still in play will have their chips counted by the dealer and their total announced. The player with the highest total will advance.

• If a player’s wager exceeds what is available to pay from the rack the Floor Supervisor will purchase the chips back from the player using a lammer(s) representing the amount of chips being exchanged.  The Floor Supervisor will place the lammer(s) in front of the player offering the exchange, and the dealer will run-down the chips and place them in the rack after the Floor Supervisor has verified the correct amount.  The lammer(s) in possession of the player must be separated from the player’s non-value gaming chips and must be in clear view at all times.  At no point will any lammer(s) be used to facilitate the payment of a wager.  All lammer(s) not in possession of a player will be retained by the Floor Supervisor.

• On the final table if multiple players are simultaneously eliminated from play during the same hand, said players will be considered tied and the prize pool for the eliminated positions will be divided equally among the tied players.

• Secret Bet – On the final hand (12th) in the Final Round, each participant will make a secret bet. The secret bet will be written on a secret bet card and placed face down in front of them. Once each secret bet is placed the tournament supervisor will sign the secret bet card attesting that the bet is legible and meets the table requirements (table minimum and any amount as long as the participant has enough chips to cover the bet) “All In” is acceptable. Once each participant’s secret bet has been verified, the secret bet cards will be revealed and chips equal to the secret bet amount will be placed in the betting area before the cards are dealt. If a player writes down a number that is more than the chips available to bet all chips will be placed in the betting circle.

• If multiple players have the same chip count and there is only one spot for advancement there will be a (3) three hand play off. If there is still a tie the players will cut one card from a single facedown deck and the highest card drawn will advance, ace being high.

• If a dealer fails to move the “1^st spot” marker or fails to change the hand marker and the error is discovered after cards are dealt, but before any hand has been acted upon, the hand will be declared a dead hand. No wagers will be collected or paid, and the hand marker will be advanced to the correct spot and/or changed to signify the correct hand number. A new round of wagers will begin, and the new hand will be dealt. There will not be a shuffle prior to continuing. Once the first player’s hand has been acted upon, the hand will be considered valid, and play will continue. After the completion of the hand, the marker will move to the next player position and the correct hand number will be represented.

• There will be no smoking, eating, or drinking at the table during tournament play.

• Players must keep their hands in plain sight at all times, while the tournament is progress. All chips must be stacked by denomination and be in full view of casino personnel and other players.   Chips must never be removed from the surface of the table doing so will be grounds for disqualification.

• Collusion among players or help from spectators is prohibited and will result in disqualification. The official language of the tournament is English.  No conversations in any other language are permitted during tournament play.  No communication, either verbal or visual will be permitted between player and spectator.  Violation of these rules will result in disqualification from the tournament.

• No written, mechanical, or electronic aids are allowed during tournament play.

• Case money wagers can be made for double downs below the table minimum; however, the initial bet must be at the table minimum. Players lacking sufficient non-value tournament chips to make a minimum bet will be considered finished for the session.

• It is the player’s responsibility to communicate his/her desired action with the dealer.

• Dealers may pay bets in any denomination they deem appropriate.

• No toke bets are allowed for the dealers with tournament chips during play.

• All protests must be handled at the table before players leave the table.

• A player is eliminated from play for violation of any of the tournament rules, cheating, or disorderly conduct.
• Players may voluntarily withdraw from the tournament.

• Any player disputes will be handled by the tournament supervisor and his/her decision will be final.

• Blackjack pays 2-1, insurance will not be offered.

• Dealer will hit on soft 17; all other Hard Rock Biloxi Blackjack rules will apply.

10. Vendors or immediate family of a vendor who provide promotional items for tournaments, promotions or drawings are prohibited from participation in that activity.

11. Hard Rock employees and their immediate family members are eligible for membership in the Hard Rock Biloxi’s Encore Players Club and are eligible to receive complimentary based on play but are not permitted to participate in drawings, promotions, tournaments, or giveaways without prior written notification to MGC.

12. Parties determined to be ineligible will forfeit any prize monies awarded; the forfeited funds will be split evenly among the remaining winners, excluding the grand prizewinner.

13. The Mississippi Gaming Commission reserves the right to investigate any and all complaints and disputes regarding tournaments, promotions, and drawings. Such disputes and complaints will be resolved in accordance with the Mississippi Gaming Control Act and the Mississippi Gaming Commission Regulations.

14. Disputes/complaints must be declared at the time of the incident.

15. Management reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament, promotion or drawing with prior notification to the Mississippi Gaming Commission, but must do so at least three (3) days prior to the commencement of the activity.

16. Session times are subject to adjustment.

17. Promotion rules will be available to guests for review.

18. You must be 21 to participate.

19. Must be a member of Hard Rock Players club.

The winners will grant permission to the Biloxi Hard Rock Casino Hotel for use of their name and image for use in all advertising.