text size

More Poker Tables Being Added to the Casino

Updated: Wednesday, February 27 2013, 07:22 PM EST
COLUMBUS -- Hollywood Casino is expanding the number of poker tables by 20 percent--from 30 to 36.

Casino general manager Ameet Patel said "One sure bet is Columbus is a poker town." Patel said he has had a demand for poker since day one of the opening so they are answering the call for more seats.

They also added a cashier's cage to the poker room.

As part of the promotion, the casino invited poker legend Chris Moneymaker to play poker in the new room and talk with reporters.
Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker, earning $2.5 million.

Moneymaker was not a professional poker player, but won his way into WSOP through pokerstars.com and went on to defeat the world's leading poker professionals on his way to the title.

Fans said he is credited with the boom of poker since it showed an amateur "every day guy" could win. 

Moneymaker told ABC 6/FOX 28 that poker has changed a lot since 2003 and now includes younger players and more women. Moneymaker praised the Columbus casino as one of the best he has played in. "It has a good vibe, well lit, out in the open and inviting."

Patel said they are seeing poker players come to Columbus from all over Ohio, but especially a 100 mile radius of the facility.

Patel said when they expand in phase two of the casino, they will likely include more table games. He also said a hotel will be in the works, "it's not a matter of if, but when we will construct a hotel on property."

-------------

Reporter: LuAnn Stoia
Web Producer: Kellie HannaMore Poker Tables Being Added to the Casino