New. More.
Those words can aptly describe the 2018 Fall Poker Classic (FPC), which fires up Oct. 5 at Canterbury Park.
Organizers of the Midwest’s premier tournament series have crafted several changes for this year’s events. Many of the updates are a result of feedback from poker players, said Caris Norberg, Tournament Director at Canterbury Park.
“This year in particular, a lot of things have changed. Big blind ante. Additional non-hold’em events,” she said. “We take all the input from players and see what we can add to make the Fall Poker Classic better than it’s ever been.”
2018 Fall Poker Classic Schedule
What’s New
A popular Twitter thread from last spring on the Canterbury Casino account gave organizers a lot of suggestions, Norberg said.
“Encompassing all the feedback received from prior events along with these suggestions for new events we spiced up the game options,” she said. “This year we really tried to give players the variety they’re looking for.”
Some of the additions in store for the 2018 Fall Poker Classic include:
• Big Blind Ante format for several events
• Crazy Pineapple tournament
• Bigger buy-in ($600) Tag-Team event
• Pot-Limit Omaha Hi
• Monster Stack
• Limit Big Mix
It’s that last item that Canterbury Park poker officials have received the most questions about.
The Limit Big Mix will be a six-handed event that is “an offshoot of our big cash game,” Norberg said, and features nine rotating games: Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi-Lo, Big-O Hi, Big-O Hi-Lo, Razz, Deuce to Seven Triple Draw, Stud and Stud 8 or Better.
“It really flexes your brain,” she said of the Limit Big Mix format. “You’re constantly having to adjust your strategy.”
By the Numbers
Norberg said she has high expectations for the 2018 FPC.
6,000 – Projected number of overall entries, which would be up from 2017.
$1.5 million – Estimated total prize pool.
39 – Total poker tournaments, a record.
22 – Trophy tournaments, also a record.
15 – Different kinds of event structures.
“It really runs the gamut of the types of games you can play,” Norberg said. “Every day there is literally something new and unique.”
On the Felt
The 2018 Fall Poker Classic runs from Oct. 5-21 and kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 with the $250 Tag-Team NLH event.
Going with the Tag-Team tourney — in which teams of two players trade off playing at each blind level — to begin the FPC should get things started off right.
“It’s a fun atmosphere. Everyone can come out and play with their friends or family,” Norberg said. “It’s just a huge ball of fun.”
Also, all FPC events this year will be played in the spacious track area on the first level of Canterbury Park, which will give friends of tournament players a chance to say hello while they play in cash games.
Players have been coming out for the Fall Poker Classic since its inception in 2001, Norberg said.
“It’s great to see so many players come back year after year. Many players who may not ordinarily get to play in our daily tournaments really look forward to this time of year. Folks adjust their work schedules and come play multiple events,” she said. “We really appreciate all the support the FPC has received over the years and we hope to make 2018 better than ever.”
