Bicycle Casino Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Opening of Luxurious New Event Center

The spectacular new Bicycle Casino Event Center was the joint-vision of both Managing Partner, Haig Kelegian and CEO, Hashem Minaiy, two industry visionaries whose desire to provide Los Angeles-area card players with the ultimate gaming experience has culminated in this exquisite showplace. The Bike is also unveiling their newest restaurant, the Legends Deli & Grill, where guests will have a choice of a quick meal on the run or a more relaxing opportunity to dine.

Festivities begin at 3PM with the "Celebrity-Media Invitational Poker Tournament," when Hollywood celebrities, sports stars, and Los Angeles-area media personalities and staff will play No-Limit Hold'em for $5,000 ... with the cash prize to be divided between the winner and their favorite charity.

As of July 23rd, celebrities already confirmed to play in the inaugural tournament include Eric Dickerson, Camryn Manheim, Cheryl Hines, Phillip Palmer, Ken Davitian, Budd Friedman, Willie Garson, Kelli Gates, Annie Duke, Joseph Reitman, Tony Denison, Mike Lansford, Steve Mittleman, Sara Rue, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Van Nguyen, Amir Vahedi, Karri Turner, Damion Marzett, Keishon Johnson, and Dwight Stones, comedians Michael Collier and Norby Walters.

The red carpet Cocktail Party and Grand Opening Ceremonies are scheduled for 4-6PM with 6:30PM ribbon cutting and a $100,000 Guaranteed prize pool tournament ($335 total entry fee), beginning at 7PM.

"We've had an amazing poker facility here for a long time," said Bicycle Casino Director of Marketing, Kelley O'Hara, "but with this newly-expanded and luxurious Event Center, we now step to the head of the class for not only Southern California, but the country. This grand Event Center will be the future home of our Legends of Poker tournament, our WPT (World Poker Tour) televised events, and numerous other first-class, large-scale poker tournaments and special events held here throughout the year."

The Bicycle Casino's prestigious month-long signature event, Legends of Poker, runs from July 28th - August 30th and officially inaugurates the new Event Center. Under the new and expert guidance of Poker Operations management, Zaven Esmaili and Eveliene Dullaart, this renowned event has become famous around the globe in just a few short years. With individual guaranteed cash prize pools of up to $300,000, and the culminating, multi-million dollar WPT Championship finale, the Legends of Poker series has firmly entrenched The Bicycle Casino as the home of top-notch, world-class poker action.

Other events coming up on The Bike's Legends of Poker summer schedule for this new facility include:

The LIPS TOUR Poker Tournament on August 2nd ($340.00 total entry), deemed one of the ladies' favorites. (Sign up at www.lipstour.com).

On August 20th, the annual Laker-famed Mariani/Buss No Limit Hold'em Charity Poker Tournament supporting the Laker Youth Foundation takes place at 7PM.

WORLD POKER TOUR NO LIMIT HOLD'EM CHAMPIONSHIP --- First day begins Saturday, August 22nd at 3PM. The best of the best will be at The Bike, battling it out for their chance to play elbow to elbow with this year's top 6 at the WPT Final Table, airing on Fox Sports Net. Watch the action live as the final table filming is on Wednesday, August 26th at 4PM.

And finally, Bicycle Casino players can enter to "Win a seat into the Sports Legends Challenge" event being held at the spectacular Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas from Sept 14th - 17th, 2009. Local players will have a special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete for a $10,000 seat and spending money, and culminates with winners taking a trip to this colossal, star-studded poker event to compete with and against personalities such as Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Annie Duke, Joe Namath, Reggie Jackson, Phil Hellmuth, Troy Aikman, Richard Petty, Sugar Ray Leonard, Jamie Gold, Lafette Pincay, Antonio Esfandiari, Johnny Chan, and so many more. Attendees will compete for four days of non-stop action for up to $5,000,000 in cash prizes in poker, golf, blackjack and slot tournaments. The Bike is the exclusive west coast qualifier, and has created 2 opportunities for their winners to play with the stars:

* 1st way: Legends of Poker 2nd Chance Tournaments - Play in one or several 2nd chance events, and if you're in the money, you'll come back to play in the Sports Legends Challenge Championship for the $10,000 seat on Sept 4th, 2009.



* 2nd way: Enter the Sports Legends Challenge Free Roll - just text in the code "BIKE" to 53203" and you'll be directed to the sign up page on the Bike's cool new website. Fill in all the info and you're in. (May be limited to the first 600 registered).



For further information on Bicycle Casino events, go to www.thebike.com or call the Welcome Center at (562) 806-4646 ext 545.

SOURCE The Bicycle Casino