There are many reasons a poker player desend upon Las Vegas in the summer. Of course his or her first choice probably isn't the 110+ temperatures outside.

It could be the biggest poker tourney in the world starting up over at the Rio starting up on June 1st 2007. The World Series of Poker and its many events give all poker players who can afford the buy-ins get to tangle with the best of the best in the poker arena for millions and the much sought-after World Series of Poker bracelets.

But, for a select few internet poker scribes we will be hitting up The Orleans for a weekend full of friends, and hijinks that have become a bi-annual trip to Las Vegas to mingle with those who write about poker over the internet. Some have become professionals drawing their regular paychecks to pay for the milk and eggs while banging out chip counts at far away locals such as Monte Carlo.

If you're a poker blogger and would like to learn more about the World Poker Blogger Tour's Summer Classic (WPBT) read below for the dates, times, and happy hours:

The dates are locked in, the room block is made, all that awaits is you, baby!

When - June 6 - 11

Where - The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Who - Poker Bloggers, significant others, insignificant others and random degenerates

Why - Because it's been months since we've all ambushed the hapless tourists at a poker table and drank ourselves into insensibility

How - however you can get there, planes, trains and automobiles!

Anyway, all that bs aside, the Orleans has a block of rooms for us held until May 6th. There are 50 rooms as part of the block and the rates are as follows.

Wednesday - $60
Thursday - $60
Friday - $110
Saturday - $110
Sunday - $65

There is the typical $5 resort fee on top of this, plus taxes and probably a disclaimer fee that the hotel it not responsible to any damage you may do to yourself or your liver if you try to go shot-for-shot with Al (that last bit's a joke, they won't charge extra for drunkenness).

It will be a couple of days before they are ready to accept reservations as part of the block, but should be good to go by Friday.
Annette in group sales was my rep and she was very helpful. I'll be playing a bit of the cruise director as we go along and plan a few informal get-togethers for later in the weekend, and of course, there will be mixed games at the MGM on Friday night.

See you this summer!

Falstaff