Hunt for next poker champ begins at the Rio

While it may seem as though the latest World Series of Poker champion was crowned only yesterday, the time has already come to look for the next champ. The 44th World Series of Poker begins this week at the Rio in Las Vegas, where 62 "bracelet events" will be contested this year. The main event begins July 6 and runs through July 15, when the "November Nine" final-table players will be decided.

The $1 million buy-in "Big One for One Drop" tournament won’t be held this year, replaced by the "One Drop High Rollers" event, with a "scaled down" buy-in of $111,111, on June 26. There will also be a "Little One for One Drop" on July 4, with a $1,111 buy-in. Viewing of all tournaments is open to the public.

» U.K. style: William Hill will operate the race and sports book at the new Downtown Grand (formerly Lady Luck). The book will have a dedicated entrance and be designed to look like a U.K. betting shop. The Downtown Grand is scheduled to open in September.

» Downtown Louie: Comedian Louie Anderson is moving his act to downtown’s Plaza. He’ll begin what’s being called an "open-ended run" on July 10, with tickets starting at $59.95.

» The Dirty: A new, free, late-night, R-rated comedy show has just opened at South Point. Presented by Ralphie May and Gabe Lopez, "The Dirty" presents different guest comics weekly, performing at 12:30 a.m. every Saturday. Did you get that? It’s free.

» Drai’s returns: The after-hours nightclub Drai’s has reopened in its temporary home at Bally’s. It will move to Vandervoort Las Vegas when the resort opens in 2014.

Question: Did the downtown Gold Spike reopen?

Answer: Only as a restaurant. The casino’s former restaurant, The Grill, is operating, and another, called

Uncle Joe’s Pizza, is also expected to reopen in the space. The hotel and casino remain closed.

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