Bellagio Kickoff Classic Celebrates Start of NFL Season with a $500,000 Guaranteed Event

The Bellagio is piggybacking on the opening whistle of professional football with its Kickoff Classic, an 12 event series that boils to a head with a $3,500 Main starting on Sept. 7, the first day of the 2023 NFL season. With three Day 1’s, the event should pass its $500,000 guarantee.

Bellagio poker room

The Kickoff Classic comes to the Bellagio’s poker room in September. (Image: The Bellagio)

Also, a minimum of 15 seats to the Main will be won in three $400 satellites that take place Sept. 5 and 6. But the whole shebang kicks-off Aug. 31, with an $800 Pot-Limit Omaha Mystery Bounty event with a $50,000 prize-pool guarantee.

A Senior’s event takes place Sept, 3. Check out the schedule:

DateEventStart TimeGuarantee
Aug. 31Event 1: $800 Pot-Limit Omaha Mystery Bounty12 p.m.$50,000
Sept. 1Event 2: $600 No-Limit Hold’em12 p.m.$30,000
Sept. 2Event 3: $600 No-Limit Hold’em12 p.m.$30,000
Sept. 3Event 4: $600 Seniors No-Limit Hold’em10 a.m.$30,000
Sept. 3Event 5: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo5 p.m.$20,000
Sept. 4Event 6: $600 No-Limit Hold’em12 p.m.$30,000
Sept. 5Event 7: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Mystery Bounty12 p.m.$50,000
Sept. 5Event 8: $400 Bellagio Classic Satellite5 p.m.Five Main seats
Sept. 6Event 9: $400 Bellagio Classic Satellite12 p.m.Five Main seats
Sept. 6Event 10: $400 Bellagio Classic Satellite5 p.m.Five Main seats
Sept. 7Event 11: $3,500 Bellagio Classic Main Day 1A12 p.m.$500,000
Sept. 8Event 11: $3,500 Bellagio Classic Main Day 1B12 p.m.$500,000
Sept. 9Event 11: $3,500 Bellagio Classic Main Day 212 p.m.$500,000
Sept. 10Event 12: $600 No-Limit Hold’em12 p.m.$25,000
Sept. 10Event 11:$3,500 Bellagio Classic Final Table2 p.m.$500,000

Bellagio rooms receiving $110 million upgrade

Players heading to this event will be able to stay in one of the newly remodeled rooms of the hotel’s Spa Tower, which is currently wrapping-up a $110 million remodel. It’s the final piece of remodel that recently refreshed more than 2,500 guest rooms in the main tower.

The Spa Tower redesign will impact 819 guest rooms and 104 suites and is scheduled to be completed in October. The first collection of rooms were finished in July.

Here’s how the public relations firm (or AI chat bot) hired by the Bellagio described the remodel:

Striking suite corridors with dramatic midnight blue doors and glowing handmade Italian light fixtures will set the tone for the arrival experience. Within the Spa Tower’s plush suites, neutral-colored wall coverings will create a chic backdrop for custom furnishings and accent pieces in colors inspired by Northern Italy, varying by suite type:

  • The color of garnet, similar to pomegranate found in Mediterranean vegetation and commonly seen on the exterior of the region’s houses;
  • Azure and indigo, inspired by the sky, mountains and the lake;
  • Solferino, a brilliant deep pink color discovered in Northern Italy in 1859 and the name of a town from the lake region, and pale rose beige similar to buildings lining the town streets;
  • Wisteria, for the stunning flowers and Cypress trees lining the lake and villas creating lush gardens and shimmering hues;
  • Lapis, dusty rose, peacock blue and jade for the area’s exotic flora and fauna, crystal sea and lush vegetation.

The designers, New York City-based Champalimaud Design, took their inspiration from “the natural vibrancy of Lake Como and the Alps. If they say so.

But there’s more:

“Well-appointed bedrooms will feature tufted cream-colored curved headboards, soft uplighting, custom TV armoires in a sycamore wood grain and floral touches in an homage to Italian fashion. Curvilinear sofas, benches and chairs will bring a whimsical yet comfortable elegance to spacious living areas. Within the suites’ luxe bathrooms, guests will find custom vanities thoughtfully integrated with lighted mirrors and upscale white marble surfaces, as well as motion-sensor lights for convenience and comfort.”

Hey, sounds fancy. A remodeled Spa King room with a view of the Strip starts at $289 a night (at least today).


Corrections, tips, complaints or kudos? CardsChatBob@gmail.com.

Written by
Bob Pajich
Bob Pajich is a poker news reporter, creative writer, and poker player who never met suited connectors he didn't like. Tips, corrections, complaints and kudos should go to CardsChatBob@gmail.com.

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