Category — Gaming

When I grow up, I’m going to be a fame whore. Seriously, $600,000 to host a party?
If you’re bringing in 2012 in high fashion, here’s a list of some of the action.
Las Vegas Sun

It’s a Heat-Thunder NBA final waiting to happen. Can’t argue with that.
Fox Sports

John Legend is will kick off the New Year’s celebration at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31 at the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Tickets: $99 to $254. Info: 702.944.3200 or Palms.com.

Pius Heinz of Cologne became the 1st German to capture the prestigious World Series of Poker title in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Heinz’s 1st-place finish earned him more than $8.7 million.
The 22-year-old beat a field of 6,865 players from 85 different countries in ages ranging from 21 to 91. When play began Tuesday at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Heinz held a significant lead in chips. The lead changed hands multiple times until Heinz sealed his victory about 12:15 a.m. today. Heinz’s ace of spades and king of clubs held up against the runner-up Martin Staszko’s 10 of clubs and 7 of clubs
“I think it’s going to be huge when I get home,” the champ said.
Staszko collected $5,433,086 for his 2nd-place finish. He also made history as the 1st player from the Czech Republic to make a final table. The 35-year-old poker pro resides in Trinec, near the border with Poland.
Both players outlasted Ben Lamb, a 26-year-old poker professional from Las Vegas and Tulsa, who finished 3rd. Lamb took home $4,021,138.
Image courtesy of Jonathan Boncek/2011 WSOP

Wet Republic at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino will host a kickoff party for the Izod IndyCar World Championships at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. Hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco will perform at the party, entertaining all 34 Izod IndyCar Series drivers along with celebrities and fans.
The party follows the Izod IndyCar Series Parade Presented by Verizon, taking place on Las Vegas Boulevard beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets to the race, which will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are available at Ticketmaster.com or through the race track’s box office at 800.644.4444.
Reserved seating is $44 for adults, $30 for children (12 and under) and $109 for a family 4-pak (two adults and two children). General admission adult tickets are available beginning at $29, while children under 12 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
IndyCar.com
Also: Celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment will gather at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on Friday, Oct. 14 for the Sports Dream All-Star Celebrity Blackjack Tournament.
Tabú Ultra Lounge will host the stars for a meet-and-greet cocktail reception before the tournament and will serve as the “Losers’ Lounge” for celebrity players as they are knocked out of the event.
Among the stars scheduled to attend: Warren Moon; Michael Irvin; Marshall Faulk; Christopher McDonald; Ricardo Antonio Chavira; Benito Martinez; Danny Granger; Corey Maggette; Al Harrington; Tracy McGrady; Marcus Banks; Matt Barnes; Patrick Warburton; Jermaine O’Neal; Robert Horry; Derrick McKey; Marcellus Wiley; Warrick Dunn; and Javon Walker.

Mark Wahlberg and Micky Ward, whose character Wahlberg played in the movie “The Fighter,” held a Mayweather-Ortiz viewing party and “The Olympia” after party in a sweet little villa at the Palms Place Hotel and Spa in Las Vegas. Phil and George Maloof, shown above with the pair, also attended.
Brandy was in the house at Rain. So were Diddy, Dahntay Jones, Sebastian Telfair, Fabolous and Ray J.
And Maroon 5 performed a sold-out show at the resort’s Pearl Concert Theater on Saturday.
Other than that, it was pretty quiet.
Images courtesy of Denise Truscello for Wire Images and Joe Fury for 9 Group

Dude, we’ve got a little good news.
The Heat are favored to win the 2012 NBA title, getting 5-2 odds. Hmmm. Weren’t they the favorites this season too?
The Lakers are the 2nd-best favorite to capture the crown at 11-2, while the Bulls (6-1), Thunder (8-1) and Mavs (10-1) round out the top. Click below for the entire list.
Bodog.com

A broken nose to jockey Robby Albarado earlier in the week resulted in John Velazquez, who was scheduled to ride Uncle Mo, taking the mount on Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom, a 20-1 shot, is your Kentucky Derby winner.
AP

Canadian Jonathan Duhamel captured the World Series of Poker event Monday night at the Rio in Vegas, winning more than $8.9 million.
Las Vegas Sun

Manny Pacquiao will appear at the Barona Resort & Casino near San Diego on Sunday.
Pacquiao will be promoting his upcoming fight with Antonio Margarito, which will be held Nov. 13 at the Jerry Dome in Dallas. Some lucky fan will be awarded tickets to the fight during a drawing. There also will be drawings for Pacquiao memorabilia.
“We wanted to offer our guests an exciting and rare opportunity to meet a world champion boxer while having the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes and personalized boxing memorabilia,” said Rick Salinas, the resort’s general manager. “It’s also a great prelude to the upcoming Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight.”
Info: 888.722.7662 or www.barona.com.