BARGE

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

B.A.R.G.E., the Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion, is a yearly convention held in Las Vegas during the first weekend of August (other than in 2006 when it was moved to later in the month of August due to a conflict with the World Series of Poker as some attendees participate in both events).

B.A.R.G.E. traditions include multiple poker tournaments, a blackjack tournament, the Official ADB Darkside Craps Crawl, and the only known Chowaha games played in casino settings for real money.

B.A.R.G.E. organizers include Chuck Weinstock, Peter Secor, Michael "mickdog" Patterson (starting in 2007) and Mike Zimmers (emeritus).

Some of the world class poker players who have participated either as speakers or players in the no limit holdem tournament include: Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Phil Hellmuth Jr, Greg Raymer, Mason Malmuth, David Sklansky, Mike Caro, Steve Watanabe, Lou Kreiger, Linda Johnson, Phil Gordon, Paul Phillips, Andy Bloch, William Chen and many others.

B.A.R.G.E. is the ancestor of all the other "ARG" events, including ATLARGE, ESCARGOT, FARGO, and others.

The first B.A.R.G.E was an informal gathering of a small number of participants of the rec.gambling newsgroup in Las Vegas in 1992. The poker tournament was No Limit Hold'em (as it still is, while additional poker tournaments have been added), and nine players participated.

Subsequent B.A.R.G.E's have been held at the Excalibur, Binion's Horseshoe, The Orleans, the Union Plaza, and the Venetian. Attendance has grown steadily, with up to 300 participant's expected for 2007.