Electric City Poker Series coming back to Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady

Poker fans are in for a treat when the second annual Electric City Poker Series returns to Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady from Thursday, 19 September until Sunday, 29 September. The Electric City Poker Series includes 10 tournaments in 11 days and will take place in the Poker Room and Van Slyck’s. This series features $250,000 in total guaranteed prize pools, and every event champion will be awarded a winner's trophy.

The opening event, from Thursday, 19 September until Sunday, 22 September, is the $300 buy-in Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold 'em with a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool. There are a total of five Day 1 flights to play in for your opportunity to advance to Day 2. 1 in 8 players will move forward to Day 2 where all players are “in the money!” A double bag bonus is also available paying $1,000 for each surrendered stack.

The Electric City Poker Series Main Event is an $800 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament with a guaranteed prize pool of $150,000. For the Main Event, there are three Day 1 flights providing players the opportunity to move forward, and the double bag bonus is increased to $3,000.

Debuting this year is the Savage Average format for the Omaha/Stud tournament on Monday, 23 September. Instead of using a clock to determine the blind levels, they will adjust as players are eliminated and the average chips stack is 25 big bets of the next blind level.

Other events unique to the area are the Rivers Revival and the Uber Stack Turbo. In the Rivers Revival event, any player yet to be eliminated may “Revive” upon their first elimination and get right back in the action with 20 Big Blinds. The Uber Stack Turbo will have everyone start off with 60,000 in tournament chips and play with a faster clock. Also on the schedule are a Pot-Limit Omaha Bounty Tournament and a Seniors Championship for players 55 and above.

Registration for all events will take place at the Rivers Casino Poker Room. Registration for all events opens on the scheduled day, two hours prior to the event start time.

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Mike Tyson returns to Cage Wars at Rivers Casino and Resort Schenectady

Legendary boxing champion, Mike Tyson, will be returning to the Capital Region for the next Cage Wars mixed martial arts event held at the Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Event Center on Friday, 13 September 2024. Tyson, along with his son Amir, will be providing live ringside commentary for all the high-energy MMA action during Cage Wars 67.

Tickets to Cage Wars 67 are on sale now at CageWarsMMA.com and start at $65 plus fees. Cage Wars 67 will feature local and regional amateur MMA fighters squaring off in the octagon to determine the Cage Wars 67 champion. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the fights begin at 6 p.m.

Fight fans will also be able to catch all the Cage Wars 67 action, along with Tyson’s ringside commentary, on the social media and streaming platform - Stimulus. Tyson’s last appearance in the area was in July of 2022 during Mike Tyson’s Fight Night, held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, the site of his professional debut. It was on March 6, 1985, that the then 18-year-old Tyson soundly defeated his opponent, Hector Mercedes, with a first-round TKO.

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Rivers Casino Schenectady poker room to reopen

Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady announced today that it will reopen its poker room this Wednesday, 1 September 2021. The Rivers Casino poker room has been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. The poker room’s hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily.

“One of the questions we’ve been asked the most is when will our poker room will be reopened, and we’re thrilled to announce today that it is finally coming back,” said Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady General Manager, Rick Richards. “The poker room is extremely popular and a big part of what makes for a fun and exciting gaming experience at the casino, and we couldn’t be happier to reopen it for our guests.”

The poker room is the last of the casino’s major gaming amenities to be reopened since the casino opened back up in September of 2020. It joins the casinos gaming floor, with slots and live table games, and the Rivers Sportsbook, in offering guests a complete gaming entertainment experience. The Rivers Casino poker room includes 16 tables and offers a variety of poker games.

Managing the poker room is Elliott Schecter who has spent nearly three decades as a dealer, room leader, and tournament director across the country including Nevada and Florida, and, most recently, Ohio, and Michigan. For the past 10-years Elliott has been the “Call the Floor” columnist and a contributing editor at Ante Up Magazine. Pending New York State Gaming Commission approval, Elliott has exciting promotions planned for the poker room including a Bad Beat Jackpot, High Hand Jackpots and a fun, new sports-themed Hot Seat promotion during NFL football games.

Rivers Casino’s current daily hours of operation are from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Downtime is being used for intensive property-wide deep cleaning in addition to the continuous sanitizing taking place throughout each day. Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests. Guests who are not vaccinated, or only partially vaccinated, from COVID-19 must continue to wear a mask.

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Poker returns to Rivers Casino Philadelphia

Shuffle up and deal. Live poker is back in Philly as the Rivers Casino Philadelphia poker room reopens today after being closed since the 15 March property-wide shutdown to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The casino’s gaming floor reopened on 17 July.

Rivers Casino Philadelphia will operate around-the-clock. The poker room can run up to 14 tables with a maximum capacity of approximately 100 guests. While Rivers Casino offers a variety of poker games, the action will be primarily No Limit Texas Hold’em cash games.

Safety for guests and Team Members is the casino’s top priority. Rivers Casino Philadelphia follows best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and meets or exceeds all COVID-19 Casino Reopening Protocols issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). Additionally, Rivers Casino adheres to all guidelines issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and meets all operating requirements set by the City of Philadelphia.

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Keith Sweat makes another stop at Rivers Casino

Legendary R&B singer Keith Sweat will bring his chart-topping R&B hits to the Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady Event Center on Friday, 14 June 2019.

Tickets go on sale Monday, 18 March at 10 a.m. and start at $40. Tickets are available at online or the Proctors Theater Box Office in Schenectady. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.

Keith Sweat’s debut album “Make It Last Forever” sold over four million copies, and he topped the charts in the 90’s with R&B hits “I Want Her,” “Make You Sweat,” and “I’ll Give All My Love to You,” among others.

With his October 2018 release of “Playing For Keeps,” Sweat stays true to his R&B and new jack swing roots. The album features collaborations with the likes of Akon on the song “Fuego,” and K-Ci from R&B duo K-Ci and JoJo on “How Many Ways.”

The singer, songwriter, and music producer produced Silk’s debut album, which yielded the #1 hit, “Freak Me.” Sweat went on to win the American Music Award (AMA) for Favorite R&B/Soul Artist in 1997 and received AMA’s Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. He currently hosts the nationally-syndicated radio program “The Keith Sweat Hotel” on iHeart Radio.

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Rivers Casino and Resort announces concert series

Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady will be kicking off summer with its new Harbor Jam concert series at the Mohawk Harbor Amphitheater. Harbor Jam is the first entertainment booked at the Mohawk Harbor Amphitheater since its completion by the Galesi Group at the end of 2017. Harbor Jam will feature eight free concerts open to the public, and will run from 23 June until 11 August.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate summer in Schenectady than with a free concert series at the Capital Region’s newest outdoor entertainment venue,” said Rob Long, Rivers Casino general manager. “We have an amazing and diverse musical lineup boasting of national touring acts and we are looking forward to a summer filled with great entertainment that the entire region can enjoy.”

The Harbor Jam performance lineup features Pure Prairie League, Orleans, Lords of 52nd Street (Billy Joel’s former band), California Transit Authority (Featuring Danny Seraphine of Chicago) and the country’s top tribute bands playing the music of Elton John, Eric Clapton, U2 and Steely Dan.

“Mohawk Harbor is an exciting place to be, and it’s only getting more energized with the announcement of our Harbor Jam summer concert series and our tremendous lineup of performances,” said Justin Moore, Rivers Casino assistant general manager. “We are excited to work closely with our partners at Galesi Group and the Harbor Jam sponsors to provide a wonderful and truly unique experience. People from all across the region can come out and enjoy a summer evening of great entertainment at a world-class waterfront amphitheater.”

Harbor Jam begins on Saturday, 23 June and runs until 11 August, with a concert every Saturday at 6 p.m. The concert series is being sponsored by Druthers Brewing Company, Galesi Group, Proctors Theater, Price Chopper/Market 32 and B 95.5.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase and provided by Rivers Casino & Resort, Druthers Brewing Company and the Schenectady County Community College culinary program.

There are no age restrictions to attend Harbor Jam. Concertgoers are welcome to bring chairs and blankets for seating. All concerts are rain or shine; there will be no rain dates scheduled.

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Rivers Casino makes $4.2 million payment for PPG Paints Arena

Rivers Casino and the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (SEA) announced today that Rivers Casino has paid $4.2 million toward the construction expenses for PPG Paints Arena.

Rivers Casino contributes $7.5 million annually to the SEA, with installments occurring in April and October of each year. To date, Rivers Casino has generated $67.5 million to help fund construction expenses for PPG Paints Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of the city’s premier entertainment venues.

By 2038, when the agreement concludes, Rivers Casino will have contributed a total of $225 million to the SEA for the arena’s construction, which was completed in 2010.

“Rivers Casino is proud to support the city of Pittsburgh and to promote another vital entertainment attraction,” said Bill Keena, general manager of Rivers Casino. “We wish the Pens another great season!”.

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Ring in 2018 on the river at Rivers Casino

Kick off 2018 at Rivers Casino with dancing, food and fun, and be sure to check out the special gaming promotions on the last day of December for a chance to change your luck for the new year.

Party the night away at Overtime on the River, Sunday, 31 December 2017 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Held in the casino's banquet room, the celebration will feature top hit songs from 2017. VDJ Rambo will get everyone dancing on the last night of the year with an electric vibe.

There will be live entertainment throughout the day on the gaming floor. Drum Bar will feature Velveeta from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., while Levels will host DJ Cake from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dick Tady Orchestra from 3-7 p.m. and Dueling Pianos from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

"Rivers Casino is where you want to be to celebrate New Year's Eve," said Craig Clark, general manager of Rivers Casino. "Whether you attend the Overtime on the River party, experience the amazing live entertainment at Levels or Drum Bar, or participate in our gaming promotions — New Year's Eve at Rivers is a celebration for everyone 21 years old and above."

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Rivers Casino promises huge New Year's Eve bash

Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is taking its first ever New Year's Eve celebration to the highest level, extending one of the biggest party nights of the year into a multi-night extravaganza with what promises to be the best two nights of entertainment and revelry in Schenectady history. Champagne bottles will pop and confetti will drop as Rivers throws the party of the New Year to welcome in 2018.

World famous headliners - The party starts in the Event Center on 30 December when Rivers hosts world-renowned impressionist and "Fox NFL Sunday" and "MADtv" alum Frank Caliendo. The good times keep rolling when the Capital Region's best New Year's Eve entertainment comes to Schenectady in the form of the legendary performers The Commodores.

On Saturday Night, 30 December, Frank Caliendo will take the stage at 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. Caliendo has been part of national television shows like "MADtv," "Fox NFL Sunday" and on his own TBS show, "Frank TV." Best known for his impressions, Caliendo has delighted audiences from Las Vegas to New York, including appearances on the "Late Show," the "Late Show with David Letterman," "Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn," "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." Tickets range from $35 to $60, and hotel packages for the show and stay at The Landing Hotel are available.

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Rivers Casino wins Best Casino award in Pittsburgh City Paper

Readers of the Pittsburgh City Paper honored Rivers Casino by voting it as the first-place winner in the Best Casino category in the publication's annual Best Of Pittsburgh readers' poll. The annual awards program set a new record with more than 160,000 votes received in more than 100 categories.

Along with winning first-place in the Best Casino category, Rivers Casino was voted as the second-place winner for Best Place for a Guys Night Out. Grand View Buffet was also recognized in the Best Buffet category.

The winners were honored in the 18 October Best Of Pittsburgh issue and will be celebrated tonight at Pittsburgh City Paper's 2017 Best of Pittsburgh Party at Ace Hotel.

"Thank you to the readers of Pittsburgh City Paper for recognizing Rivers Casino," said Craig Clark, general manager of Rivers Casino. "These awards represent our Team Members' dedication to creating outstanding dining and entertainment experiences for our guests."

To learn more about Rivers Casino, including award-winning dining options, entertainment, daily promotions and more, please visit the website.

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Poker star Phil Hellmuth comes to Rivers Casino

Rivers Casino presents an all-star weekend of poker and blackjack tournaments that poker fans and enthusiasts can enjoy watching on Friday, 6 October and Saturday, 7 October. "Poker Night in America" returns to Pittsburgh to host and record the second King of the Hill tournament and an invitation-only blackjack tournament featuring some of poker's top competitors. Both tournaments are open to the public to watch.

Phil "Poker Brat" Hellmuth defends his title, 6 and 7 October

Poker great Phil Hellmuth — 14-time World Series of Poker Champion and winner of "Poker Night's" first King of the Hill tournament — will compete in the King of the Hill II event, which starts on Friday, 6 October. Hellmuth will also sign copies of his new autobiography, "Poker Brat," on Friday from 6-7 p.m., which guests can win by sitting at a selected table during hot seat drawings on Thursday, 5 October from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. He will also compete in a VIP invitation-only blackjack tournament and Saturday, 7 October.

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Rivers Casino contributes $3.3 million to PPG Paints Arena

Rivers Casino and the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (SEA) announced today that a $3.3 million payment from Rivers Casino has been received and put toward the construction expenses for PPG Paints Arena.

Rivers Casino contributes $7.5 million annually to the SEA, with installments occurring in April and October of each year. To date, Rivers Casino has generated $63.3 million to help fund construction expenses for PPG Paints Arena, one of the city's premier entertainment venues and home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

By 2038, when the agreement concludes, Rivers Casino will have contributed a total of $225 million to the SEA for the arena's construction, which was completed in 2010.

"Our annual contributions help ensure PPG Paints Arena delivers top-notch entertainment and sporting events, making it among the leading entertainment destinations in the city," said Craig Clark, general manager of Rivers Casino. "We're proud to honor this commitment and to celebrate the Pens. We look forward to cheering on our back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions."

Rivers Casino generates approximately $161 million annually for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, including the city's economic development and tourism fund.

"Rivers Casino's generous commitment continues to demonstrate its continual support for the City of Pittsburgh," said Mary Conturo, executive director of the Sports & Exhibition Authority.

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Meet poker champ Phil Hellmuth at Rivers Casino Schenectady

Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is hosting world-renowned poker champion Phil Hellmuth on Monday, 21 August, in advance of the nationally televised Poker Night in America's visit to the casino.

Hellmuth will be signing copies of his newly-released book, "Poker Brat," in the Rivers Casino Poker Room from 5 to 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend; copies of "Poker Brat" will be available for purchase.

Hellmuth will be joined on Tuesday, 22 August by poker legends Doug Polk, Daniel Cates and Frank Kassela. The four greats of poker will star in the first ever Poker Night in America $200K heads-up, winner-take-all King of the Hill competition in front of a live audience in Van Slyck's entertainment lounge, just off the Rivers gaming floor, on 22-23 August.

Each player has put up $50,000 of his own money for the King of the Hill, bracket-style competition. Poker fans are encouraged to attend, or tune in via live stream at Twitch.

Poker Night in America will follow up the King of the Hill action with filming of its flagship $25/$50 No-Limit Cash Game at Van Slyck's entertainment lounge on 24 and 25 August. Local players will be competing with some of the biggest pros in the game on a live streamed and televised table.

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Player takes home largest prize in Rivers Casino history

Rivers Casino's Queen of Hearts promotion wrapped up with a finale drawing this weekend, when Amber C. won the grand prize of $400,000 cash. Since the launch of the promotion in February, Rivers Casino guests have been trying their luck to pull the Queen of Hearts, with the progressive top prize building each week to reach the $400,000 total.

A total of 13 players were selected on Saturday night with a chance to pick a card in search for the Queen. Of the 13, 12 players left with $1,000 Free Slot Play, while Amber C. won the $400,000 cash.

"This marks the largest promotional prize in our seven years in Pittsburgh," said Craig Clark, general manager of Rivers Casino. "It was great fun to see our lucky winner take home a prize that had been building for more than nine months".

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Rivers Casino donates $45,000 to Pittsburgh Penguins' charitable foundation

Rivers Casino donated $45,483 to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation as part of the casino's "Pittsburgh Penguins 777 Progressive Jackpot" promotion during the team's game three playoff win against the Washington Capitals.

Rivers Casino general manager Craig Clark, and Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation president Dave Soltesz participated in a check presentation during the game at CONSOL Energy Center.

Rivers' "Pittsburgh Penguins 777 Progressive Jackpot" promotion lasted throughout the regular NHL hockey season. For each second period goal scored by the Pens during every regular season home game, fans could redeem their game day tickets for Free Slot Play and Rivers added $777 into a grand prize progressive cash jackpot, given away to one lucky winner on April 9, with a matching amount donated to the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.

"This promotion was a win-win for our players and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, which supports many important causes in our community," said Craig Clark, general manager of Rivers Casino. "We're happy to take part in this presentation and Let's Go Pens!"

"With Rivers Casino's help, the Penguins Foundation is able to provide support for many community organizations," said Dave Soltesz, president of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. "We would like to thank Rivers for this generous contribution and for being a terrific neighbor and community partner."

The Penguins Foundation actively promotes physical well-being, encourages teamwork, stresses the value of education and provides essential life skills to young people in the Pittsburgh community through youth hockey and other activities.

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Rivers Casino fined $2 million

DES PLAINES -- Rivers Casino have been handed a hefty fine by the Illinois Gambling Board for a series of infractions, according to the Daily Herald.

The casino incurred a fine of $2 million for failing to follow procedures in relation to bidding and infractions related to promotions, the report said.

The casino is alleged to have allowed a patron to enter a giveaway after it the closing date, according to the Daily Herald report.

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Rivers Casino propose $50 million hotel

PITTSBURGH -- The Rivers Casino has revealed a plan to build a $50 million hotel, the Pittsburgh Gazette reported.

The information was submitted to the state gaming control board during the process to renew the casino's license, the report said.

The casino said the hotel would create 105 new jobs, however Rivers Casino casino workers are presently trying to unionize and marched around outside the gaming hearing in demonstration, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

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Poker Celebrities film in ‘Poker Night in America’

Guests will soon recognize a few famous poker faces around the tables at Rivers Casino. “Poker Night in America,” a nationally televised cable and web series, returns to Rivers Casino for a high-stakes celebrity cash game on Nov. 13 and 14. Play begins at 2 p.m. on Nov. 13.

“Poker Night in America” has filmed episodes at casinos across the country, and this is the show’s second stop in Pittsburgh. Poker Night spotlights the game and its players — often introducing audiences to surprising insights about some of their beloved poker personalities.

For the first time ever at Rivers Casino, the celebrity cash game will be open to spectators. Guests and players at Rivers will be able to watch the stars live and see the Poker Night film crew at work.

Poker celebrities expected to attend include:

Phil Hellmuth, known around the world as the “Poker Brat.” Hellmuth holds the record for most World Series of Poker bracelets, with 13.

Huck Seed, a four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and former engineering student; he is known for his proposition bets.

Gavin Smith. He learned cards by playing rummy and cribbage with his father. Smith is most recognized for his self-described “Clown” table image.

Greg Mueller, a former professional hockey player; his nickname — “FBT” — stands for “Full-blown Tilt.”

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Rivers Casino player wins $182,966 jackpot

PITTSBURGH -- Now that’s a jackpot! A lucky Rivers Casino guest hit it huge last evening while playing one of the casino’s 2,900 slot machines, taking home nearly $183,000 in cash. The winner preferred to remain anonymous.

This $182,966 jackpot is the largest in Rivers Casino history. This six-figure jackpot was delivered by a $1 Quick Hit Platinum slot machine. The Quick Hit Platinum game is a Vegas-style slot with five columns and three lines. When a guest plays ‘max bet,’ platinum versions of the Quick Hit logo appear in the reel. And, if a certain number of those logos hit, the player takes home the progressive jackpot, which is exactly what happened last evening.

“It is so exciting to see our guests set records like this one,” said Craig Clark, Rivers Casino General Manager. “The entire casino erupts when we have a big winner—our team members and other guests join in the celebration. Congratulations!”

Rivers has more big jackpots on the horizon, too. Currently, there are several six-figure progressives still growing, including another Quick Hit Platinum slot area with a $244,000 total and a table games progressive of approximately $130,000.

Since the casino opened in August 2009, Rivers has awarded more than $380 million in jackpots to players. A jackpot is defined as a win of $1,200 or more.

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