December 2009 Poker Highlights: Mini-FTOPS, GUKPT, and More

The Mini-FTOPS series kicked off on December 10, 2009, with a $22 buy-in tournament and a $250,000 prize pool. Parus345, a Russian player, finished second, winning $42,138.71. The Main Event of the Mini-FTOPS series is scheduled for December 20, 2009, with a $55 buy-in and a $600,000 prize pool.

Toni Cascariano secured a significant victory in the Grand Final of the GUKPT, defeating Antoine Arnault in a heads-up battle. Cascariano's prize for this win was £168,000. The tournament featured 183 participants over four days, and Cascariano's victory was particularly notable given his past football career and the high-stakes nature of the event.

In other news, the Binion's Horseshoe hotel and casino in Las Vegas is closing. This historic venue, known for hosting World Series of Poker events, is shutting down due to competition from newer, more modern casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. The closure marks the end of an era for the iconic poker destination.