International
Everyone in the poker world knows about Aruba, especially this time of year. The Ultimate Bet Aruba Classic has just kicked off and is sure to be Hot-Hot-Hot. Prior to the first Ultimate Bet Aruba Classic, which was held and televised in 2002, Aruba was mainly known to cruisers. Now, every October, it is the "IN" place to be for poker players as well. Adding to Aruba's population of around 105,000, every fall some of the biggest names in poker arrive. What makes them go back year after year besides the tournament action? Well...it's the water.Just about any island in the Caribbean is a prime tourist destination, even without a big tournament event. Once you lay your eyes on that incredible clear, warm, aqua sea, you will see why.
It's the water.
You just can't find water that inviting anywhere here in the old US of A. Not outside of a well maintained swimming pool anyway. Why? On Aruba, like most other islands, there are no rivers. No rivers mean nothing dirty or nasty is running into the sea and mucking it up. And, that is also why the water is so warm. No muck in the water to block the suns warming rays. Not only won't you ever want to leave, but when you do, you will soon start plotting your return visit. Ultimate Bet will help you with that; you can begin qualifying for the next event almost immediately.
Aside from the water, Aruba is unique in many respects, for one, it is primarily Dutch. Located in the Caribbean Sea, it is an island of the Lesser Antilles. As it is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it is in fact classified as the Netherlands Antilles, which consists of a Caribbean-American part (Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles) and a Dutch/European part (The Netherlands). Together, the State of the Netherlands, the State of the Netherlands Antilles, and the State of Aruba form a Commonwealth. Queen Beatrix is the Ruler, but because she lives in The Netherlands, there are two appointed Governors who represent her and govern the island.
One thing that sets Aruba apart from most Caribbean islands is the climate. No swaying Palm trees and native abundant tropical flowers here. The cactus-strewn landscape has more resemblance to the Nevada desert than a tropical paradise. Most of the year, the weather is dry and arid with almost no rainfall. Like many of Aruba's island cousins, summers can be brutal, with humidity so high it can leave you running for your air conditioned hotel room. One big plus (weatherwise) for tourists heading for Aruba is that it lies outside the Hurricane Belt, so you shouldn't have to worry about one of those nasty things ruining your vacation (or poker tournament).
Another thing that makes this island different fromm so many others, for the Arubans at least, is that citizens are allowed to gamble. This may be due to the fact that the income levels are higher than other Caribbean islands, or because they are under Dutch rule.
Poker comes to Paradise.
Hundreds of American troops were stationed in Aruba during WWII. Most of them were waiting impatiently to be deployed to much less desirable parts of the globe. We have all heard stories of how those guys liked to gamble, so you can bet poker was being played on Aruba as early as 1944. This was light years before Ultimate Bet or casinos came to the island.
The casinos are something else that makes Aruba unique - all 10 of them.
What is so special about 10 casinos you ask? Well... consider the size of Aruba. This little island is only 20 miles long (less than 75 sq. miles) which is just a few cacti bigger than the town of Plano, Texas. Imagine TEN casinos in Plano and you can visulize one on every corner. The ten casinos contribute heavily to the economy of the island, which relies almost solely on tourism for income. The Ultimate Bet event is a huge win-win for Aruba every year. Aruba is no longer just a destination for cruise ships, but a destination of poker players and their families as well. This is the best of everything for a poker player; a beautiful and fun destination for the whole family...and poker for you. Let the kids hang out at the beach, while you hang tough at the poker tables of The Radisson, The Wyndham, and The Excelsior Casinos.
Other than the month of October when the big events are held, most of the rooms offer lower limit games of HE, Stud and Omaha. During the Ultimate Bet event, you will find games of just about every shape and size all the way up to No Limit.
Coinciding with the Ultimate Bet event, The Excelsior hosts the Carribbean International Hold-em Tournament. This event has a $300,000 guarantee and starts the 1st of October.
Want to be there next year? Download Ultimate Bet here and sign up. Ultimate Bet always offers satellites to the Aruba Classic.
Next year you could be "One Happy Poker Player" quoting Aruba's motto: "One Happy Island"!
WSOP Tournament of Champions
The Tournament of Champions is back at the WSOP. You can vote for 20 players that you feel deserve to be part of the tournament. 
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