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BARGE
BARGE
BARGE
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BARGE
StatusActive
GenreConvention
DateFirst weekend in August
VenueWestgate Las Vegas (since 2019)
LocationsLas Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1991 (1991)
Attendance200
WebsiteOfficial website

BARGE, the Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion, is a yearly convention held in Las Vegas during the summer, usually a weekend in late July or the first weekend of August. It consists of a series of tournaments both of poker and other gambling games, as well as a banquet and a host of informal social and gambling activities organized by attendees. Some of the well-known 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, Matt Matros, Linda Johnson, Phil Gordon, Paul Phillips, Andy Bloch, William Chen, Doyle Brunson and many others.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

BARGE is formally open to "members of the rec.gambling" community,[8] but registration must be done in advance over the Internet. BARGE organizers include Russell Fox, Rich Bremer, Jeff Deitch, Sharon Goldman, and Stevan Goldman. Former organizers include Chuck “Enabler” Weinstock, Peter “Foldem” Secor, Michael "mickdog" Patterson, Nick Christenson, Bree Goldman and Mike Zimmers.

BARGE history

[edit]

The first BARGE was an informal gathering of a small number of participants of the rec.gambling newsgroup in Las Vegas in 1991 during SIGGRAPH, a computer graphics convention. The next year, many of the same players got together and had a poker tournament at The Mirage. The poker tournament was No Limit Hold'em (as it still is, while additional poker tournaments have been added), and nine players participated. Since then, BARGE has been held at various Las Vegas locations (see below for a list). Attendance has grown steadily, averaging about 200 participants.

In its earlier years, BARGE attendees were interested in Blackjack as much as they were in Poker. Some famous Blackjack players (card counters) who have attended BARGE include Andy Bloch, Stanford Wong, Arnold Snyder and 'Mr. M.' Since around 1998, BARGE attendees and BARGE activities have centered much more around Poker.

In 2006 BARGE was moved to later in the month of August due to a conflict with the World Series of Poker as some attendees participated in both events. Since then BARGE has returned to its traditional 1st weekend of August.

BARGE 2020 was held entirely online with a full slate of tournaments hosted on a site created by an ARG participant.

BARGE is the progenitor of all the other annual "ARG" events, including ATLARGE (held in Atlantic City), ESCARGOT (held in the Los Angeles area), FARGO (held in Connecticut, prior to 2014 at Foxwoods, now at Mohegan Sun), MARGE (held in Biloxi), EMBARGO (Winter Las Vegas event) and others.

BARGE traditions

[edit]

Traditions are extremely important to BARGE. For example, Scottro (a prominent BARGE participant) denied that his much-washed originally red hat was actually pink, resulting in dozens of players wearing pink baseball hats at the 2006 BARGE, held at the Venetian. "To Throw Down the Pink Hat" has subsequently come to mean "to challenge someone to a heads-up poker match."

Perhaps the most famous BARGE tradition is "Presto!" as a nickname for a hold'em hand of pocket fives. The term was originated by Frank Irwin (as slang for a blackjack) but its poker meaning is far more widespread, making appearances on multiple sets of commemorative chips, badges, etc.

Other BARGE traditions include multiple poker tournaments, a blackjack tournament, a video poker tournament, the Official ADB Craps Crawl, a Sushi outing with Sake tasting, the Unofficial BARGE Smoker and Bourbon Tasting, Karaoke night, and the only known Chowaha games played in casino settings for real money. Chinese Poker has also been played at BARGE for many years.

After the BARGE banquet on Saturday evening, another tradition is played out. 'Reindeer games' – various exotic poker games—are spread. These games include or have included Chowaha, first spread at Binion's in 1997; Binglaha (a variant of Omaha, in which whether the game is played high-only or high/low is determined after the flop betting by a roll of a die), first spread at Binion's in 2003; 'Must-drink, must-toke HORSE'; and Lowball. Many games from attendees’ home games are also played. Murder, Oklahoma, and many other games (mostly Omaha variations) are common.

Whenever anyone busts out of a BARGE tournament, they are given a round of applause—-not as an ironic gesture, but as a thank-you for participating in BARGE. Many players also bring a "bust-out gift," which they give to the player who busted them. These are typically small, memorable tokens, but have included such gifts as a decoupage "Last Supper" featuring Chris "Jesus" Ferguson (the late Don Perry's gift in 2005, the year he won) and an iPad (JK Scheinberg's gift in 2010).

The winner of the No-Limit tournament is traditionally tasked with designing a set of chips for next year's BARGE, with some sort of commemorative design. These chip sets are then sold the next year. The BARGE Chip Committee, currently headed by Patrick Milligan (circa 2008), helps the winner with the logistics and artwork.

BARGE guest speakers and BARGE locations

[edit]

Most years, the annual banquet features a guest speaker. Past speakers:

BARGE No-Limit Hold 'em Champions

[edit]
  • 1992 – Steve Jacobs
  • 1993 – Roy Hashimoto
  • 1994 – Dave Hughes
  • 1995 – Tom Sims
  • 1996 – Mike Zimmers
  • 1997 – Steve Brecher
  • 1998 – Lee Jones
  • 1999 – John Harkness
  • 2000 – Jeff Bartoszewicz
  • 2001 – Russ Fox
  • 2002 – Mike McBride
  • 2003 – Paul Person
  • 2004 – Gavin Smith
  • 2005 – Don Perry
  • 2006 – Mordecai Schwartz
  • 2007 – John Pickels
  • 2008 – Dan Chevrie
  • 2009 – David Heller
  • 2010 – Chuck Humphrey
  • 2011 – Rich Bremer
  • 2012 – Paul McMullin
  • 2013 – David Lawful
  • 2014 – Andreas Wolfram
  • 2015 – Jennifer Shahade
  • 2016 – Becca Kerl
  • 2017 – Chris Mecklin
  • 2018 – Don Rieck
  • 2019 – Scott Harker
  • 2020 – Russ Fox (1st repeat winner)*
  • 2021 – Sabyl Landrum
  • 2022 – Jesse Capps
  • 2023 – Rich Bremer (1st repeat live event winner)
  • 2024 – Tim Showalter
  • 2025 – Gillian Groves

* - online free event

Notes

[edit]
[edit]
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BARGE

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A barge is a flat-bottomed vessel designed primarily for transporting bulk cargo, such as coal, grain, or petroleum, along inland waterways, rivers, and canals where larger ships cannot navigate. Unlike self-propelled ships, barges typically lack their own engines and are towed by tugboats or pushed by pusher boats, making them efficient and cost-effective for short-haul freight movement. Originating in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Egypt around 4000 BCE, barges evolved for trade on river systems worldwide, including Europe's extensive networks; modern barges vary in size and capacity, with inland models often carrying up to 1,500 tons and seagoing variants handling larger loads across coastal routes. Barges play a crucial role in global logistics, particularly in regions with dense networks of navigable waterways like the Mississippi River in the United States or the Rhine in Europe. In countries such as the Netherlands, inland waterway transport accounts for around 30% of freight. Key types include hopper barges for loose materials, tank barges for liquids like oil, and deck barges for oversized equipment, each adapted to specific cargo needs and environmental conditions. Their shallow draft allows access to shallow waters, reducing the need for dredging and minimizing environmental impact compared to road or rail transport. The word "barge" derives from Old French "barge," possibly from Medieval Latin "barga," with roots tracing to ancient terms for small boats. Historically, barges evolved from simple rafts used in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt around 4000 BCE, advancing through the Industrial Revolution with iron construction and steam-powered towing. Today, advancements like double-skin hulls enhance safety and capacity, supporting sustainable shipping amid growing demands for low-emission freight solutions.

Overview

Definition and Founding

BARGE stands for Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion, an annual event that originated from discussions in the rec.gambling Usenet group. It was first held informally in 1991 as a meetup for online discussants of poker and gambling topics. The inaugural gathering brought together a small group of about a dozen participants in Las Vegas, centering on poker activities while remaining open to broader forms of gambling and social interaction. From its inception, BARGE has been managed by a volunteer committee drawn from the BARGE.org online community, operating without any formal corporate sponsorship or backing to preserve its grassroots, enthusiast-driven nature. This structure emphasizes community involvement in planning and execution, fostering a sense of camaraderie among attendees who span various professions and levels of poker expertise. Attendance has grown to approximately 200 participants as of recent years, with the event spanning a week at various Las Vegas casinos.

Purpose and Organization

BARGE's primary purpose is to facilitate a transition from online poker discussions to in-person gambling, socializing, and skill-building activities, serving as an annual gathering that connects members of the rec.gambling online community with real-world recreational experiences. This event emphasizes fun-oriented poker and gambling without financial pressure, allowing participants to engage at their preferred stakes while exchanging ideas to enhance gameplay skills. Secondary objectives include promoting ethical recreational gambling practices, such as inclusivity and responsible play, fostering networking among enthusiasts year-round through an online community, and providing accessible tournaments tailored for amateur players alongside experienced ones. These goals help build a supportive environment that welcomes novices and experts alike, prioritizing enjoyment over competitive intensity. Organizationally, BARGE operates as a community-driven initiative with annual planning coordinated through the official BARGE.org website, which handles registration, event scheduling, and volunteer coordination among members. Funding primarily comes from tournament entry fees, with additional support from sponsorships and group hotel arrangements to keep costs manageable. Participants predominantly hail from the rec.gambling heritage, consisting mainly of amateur players aged 30-60, with international attendance but a U.S.-centric focus due to the event's Las Vegas base.

History

Origins in the 1990s

The origins of BARGE (Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion) can be traced to the burgeoning online community of the rec.gambling Usenet newsgroup in the early 1990s. The first informal gathering took place in 1991 during the SIGGRAPH conference in Las Vegas, where around 10 regular Usenet participants convened for casual poker games, discussions, and socializing at local venues and hotel rooms. This event, though unnamed at the time and lacking any formal structure, is retrospectively recognized as the inception of BARGE, fostering connections among gambling enthusiasts in a pre-social media era dominated by text-based online forums. Attendance grew steadily throughout the decade, starting small and reaching over 190 participants by 1999, driven by word-of-mouth within the expanding rec.gambling and later rec.gambling.poker (RGP) communities. Early events remained low-key, but the addition of structured tournaments beginning in 1992 marked a shift toward more organized activities; for instance, the 1992 gathering at the Mirage Hotel featured the inaugural main event—a limit hold'em tournament with about 10 players, won by Steve Jacobs. By 1994, events at the Luxor drew 60 attendees, and subsequent years saw further expansion, with 113 players in 1995 at Binion’s Horseshoe and consistent growth to 180 in 1998, often including guest speakers starting with Mason Malmuth in 1995, such as in 1998. The first banquet and symposium were introduced in 1996, enhancing the community aspect. Organizers encountered significant logistical challenges in coordinating these pre-internet gatherings, relying on Usenet posts and rudimentary email lists for communication while navigating venue bookings and ad-hoc setups in casinos or hotel rooms. Incomplete records from scattered RGP and rec.gambling posts highlight the informal nature of early documentation. Key milestones included the 1992 debut of the main event tournament, which provided a focal point for competition, and the mid-decade introduction of cash prizes—such as $425 for the 1994 winner—alongside multi-table formats by 1995, helping to professionalize the event while preserving its community-driven ethos.

Growth and Key Milestones

BARGE experienced significant growth during the 2000s, coinciding with the surge in online poker's popularity, which drew more participants to live events. Main Event attendance for the No-Limit Hold'em tournament rose from 180 players in 2000 to a peak of 219 in 2005, reflecting broader interest in recreational gambling excursions among online communities. This period also saw the introduction of additional side events, such as the Tournament of Champions (TOC) mixed-games format in 2000 and Pot-Limit Omaha tournaments starting in 2013, expanding the event beyond its single annual poker tournament tradition from the 1990s. The BARGE Chip Committee formed in 2001 to oversee custom chip designs, and team events like CHORSE debuted in 2002. By mid-decade, the festival featured up to five tournaments annually, with total unique cashers reaching hundreds by the late 2000s, underscoring BARGE's evolution into a multi-event gathering. The passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006 marked a pivotal challenge, as restrictions on online poker funding contributed to a gradual decline in U.S.-based live event attendance, with Main Event entries dropping to 179 by 2010 and continuing to 128 in 2018. In response, BARGE adapted by emphasizing its recreational, community-driven focus and attracting more international participants, maintaining engagement despite the downturn. Key milestones included the 20th anniversary celebration in 2011 at Binion's Casino, featuring an expanded lineup of events like Limit Hold'em, Team CHORSE, and a TOC-style tournament, alongside guest speakers to commemorate two decades of the rec.gambling tradition. Venue shifts in the 2010s further supported continuity, with a move from Binion's (primary site through 2018) to Green Valley Ranch in 2019 and then Westgate Resort starting in 2021, providing larger spaces for tournaments amid changing Las Vegas dynamics. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted innovative adaptations, including a fully virtual format in 2020 hosted on an online poker platform—BARGE's first and only cancellation of the in-person event—followed by a hybrid return in 2021 at Westgate with masking protocols and quarantine measures due to the Delta variant. Recent trends indicate stabilization, with Main Event attendance hovering around 100 players in 2024 (99 entries) and preliminary reports suggesting similar numbers for 2025 (around 100 entries), bolstered by inclusive initiatives such as the Significant Others' Hold'em tournament introduced in 2013 to welcome newcomers and partners, alongside open registration policies that encourage diverse participation, including women and first-time attendees. This focus has helped sustain a core community of 200-250 total participants annually, even as the event returned to the Orleans Hotel & Casino in 2025 for enhanced accessibility.

Events and Activities

Poker Tournaments

The poker tournaments at BARGE form the core of the event's competitive activities, comprising approximately 13 to 16 events spread over five to six days, encompassing a diverse array of formats to cater to participants' varied skills and preferences. These include no-limit hold'em, pot-limit Omaha, limit hold'em, mixed-game rotations such as HORSE variants (e.g., TORSE, substituting 2-7 Triple Draw for hold'em), stud high/low splits, and innovative hybrids like Bidirectional Chowaha or Whammy CAR, which incorporate dice rolls or jokers for added unpredictability. Team events, such as the six-player Team CHORSE (a HORSE mix with Crazy Pineapple), further enhance the communal aspect, requiring coordinated entries and play across sub-games. The flagship event is the annual No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, held on the final Saturday with a $180 buy-in ($145 entry plus $35 fee), drawing 100 to 150 entrants and generating a prize pool of around $15,000 to $18,000 based on participation. Play typically begins at 10:30 a.m., with a dinner break and restart in the evening, following a structure that advances to a final table. Tournament rules adhere to standard protocols akin to those of the World Series of Poker, including escalating blinds (e.g., starting at 100/200 with big blind ante) and 15- to 20-minute levels, but BARGE introduces distinctive elements like table shuffle reseating—where seats are redrawn at each break to promote randomization—and optional re-entries or add-ons in select side events to sustain action. Lammers, valued plastic markers redeemable for chips, facilitate rebuys during early levels in games like Pot-Limit Omaha, ensuring deeper stacks without interrupting play. A signature feature across events is the emphasis on fun and community, exemplified by the mid-week Champions Bounty No-Limit Hold'em tournament, where bounties are placed on former Main Event winners—valued at $100 plus the last two digits of their victory year (e.g., $124 for a 2024 champion)—funded from the prize pool and collectible upon elimination. Prize distributions prioritize flat payouts, with 15 to 20 percent of the field cashing; for the Main Event, the top prize ranges from $3,000 to $4,000, while side events offer smaller pools scaled to 40 to 100 entrants, underscoring BARGE's recreational ethos over multimillion-dollar stakes. All cash games and expansions, like the Mini Reindeer Games, operate without elimination, allowing unlimited play using casino chips.

Non-Poker Excursions and Social Events

BARGE participants engage in a range of gambling excursions beyond poker tournaments, often venturing into Las Vegas casinos for games such as blackjack, craps, and slots. These outings typically involve group visits to properties along the Strip, allowing members to explore diverse gaming options in a social setting. For instance, the event's structure encourages informal "gambling crawls" across multiple venues, fostering camaraderie while sampling various casino atmospheres. Social events form a core part of the BARGE experience, promoting interaction among attendees from the rec.gambling.poker online community. Welcome dinners and farewell parties provide opportunities for storytelling and reconnection, often featuring informal meetups where participants share Usenet-era anecdotes. Additional gatherings, such as trivia nights and cocktail hours, enhance the convivial atmosphere, with examples including the Pre-Reindeer Games Cocktail Hour held during the 2023 event. Unique activities add variety to the schedule, blending recreation with light competition. The annual BARGE dinner serves as a highlight, complete with guest speakers like professional poker player Maria Ho in 2023, held at venues such as Taverna Costera. Other offerings include the Triathlon of Gambling Blackjack, a $60 buy-in event focused on non-poker casino games, and peculiar cash games like Chowaha, Binglaha, and Action Razz, which incorporate elements of bingo and other variants. Inclusivity is emphasized through events tailored for non-poker enthusiasts, including spouses and beginners. Low-stakes tables and beginner-friendly sessions ensure accessibility, aligning with BARGE's motto: "There are no strangers here, just friends you haven't met yet." Activities like group outings for shows, shopping, karaoke, golf, sushi dinners, fun runs, and room escapes further accommodate diverse interests, making the gathering welcoming for all skill levels and backgrounds.

Traditions and Culture

Annual Rituals and Community Norms

The BARGE community upholds a series of annual rituals that foster camaraderie and whimsy among participants, rooted in its origins from the rec.gambling Usenet newsgroup. One prominent tradition is the Symposium, an evening gathering where attendees ostensibly debate societal issues while engaging in informal wagering, such as ironic auctions reminiscent of Calcutta betting on tournament outcomes, though officially framed as non-gambling discourse to skirt casino restrictions. The event culminates in the World Roshambo Championships, a post-banquet rock-paper-scissors tournament held for fun without monetary stakes, requiring an entry "fee" of 100 units of enjoyment to emphasize the lighthearted spirit. Reindeer Games, wild poker variants played Saturday nights, serve as a chaotic highlight, blending exotic formats like Chowaha with exuberant socializing. Daily and recurring customs reinforce the event's structure and inclusivity, including the Fun Run—a 2- to 3-mile group jog or walk—and the Death March, an early-morning golf outing often undertaken by hungover participants, alongside its lighter counterpart, the Dork March, featuring miniature golf. The Craps Crawl, an inebriated procession through Fremont Street casinos playing "dark side" bets with celebratory dice-spiking upon rolling sevens, exemplifies the playful risk-taking tolerated within the group. These rituals have evolved over time; for instance, the traditional Smoker—cigar-filled dinners celebrating meals—ceased after Nevada's 2006 indoor smoking ban, spawning the Non-Smoking Smoker as a rival alcohol-focused alternative. Additionally, Monday Night Tournaments donate a significant portion of prize pools to charity, a practice that has grown to underscore the community's philanthropic leanings. Community norms prioritize sportsmanship, inclusivity, and ironic humor, creating an environment where no one faces pressure to exceed their bankroll or skill level. The "no jerks" ethos is implicit in the welcoming motto, "There are no strangers here, just friends you haven't met yet," attributed to participant Peter "Foldem" Secor, ensuring a diverse mix of professionals, novices, and over 20 World Series of Poker bracelet winners coexist harmoniously. High-stakes side bets are discouraged in favor of low-pressure fun, with strict aversion to "stoloff"—failing to honor wagers—treated as a grave offense among members. Table etiquette includes designating "table captains" as rules experts, often with humorous pejorance, and post-hand affirmations like "gg" (good game) to maintain positivity. Cultural quirks distinguish BARGE, including the pervasive use of online handles from Usenet and IRC origins, such as "ADB Jaeger" for Eric Holtman or "Goldie" for Stevan Goldman, which persist in person to honor digital identities. Storytelling sessions weave through the event via trip reports and glossary entries sharing Usenet anecdotes, like the legendary "Rocks n' Beer" strategy of passive table-sitting for free drinks at 1990s casinos, or the evolution of "Quick bets" into "Go For Goldie" challenges. These narratives, often laced with phrases like "gamb000l!" as a battle cry for enthusiastic gambling, preserve the founding community's irreverent tone.

Impact on Poker Enthusiast Community

BARGE, originating from the rec.gambling Usenet newsgroup in 1991 during the SIGGRAPH conference, has significantly contributed to community building among poker enthusiasts by transitioning online discussions into real-world gatherings that foster lasting personal connections. Participants often describe the event as a "poker fraternity" where lifelong friendships, and even marriages, have formed through shared experiences in tournaments and social activities, emphasizing inclusivity with the motto "There are no strangers at BARGE, only friends you haven't met yet." This sense of camaraderie extends beyond the annual Las Vegas excursion, sustained by year-round online interactions via mailing lists and social media, drawing a diverse group of novices, professionals, and over 20 World Series of Poker bracelet winners. The educational role of BARGE lies in its facilitation of open idea exchange and exposure to diverse poker variants, which has advanced amateur strategies in a low-pressure environment. Events feature peculiar games like Chowaha, Binglaha, and Action Razz alongside standard tournaments, allowing players to experiment and learn from one another without exceeding personal bankrolls. These interactions, rooted in pre-online poker discussions from the 1990s, helped cultivate recreational skills among enthusiasts during poker's early mainstream expansion, predating the 2003 online boom. Community reports highlight how such engagements have improved participants' game understanding through informal strategy sharing. BARGE's legacy effects are evident in alumni involvement in sustaining and expanding recreational poker culture, including organizing satellite events that preserve its history of fun-focused play. Members actively host additional U.S.-wide gatherings, such as the winter EMBARGO since 2011 and mixers during the World Series of Poker, ensuring ongoing engagement. This has positioned BARGE as a key preserver of pre-online poker traditions, with its model influencing similar communities like MARGE in Mississippi. The broader reach of BARGE extends to inspiring recreational poker meet-ups that bridge online and offline worlds, diversifying participant demographics through accessible, social events. Its format has directly influenced groups like Two Plus Two during WSOP, Deuces Cracked at ARIA, and modern Poker Meet-Up Games (MUGs) by vloggers Andrew Neeme and Brad Owen, promoting nationwide connections among hobbyists. By prioritizing enjoyment over competition, BARGE has helped make poker more inclusive for casual players from varied backgrounds.

Notable Participants

Guest Speakers and Influencers

The Guest Speakers and Influencers section of BARGE has played a pivotal role in elevating the event's educational and communal aspects since its inception. Beginning in 1995, BARGE introduced formal guest speakers to complement its poker-focused gatherings, starting with poker author and organizer Mason Malmuth, who delivered the inaugural talk at a symposium held at the Plaza Hotel. Malmuth, a key figure in BARGE's development and a prominent voice in poker literature through works like Poker Strategy: Winning with Game Theory, not only spoke on strategic concepts but also helped shape the event's evolution from informal rec.games.poker online discussions to structured annual excursions. His contributions as both speaker and influencer underscore BARGE's emphasis on intellectual engagement within the poker community. Subsequent years featured a diverse array of influential poker personalities, often pros and authors sharing insights on strategy, history, and mindset. Notable early speakers included Mike Caro in 1996 and 1998, known for his psychological approaches to poker detailed in Mike Caro's Book of Poker Tells, who addressed attendees at Binion's amid growing interest in behavioral tactics. In the 2000s, high-profile figures like Doyle Brunson (2009), a two-time World Series of Poker Main Event champion and author of Super/System, delivered keynote addresses at the annual dinner, drawing crowds for discussions on legendary hands and career longevity. Later examples include Daniel Negreanu in 2016, who spoke on goal-setting and preparation in poker. These selections highlight BARGE's tradition of inviting recurring guests from professional circuits, such as Chris Ferguson (2000) and Phil Hellmuth (2001), to foster knowledge exchange. Guest appearances typically occur in integrated formats that blend education with BARGE's social ethos, including strategy seminars like the 1995 symposium, panel discussions—such as the 2002 session with Linda Johnson and Steve Lipscomb on poker media and rules—and Q&A sessions following annual dinner keynotes. These elements, often held at venues like Binion's or the Venetian, provide attendees with direct access to experts, enhancing the event's value beyond tournaments. The presence of such speakers and influencers has significantly boosted BARGE's educational impact, attracting enthusiasts eager for in-depth poker discourse and solidifying its reputation as a hub for strategic learning within the broader poker world. Organizers like Malmuth have curated these contributions to align with BARGE's community-driven norms, ensuring sessions promote both novice development and advanced theory application.

No-Limit Hold'em Champions

The BARGE No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, held annually since 1992, serves as the flagship tournament of the gathering and crowns a champion each year from a field of amateur and semi-professional players. The event features a buy-in that has gradually increased from $35 in 1994 to $180 in recent years, with prize pools distributed to the top 15-20% of entrants using flat payouts. Winners receive not only the top prize but also the honor of designing the theme for the following year's custom BARGE poker chip set. Below is a list of Main Event champions, including field sizes where available and notable feats. Data is compiled from official BARGE records up to 2018, with recent results from annual summaries.
YearChampionField SizeNotable FeatsFirst Place Prize
1992Steve Jacobs~10Inaugural event, held informally in a hotel room as pot-limit Hold'em.Unknown
1993Roy Hashimoto18Winner flew in and out same day.Unknown
1994Dave Hughes60First structured event with $35 buy-in.$425
1995Tom Sims11318 players cashed; final table deal.~$1,974
1996Mike Zimmers150Buy-in $55; 18 cashed.$3,000
1997Steve Brecher164Buy-in $55; 18 cashed.$3,280
1998Lee Jones180Buy-in $55; 18 cashed.$3,500
1999John Harkness190Buy-in $60; 18 cashed.$3,800
2000Jeff Bartoszewicz180Buy-in $70; 18 cashed.$3,129
2001Russ Fox~200Buy-in $70; prize pool $14,000 (largest known to date).$4,230
2002Mike McBride162Buy-in $80; 18 cashed.$2,825
2003Paul Person180Buy-in $80; 18 cashed.$3,180
2004Gavin Smith206Buy-in $80; also won 2003 Tournament of Champions.$3,710
2005Don Perry219Buy-in $100; largest field in history; 18 cashed.$5,050
2006Mordecai Schwartz218Buy-in $100; 20 cashed.$4,800
2007John Pickels206Buy-in $120; 18 cashed.$4,600
2008Dan Chevrie204Buy-in $130; 18 cashed.$4,550
2009David Heller209Buy-in $130; 19 cashed; also 2006 runner-up.$5,035
2010Chuck Humphrey179Buy-in $125; 19 cashed.$4,430
2011Rich Bremer172Buy-in $125; 19 cashed.$4,290
2012Paul McMullin158Buy-in $125; 17 cashed.$3,945
2013David Lawful144Buy-in $130; 16 cashed; also won 2013 BAAP event.$3,100
2014Andreas Wolfram (co-winner with Bob Lauria)151Buy-in $130; 18 cashed; heads-up deal.$3,150
2015Jennifer Shahade141Buy-in $150; 17 cashed; won same night as banquet speaker.$4,215
2016Becca Kerl138Buy-in $160; 16 cashed.$3,886
2017Chris Mecklin132Buy-in $160; 15 cashed.$3,992
2018Don Rieck128Buy-in $160; 18 cashed; fourth top-3 finish (record).$3,811
2019Scott Harker127Buy-in $180.$4,287
2020Russ Fox116 (virtual)Buy-in $0 (online event due to COVID-19); Fox's second win, first repeat in history.FM 4,060 (funny money)
2021Sabyl Landrum88Buy-in $180; return to live play.$3,204
2022Jesse Capps83Buy-in 140+140+40.$3,002
2023Rich Bremer98Buy-in 140+140+40; Bremer's second win (first live repeat).$3,568
2024Tim Showalter99Buy-in 135+135+45.$2,962
Past Main Event champions carry escalating bounties in dedicated events like the annual Champions Bounty No-Limit Hold'em tournament, calculated as $100 plus the last two digits of their winning year(s) (e.g., Paul McMullin, 2012 winner, carries $112; Rich Bremer, 2011 and 2023 winner, carries $134). These bounties are paid separately from the prize pool when a champion is eliminated, with shared pots splitting the amount equally, adding strategic incentive to target them and heightening excitement in the amateur field. Unregistered past champions who enter also carry their bounty. Notable achievements include the absence of repeat winners until Russ Fox's 2020 virtual victory, followed by Rich Bremer's 2023 live repeat, marking the first such feat in person. Underdog stories abound, such as Jennifer Shahade's 2015 win on the same evening she spoke at the BARGE banquet as a renowned chess author and poker commentator, or Don Rieck's 2018 triumph after four prior third-place finishes—a record for multiple deep runs without a title. Records encompass the largest field of 219 entrants in 2005 and the highest known prize pool of $14,000 in 2001, reflecting the event's growth amid its community focus.

Locations and Logistics

Historical Venues

The Big August Rec.Games.Poker Gathering (BARGE) has been hosted primarily in Las Vegas since its inception in 1991, with venues selected for their poker facilities, accessibility, and suitability for group events. Early gatherings were informal and rotated among Strip hotels to accommodate the small group of rec.gambling newsgroup participants. The first official event in 1992 took place at The Mirage, where the inaugural poker tournament was held in a hotel room as an impromptu limit hold'em game that evolved into pot-limit format. Subsequent early events shifted to other properties for similar reasons of convenience and availability: the 1993 gathering at the Rio and the 1994 event at the Luxor, both offering central locations on or near the Strip. From 1995 onward, BARGE established a long-term relationship with Binion’s Horseshoe (later rebranded as Binion’s) in downtown Las Vegas, hosting there for most years through 2018, with occasional exceptions for variety or logistics. This venue became the staple due to its historic poker room, welcoming atmosphere for low-stakes games, and proximity to other downtown casinos, aligning with BARGE's focus on recreational play and community bonding. Notable deviations included 1999 at The Orleans for its spacious facilities suitable for tournaments and speakers; 2005 at The Plaza (formerly Union Plaza) amid downtown renovations or scheduling conflicts; and 2006 at The Venetian, chosen initially for its large poker room but avoided thereafter due to ethical concerns over owner Sheldon Adelson's business practices. These mid-period shifts reflected BARGE's emphasis on poker-friendly policies and group rates, though rising costs and venue availability occasionally prompted relocations. In the late 2010s, following the 2019 event at Green Valley Ranch and a 2020 online edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BARGE transitioned to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino starting in 2021 through 2024, seeking dedicated spaces for expanded tournaments and events amid the group's growth. Westgate provided a modern poker room and central location off the Strip, accommodating the festival's mix of hold'em, lowball, and social activities, with the move influenced by Binion’s evolving operations post-ownership changes. This venue hosted through 2024, prioritizing affordability and logistical ease for out-of-town participants. However, for 2025 and 2026, BARGE returned to The Orleans Hotel & Casino, citing its proven track record from 1999 and reliable group accommodations. Venue choices throughout BARGE's history have consistently favored properties with strong poker infrastructure, competitive room rates, and easy access to Las Vegas's gambling ecosystem, ensuring the event's recreational ethos endures.

Current and Future Hosting

BARGE, the Big August Rec.Gambling Excursion, has returned to the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for its primary annual hosting since 2025, marking the event's first appearance at this venue since 1999. The 2025 edition took place from July 28 to August 2, featuring a full schedule of poker tournaments, side events, and social gatherings tailored to the rec.gambling community's preferences. This location was selected for its spacious facilities and historical ties to the event, providing ample room for the expected 200-300 participants while maintaining an intimate atmosphere conducive to BARGE's non-commercial ethos. Looking ahead, BARGE 2026 is scheduled for July 20-25 at the same Orleans Hotel & Casino, continuing the venue's role as a stable host to build on the positive feedback from 2025. Registration for the event opened in advance through the official BARGE website, with hotel blocks secured to accommodate attendees at competitive rates. This continuity in hosting aims to streamline logistics for regulars, including easier access to tournament structures and ancillary activities like the traditional "Triathlon of Gambling." Organizers have indicated no immediate plans for venue changes post-2026, emphasizing the Orleans' suitability for BARGE's scale and community-focused format. In parallel, the related EMBARGO winter event—often considered a seasonal extension of the BARGE tradition—underwent a venue shift for 2025 and 2026. EMBARGO 2025 occurred at Resorts World Las Vegas from January 16-19, introducing a modern resort setting with enhanced amenities for its smaller, off-season crowd. For 2026, it is set for January 29–February 1 at the same Resorts World, with hotel blocks already open to ensure accessibility (extended from original plan of January 29-31 to include a bonus Sunday event). While EMBARGO operates independently, its scheduling and structure complement BARGE by offering year-round engagement for the community, though it features a condensed program compared to the flagship August event.

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