March 14, 2009

Jennifer Harman Two-Day Fundraiser in Reno, Nevada Raises More than $111,000 for National Kidney Foundation

Reno, NV - (March 14, 2009) – Professional poker player Jennifer Harman hosted two days of fundraising activities in Reno, Nevada last week, raising more than $111,000 for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) . Events started on Tuesday with a Masters Forum Poker Academy coordinated by LIPS founder Lupe Soto, followed that evening by a " FullTilt Throw Down " party hosted by Doug Worton and sponsored by Silver State Wine & Liquor at Pearl Nightclub. On Wednesday, a celebrity red carpet walk preceded Harman's first annual charity poker tournament benefiting the NKF sponsored by Curtis & Co. Watches , 2 Step Images , and Dream Team Poker . Additional fundraising activities on Wednesday included a NKF silent auction and a LIPS Vendor Faire.

Notable attendees included professional poker players Marco Traniello, Andy Bloch, Howard Lederer, Tiffany Michelle, Lacey Jones, Maria Ho, Linda Johnson, Todd Brunson, Roy Winston, Lee Watkinson, Lee Markholt, David Plastik, Gary "Debo" DeBernardi, Shawn Van Asdale, Jan Fisher, Jeff Madsen, and Marsha Waggoner, and ESPN commentator Lon McEachern, baseball legends Vida Blue and Tido Fuentes, World Champion snowboarder and X-Games judge Jeff Brushie, and NBA veterans Michael Brown and Doug Lee.

"This is the largest field of any charity event I've hosted," said Harman. "The outpouring of support exceeded any expectations. I can't thank the poker community enough for its generosity."

The charity poker tournament attracted more than 300 participants, including 22 ten-player teams participating in a "FullTilt Throw Down" side competition. Though Peppermill Casino donated $8,000 to sponsor four ten-player teams, they were no match for Atlantis Casino's "Team 2," accumulating the most points to receive a "FullTilt Throw Down" team trophy and ten team member prize packages. Team Oaks Casino and Team LIPS tied for second place. A "Ro! Cham! Beau!" tiebreaker determined Oaks Casino as the "FullTilt Throw Down" team silver medal winners. LIPS team members each received third place bronze medals.

"We couldn't be happier with the turnout," stated National Kidney Foundation CEO Christopher Kelley. "This event raised an enormous amount of awareness around our cause."

William Roberts of Reno, Nevada was the overall individual winner of the Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament and received a Legacy Alliance custom crystal trophy, a $5,000 World Poker Challenge entry, and a Curtis & Co. Watch. Tom Galusha, Jim fisher, Wei Jin, Armas Schwartz, Troy Wallace, David Imburgia, Sandy Kasinowicz, Kim Rios, and Yarom Limor placed second through tenth, consecutively.

"It's always great to play poker for a good cause," exclaimed Roberts after his win. "I was just glad to be a part of it. Jennifer did a great job and everyone had a blast."

The charity poker tournament was managed by Jimmy Sommerfeld of Poker Tournament Consultants (PTC) , hosted by Grand Sierra Resort, and emceed by celebrity tournament director Matt Savage. Celebrity transportation was provided by Dream Team Poker . Northern California resident Kelli Griggs coordinated more than 20 ten-player teams, raising $40,000 for charity. Reno Public Relations representative Gina Trampush coordinated much of the northern Nevada sponsorship and vendors. Additional sponsors and supporters included LIPS founder Lupe Soto, Grand Sierra Resort, GSR dealers who donated much of their own gratuity back to the NKF, Curtis & Co. Watches, CardPlayer.tv , Silver State Wine & Liquor, Whole Foods, Hal Hitchcock of 2-Step Images, CardPlayer Cruises , FullTilt Poker, WSOP Academy, Stimudent, and libertydialysis.com . The two-day fundraiser was a GreasieWheels production.

Results:

* World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah's License Company, LLC ("Harrah's"). Harrah's does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with, This and That or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.

February 23, 2009

San Diego WSOP Circuit Includes 22 Tournaments

world series of poker circuit logo

Harrah's Rincon Hosts Sixth-Annual WSOP Circuit

Valley Center, CA - February 23, 2009 – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The world's largest and most prestigious poker tournament series is returning again to Southern California. For the sixth consecutive year Harrah's Rincon, the San Diego area's premier gaming and resort destination, will be hosting a World Series of Poker Circuit event. This year's 13-day tournament series takes place from March 19th through April 1st, 2009.

The World Series of Poker is the world's richest sporting event. Last year, the WSOP competition in Las Vegas alone awarded nearly $170 million in prize money to winners - more than Wimbledon, the Masters, and the Kentucky Derby combined. Five years ago, the WSOP hit the road for the first time in history. Poker tournaments were offered at multiple Harrah's properties spread throughout the United States. Rincon was one of the first casinos ever to host a WSOP-related event held outside of Las Vegas. Turnout has been strong every year, making Rincon one of the Circuit's most popular attractions.

This year's action-packed schedule includes 12 major daily tournaments, plus ten more late afternoon tournaments - bringing the combined menu to 22 total tournaments. This makes the upcoming Rincon series one of the busiest poker destinations of the season. In addition, the Rincon Poker Room will offer multiple satellites and around-the-clock cash-game action.

The Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort is nestled in a quiet valley between the mountains 45-miles northeast of San Diego. Rincon, which has multiple dining, entertainment, and spa/fitness options for guests of all ages, is a convenient destination for poker enthusiasts throughout Southern California. In years past, Rincon's WSOP Circuit tournaments have attracted thousands of poker players with all levels of experience, from recreational competitors to world champions. Former WSOP champions Doyle Brunson, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer, and Jerry Yang have attended in recent years. Rincon has also been visited by other poker greats, including Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Berry Greenstein, Phil Gordon, Chris Moneymaker, Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Scotty Nguyen and many other superstars.

This year's poker tournament schedule includes a wide variety of poker games, including Limit Hold'em, No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Hold'em, Omaha High-Low, Seven-Card Stud High-Low, and H.O.R.S.E. In addition, there will be a ladies-only poker tournament and a special tournament for seniors. Tournament buy-ins start as low as $125. The Rincon championship event will be played on the final three days of the series (March 30th through April 1st) and will cost $5,150 to enter. Super-satellites for the championship event costing as little as $65 will be held daily, 24-hours a day.

"Harrah's Rincon is proud to be a fixture on the World Series of Poker Circuit," said Robert Livingston, Vice President & Assistant General Manager at Harrah's Rincon. "I know all our casino and hotel employees look forward to the excitement of this big-time tournament coming to Southern California. This year, we really intend to roll out the red carpet for everyone, whether they just want to play a little poker for fun or strive to become a world champion."

This year's tournament director is Jimmy Sommerfeld, one of poker's most respected and experienced gaming officials. The Harrah's Rincon poker room manager is Alexia Alsop, who will be working with her staff to coordinate San Diego's premier poker event. Additional staffing will be provided by the elite and prestigious Poker Tournament Consultants group.

Rincon is also providing special luxury hotel accommodations to poker players for as low as $81 per night. In addition, entrants who purchase a tournament buy-in $500 and greater will receive a $15 food coupon which can be used at several casino restaurants.

More about Harrah's Rincon

Winner of the 2007 SHRM Workplace Excellence Award (Marble Award in the Large Company category) and owned by the Rincon San Luiseno Band of Mission Indians and managed by HCAL, a subsidiary of Harrah's Operating Company, Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort is located at 777 Harrah's Rincon Way (33750 Valley Center Road) in Valley Center, CA, 20 minutes northeast of Escondido. With approximately 1,600 employees and an identity as a top resort-gaming destination, the casino offers state-of-the-art amenities and the unparalleled customer service that has made Harrah's a nationally recognized brand.

* World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah's License Company, LLC ("Harrah's"). Harrah's does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with, This and That or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.

Jimmy Sommerfeld Talks To Tourneyblog

Jimmy Sommerfeld

Oklahoma - (February 23, 2009) by Deanna Goodson – Jimmy Sommerfeld is the Tournament Director of the 2009 Oklahoma State Championships of Poker. A major player in the world of tournament directing, Sommerfeld works with Poker Tournament Consultants, a group dedicated to being “the industry leader in the coordinating, directing, and executing of the most prestigious poker tournaments worldwide.”

...Recently, he squeezed in a few moments with us to discuss not only his background and Poker Tournament Consultants but also to share his passion for poker.

Read the entire interviewhere at Tourneyblog.com

January 28, 2009

Christina Lindley Meet and Greet

Harrah's Tunica


Actress, Model, Professional Poker Player / Blogger, and Former Tennessean Christina Lindley to Play in Harrah’s Tunica World Series of Poker Circuit Event


TUNICA, MS - January 23, 2009 – Fresh from filming “Best Damn Poker Show 2” on ESPN actress, model, poker player / blogger, and former Nashville, Tennessee resident is making her way to Tunica, Mississippi to compete in the World Series of Poker Circuit Event at Harrah’s Tunica. Lindley will meet and greet fans and sign autographs Saturday, January 31, 2009 from noon to 2 p.m.

At the early age of fourteen, Christina got her first big break when a photographer discovered her at a mall in Georgia. He entered her in the Seventeen Magazine/JCPenney Cover Model Contest and Christina was one of the finalists. She appeared in her first layout in Seventeen Magazine followed by YM. Since then she appeared in countless national and international magazines including: “Maxim,” “Stuff,” :FHM,” “Celebrity Interview in Playboy,” “Fitness RX,” “Muscle And Fitness,” “TV Direkt,” “Olympian News,” “Ironman Magazine,” Boss,” “Muscular Development,” “MuscleMag,” “In Touch Weekly,” “People,” and “Star Magazine.”

Her national campaigns for print, commercial, and endorsements have included: Penta water, Vizio Flat screen Televisions, Pantene Pro-V, Strut, BSN, Bodybuilding.com, Lasvegasdirect.com, movietickets.com, and several others.

Once she found success in the modeling and fitness industry, naturally, the road led west. Christina packed up and moved to Hollywood intent on pursuing a career as an actress in film and television.

No stranger to hard work, she hit the ground running immediately engrossing herself in training with the best acting coaches in Hollywood including: Howard Fine, Larry Moss, and Eric Morris. She also began honing her comedic chops at the world famous Groundlings in Los Angeles. The Groundlings is the famous launching pad for the likes of Phil Hartman, Will Ferrell, and countless other SNL Alum.

In the short time since her arrival in LA, she has extensive film and television credits to her name. She just wrapped on three projects that will be released in 2008: A guest starring role on the all improv non-scripted "Head Case" on STARZ! Network starring Alexandra Wentworth, and she costars alongside the likes of Tom Cavanaugh in the first ever Lifetime miniseries produced by Emmy award Winning producer Stanley Brooks called "The Capture of the Green River Killer", as well as cameo in the feature film "Playboys" starring Trever Moore and Zach Creggor.

Her past film and television credits include: a costarring role in the 20th Century Fox film "The Marine" starring John Cena and Kelly Carlson, a national promo for the NFL and NBC promoting the FLEX SCHEDULE, "Campus Ladies" for Oxygen and famed “Curb your Enthusiasm” director Robert B. Weide, HBO's “Entourage,” appearing in the second season on MTV's popular tv show "Wild N'Out" with Nick Cannon as a "Wild N'Out" girl, GRB Entertainment's "Princes of Malibu". A guest star on Bravo's “Blowout,” Spike TV's “Video Game Awards” assisting Snoop Dogg in giving geeks there cheat codes, SPIKE TV's guide to dating for men called "The Playbook.” “Undiscovered” starring Ashley Simpson (The Hot Chick), Carrie Fischer (Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle) and Kip Perdue (Thirteen), as well as a Nick Cassavettes film (he directed “John Q and The Notebook”) called “Alpha Dogs,” featuring Bruce Willis (The Whole Ten Yards), Justin Timberlake (Longshot), and Sharon Stone (Catwoman).

A native of the South, Christina grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and attended high school in Nashville, Tennessee.

Christina currently resides in Los Angeles, and is a contributing writer to several national fitness magazines.


Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada over 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The company’s properties operate primarily under the Harrah’s, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah’s also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. More information about Harrah's is available at www.harrahs.com

* World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah's License Company, LLC ("Harrah's"). Harrah's does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with, This and That or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.