CHOCTAW CASINO RESORT SET TO HOST FIRST-EVER WSOP CIRCUIT

DURANT, OK - (January 5, 2011) – WSOP Circuit action comes to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area when Choctaw Casino Resort hosts the WSOP Circuit’s first stop of 2011 beginning Thursday, January 6th through Monday, January 24th.

The 8th of 15 official tour stops scheduled for the 2010/2011 season, the upcoming WSOP Circuit series will be the first-ever held at Choctaw, which is located in Durant, OK, one hour north of Dallas.

“This is a huge poker market that has clamored for high stakes tournament poker and we’re ecstatic to be hosting a WSOP Circuit in this gorgeous property in Durant,” said WSOP vice president, Ty Stewart.

Ten official WSOP Circuit ring events are among the 51 total events scheduled for the 18-day Circuit stop, which concludes with the $1,600 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Main Event starting Saturday January 22nd.

The schedule, put together by noted tournament director Jimmy Sommerfeld, features a broad selection of poker games that includes variations such as PLO, PLO/2-7 triple draw mixed, H.O.R.S.E., Omaha 8 and Hold’em.

Also scheduled for Choctaw are the $235 buy-in WSOP Circuit Ladies Event, which takes place Sunday, January 9th and the $235 buy-in Seniors Event to be held Sunday, January 16th. Along with first place prize money, the winner of the Ladies Event receives the WSOP Circuit diamond-encrusted gold pendant.

Online registration for any of the 51 events is available through Startickets.com.

Tournament staff and organizers have worked diligently for months in preparation for what will undoubtedly be one of the largest gaming events ever held in the region.

“The vibrant poker markets in Texas and Oklahoma deserve a local to regional WSOP Circuit opportunity and Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant couldn’t be a better choice,” said Choctaw Casino Resort Director of Gaming & Hotel Operations, Steven Loyd.

“The Choctaw Nation is proud to be the newest member of the WSOP Circuit family.”

WSOP Circuit leader board points will be distributed to players based on their performance at Choctaw with the winner of the Main Event earning an automatic entry to the $1 million WSOPC National Championship to be held May 27-29 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

In addition, one more National Championship entry will be awarded to the player earning the most points through Choctaw’s ten ring events.

Special room rates in the resort’s new hotel tower will be available to WSOP participants and start at $69. Players can call 1-800-788-2464 to make reservations or book online. Use promo code WSOP2011.


Media Contacts:
Jay Newnum, WJ Media Marketing,
317.946.5334
jay@wjmedia.net

Alan Fowler, WSOP/Caesars Interactive Entertainment,
702.498.7532
afowler@caesars.com

ABOUT THE WSOPThe World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world awarding millions of dollars in prize money and the prestigious gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport's top prize. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker's longest running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970. In 2010, the event attracted 72,966 entrants from 117 different countries to the Rio in Las Vegas and awarded over $187 million in prize money. In addition, the WSOP has formed groundbreaking alliances in broadcasting, digital media and corporate sponsorships, while successfully expanding the brand internationally with the advent in 2007 of the World Series of Poker Europe. The WSOP Circuit Tour is entering its seventh season in 2010-11, and will feature 12 stops throughout the U.S., plus for the first ever, a stop in South Africa. For more information on the World Series of Poker, please visit www.WSOP.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.

IP Tournament Series Wrap-up

In The News

Biloxi, MS - (May 2, 2010) – ... Once again, I thought PTC Poker Tournament Consultants did a bang up job with the event.

When they nearly packed in 400 people to the freeroll you could tell people were willing to travel for freebies. You could also tell the staff were ready for the unexpected. Even as more and more players filed in and the chorus of “Rebuys” rang out through the room, they kept things in check and moving.

Anyway, I thought the dealers did great and the floor staff as usual settled disputes with little fanfare and good old fashioned common sense. Great job everybody.

To read this entire entry visit "Sleep With The Fishes, Dine On The Whales".

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:

• TheHendonMob.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.

San Diego WSOP Circuit Includes 22 Tournaments

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

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