Director Hara Announces 2005 World Poker Schedule

 For 35 years, the World Series of Poker has been an event everywhere in Las Vegas. But in 2005, the road to poker's ultimate championship begins in Atlantic City. From Jan. 7-18, 2005, Hara's Atlantic City will host the premiere of the 2005 World Series Poker Tournament Circuit, a series of five poker tournaments hosted by Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. This tournament will precede the 36th annual Poker World Series at the Rio All-Sweet Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

"In 2005, poker in the World Series began to evolve from a month-long special event into a year-round sport," said Ginni Shanks, Hara's senior vice president of acquisition marketing. "The road to the World Series of poker championships will be challenging and arduous. But unlike professional soccer, basketball, golf or auto racing, even the most eco-friendly amateurs can start their challenge for titles."

Players will earn points based on their performances in circuit tournaments and the Poker World Series. The top 100 points winners will receive a free invitation to the 2005 Poker Tournament of Champions, and only one winner will receive a $2 million prize.

After the January tournament in Atlantic City, the tournament circuit will stop by Harrah's Rincon (Feb. 20-March 1) near San Diego, Rio (March 12-22), Harrah's Lake Taho (April 26-May 10), and Harrah's New Orleans (May 21-30). Each match will be recorded and aired on ESPN.

The 36th annual Poker World Series is scheduled to begin on June 2 and will run until July 15. An estimated 5,000 players are expected to take part in the $10,000 acquisition and unlimited Texas M Championship, double the number they competed in 2004. 바카라사이트

To accommodate a large pool of expected participants, most of the 2005 World Poker Series will take place in Rio, but the final two days of the championship tournament will take place at Vinion Horsch in downtown Las Vegas. The 2005 Tournament of Champions will take place soon after the World Series Poker Championship match and will take place in Rio.