MEDIA RELEASE
October 4, 2008

NZ’s biggest ever poker tournament underway

New Zealand’s biggest ever poker tournament, the SKYCITY Festival of Poker, is underway in Auckland.

Ejaaz Dean, SKYCITY Auckland’s Executive Manager - Table Games, said: “There were 180 entrants in the first satellite tournament, with more than 30 people on the waiting list, hoping that someone would get knocked out early so they could have a seat as well. The next satellite event starts at 4.30pm this afternoon.”

The week-long event will see SKYCITY Auckland Casino transformed into a poker player’s paradise, with single and multi-table satellite tournaments throughout the week culminating in a four-day main event starting on Thursday, October 9 and featuring international poker stars, including Joe Hachem, Lee Nelson and Chris Moneymaker.  More than 200 players have registered for the main event, which will aim to offer a $1 million prize pool.

For information on how you can take on the world’s best poker players, the tournament schedule and online registration for events; visit www.festivalofpoker.co.nz or call 0800 SKYCITY.

Ejaaz Dean said: “Tournament Poker is one of the world’s fastest growing sports and has huge television appeal and viewership.  SKYCITY is proud to bring players of this calibre to our shores. I’m sure Kiwi poker fans will be excited at the prospect of not only matching skills against them in a game, but also learning what has made them amongst the world’s best.”

LEARN FROM THE PROS

SKYCITY, in conjunction with World Poker Seminars, is proud to announce two of the biggest names in professional poker will hold a Poker Academy when in town for the SKYCITY Festival of Poker this week.

Joseph Hachem and Lee Nelson will be holding a one-day personalised seminar where fans can learn the skills of tournament Texas Hold ‘em from the world’s best poker players.  Hachem is the headline act of the seminar. He has previously won US$7.5 million as 2005 World Series of Poker Champion.

Joseph Hachem said: “I am truly looking forward to my first visit to Auckland and playing in New Zealand’s premier poker tournament at SKYCITY Casino. It also gives me great pleasure to announce that along with my colleague Lee Nelson, we will be holding our first ever educational seminar at SKYCITY on October 9.  Look forward to seeing you there.”

Lee Nelson was the 2006 Aussie Millions Champion, winning AU$1.43 million, and is the co-host of both the New Zealand and Australian versions of the popular television series Celebrity Joker Poker.

Places for this unique event cost $750 per person for the day-long seminar and include lunch and a participants-only tournament where the winner will gain free entry to the SKYCITY Festival of Poker Main Event (valued at $3,000).

With seats strictly limited, the seminar is expected to sell out. Book a seat today at www.festivalofpoker.co.nz or call 0800 SKYCITY.

ENDS

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