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HEADLINE: Canada’s Best Compete for Top Spot at Coast to Coast Poker Championships
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Local poker players are among the best in the world, and now they’ll be put to the test at the Coast to Coast Poker Championships, presented by British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).
This inaugural tournament brings players from the East and the West together for a poker showdown, May 5-13, 2008, at River Rock Casino Resort. Leading the way are B.C.’s homegrown poker pro “Yukon” Brad Booth and Ontario’s local poker star Gavin Smith.
“I was born and raised in B.C., so I’m proud to represent the West in this new Canadian tournament,” explained Booth. “I challenge all my eastern counterparts to come out to B.C. so we can show the world who really is at the top of their game!”
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Coast to Coast Poker Championships,” stated Smith. “I look forward to lots of good poker action, and knocking out some of my Western opponents.”
The Coast to Coast Poker Championships features seven events with an estimated 2,650 players and $2.4 million prize pool. The main event offers a top prize of $377,300 based on a sell-out.
“We are proud to host the first ever Coast to Coast Poker Championships, which brings together some of the best poker players in Canada while adding an East versus West rivalry to the classic game,” said Darryl Schiewe, BCLC’s Vice President of Casino Gaming. “We have such good poker in Canada, and with great poker rooms, tournaments and players, there is no reason to leave Canada to play.”
Tournament events include No Limit Texas Hold’Em, Pot Limit Texas Hold’Em and Omaha High Mix, a Mother’s Day Team Tournament, as well as a “bounty” event where players who knock out a celebrity win extra cash.
The Coast to Coast Poker Championships will be the first stop for World Poker Tour Canada™. WPT Canada, a licensed product of WPT Enterprises, will film four one-hour episodes of the Championships to air nationally in Canada late August 2008. WPT Canada will reflect the popular WPT TV show based on a series of high-stakes poker.
Satellite games, which allow players to win their entry to tournament events, are currently available through participating casinos. Players, aged 19 or older, can register by phone at 1-604-247-8983 or in person at River Rock Casino Resort, 8811 River Road, Richmond, British Columbia. More information is available at www.bclc.com.
For media enquiries:
Angela Koulyras
Corporate Communications Officer
British Columbia Lottery Corporation
Office: 604-276-6443
Email: akoulyras@bclc.com
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