11/10/2008

SKYCITY FESTIVAL OF POKER MAIN EVENT KICKS OFF WITH $850,000 PRIZE POOL CONFIRMED

The Main Event at New Zealand’s biggest ever poker tournament, the SKYCITY Festival of Poker, is underway with a total field of 306 players and a prize pool of $850,000 confirmed, setting a record for player numbers and prize pool in New Zealand poker tournaments.

The world class poker stars competing in the Main Event today include:
- Joe Hachem, 2005 World Series of Poker Champion and Team PokerStars Pro
- Lee Nelson, 2006 Aussie Millions Champion and Celebrity Joker Poker co-host  
- Grant Levy, 2007 PokerStars.net APPT Sydney Grand Final Champion
- Eric Assadourian, 2007 PokerStars.net APPT Macau High Roller Champion & 2007 NZ Poker Champs winner

Also competing today are New Zealand’s own Brooke Howard-Smith and comedian Mike King. Champion jockey Shane Dye is also there.  

Playing yesterday were:
Greg Raymer, 2004 World Series of Poker Champion and Team PokerStars Pro (first appearance in NZ)
Emad Tahtouh, 2006 EPT London 2nd Place and noted Australian player

Ejaaz Dean, SKYCITY’s Executive Manager – Table Games, says: “With a prize pool of $850,000 and 306 players now confirmed, this is more than double the top prize pool at any previous poker tournament in this country. The winner will take home more than $250,000. Over the course of the Festival more than $1 million will be won.

“This is a huge step forward for tournament poker in New Zealand. It is one of the world’s fastest growing sports and has huge television appeal and viewership.  We are delighted to welcome such a talented field of local and international players to SKYCITY for the Main Event.”

The SKYCITY Festival of Poker will also include a $10,000 entry High Rollers event, which takes place from 6.15pm this Saturday, October 11.

The tournament’s main event Final Table, featuring the top nine players playing down to an eventual winner, takes place from 1.00pm this Sunday, October 12.

For more information visit www.festivalofpoker.co.nz.   




 

For further information please contact:
Kimberly Juergens
Communications Executive, SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Phone:    +64 9 363 6017
Mobile:    +64 21 665 253
E-mail:    kimberly.juergens@skycity.co.nz