Annie Duke Heads New Pro Poker LeagueThe New League Will Be Limited To Top 200 Pros |
|
Federated Sports and Gaming has partnered with the Palms Casino Resort to introduce a new professional poker league in 2011. Annie Duke has been announced as the league’s commissioner and will oversee a schedule of four rake-free tournaments and an additional championship event in Las Vegas. Duke recently left UB to pursue other interests.
“A unified league is something we have been talking about in the industry for years and I’m really looking forward to bringing this vision to life,” said Duke.
The new league will only be open to the top 200 players in the world, determined by a “ranking system based on an eligibility formula that is driven by mathematics and proven historic achievement.” The exact details of the ranking system are not yet available.
Duke will be working with Jeffrey Pollack, former President and Commissioner of the World Series of Poker and the brains behind Youbet.com, Michael Brodsky, David Goldberg and Jeffrey Grosman.
“I’ve long believed that the top professional poker players create enormous value for the industry and are skilled in a way that is worthy of star treatment,” said Pollack. “Our new league will celebrate poker professionals like never before and provide tournament experience at the Palms that is first-class at every turn.”
The new league has also gained the support of eight-time WSOP bracelet winner Erik Seidel. “It’s has been a long time coming for a poker league on par with other professional sports,” he said. “I am looking forward to true excellence in the game being rewarded.”
Eligible players will be able to compete in four televised tournaments with overlays runnings from August to December. The championship even will take place in January of 2012.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
