CEO Poker Tournament at Palms Las Vegas

In another twist to mainstream televised poker tournaments, CEO Entertainment will host its inaugural CEO Poker Tournament October 22-27 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

World CEO Entertainment's William Peraza, Jr. believed there was a need for exclusively designed poker tournaments that catered to those influential decision makers already making daily business decisions in the corporate sector. Peraza and President of CEO Poker Maria Gomez organized the five-day black-tie affair to satisfy the competitive spirit of elite worldwide executives.

Hundreds of participants will compete this month in a series of live $1,500 no-limit Texas hold'em events, capped off by a $5,000 championship. Cash prizes are expected to exceed $300,000 daily, with a prize pool of over half a million dollars offered during the main event. The overall winner will take home the stylish ring befitting the prestigious title of "Chairman of Poker."

Shortly after Peraza and Gomez introduced the idea, hundreds of executives from around the world responded. Already registered for the event are Tom Messener of Euro RSCG Worldwide in New York, Golden Nugget owners Tim Poster and Tom Breitling, Steele Platt of Yardhouse Restaurantsand, and Meir Strahlbert of Date.com Inc. in Miami Beach Florida.

"CEO Poker allows executives to exhibit the very talents and skills they use in a corporate environment at the poker table," said Peraza. "And just like the game of poker, strategy, knowledge, luck, and the psychology of bluffing are key in becoming successful in the business world."

"Poker is the new golf," said Gomez who, along with her firm, conducted a survey in 2005. Five hundred elite executives were asked if they preferred poker to golf. Of those who responded, 65 percent said they'd rather battle it out over the green felt of a poker table than putt around the green of a golf course.

"CEOs are people too," says Peraza, "and World CEO Entertainment aims to ensure the public gets to see this firsthand via the unique events and televisions shows."

The event is open to spectators, and the Palms Resort and CEO Poker have solicited the talents of energetic and charismatic live events commentator Steve Cyr. Also a casino host, Cyr is often sought by gambling establishments to bring well-known high rollers like basketball legend Michael Jordan and casino mogul Larry Flynt to appear at Las Vegas and California venues. He's also the author of the book Whale Hunt in the Desert.

"We're excited about having a host who knows the power players involved in our project," says Gomez. "He (Cyr) is a natural. He understands the high-roller culture and will have incredible poker stories and comments at key moments during the game."

Bringing CEO Poker to television is Mark Sennett of Mark Sennett Productions, who'll ensure the whole thing comes together for television.

Click here for Card Player's CEO Poker Tournament event schedule.

Click here to register for the CEO Poker Tournament at the Palms or go to http://www.ceopokertour.com for more details.

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