888.com Poker Ashes 2009 Qualification

888.com has announced the details of its upcoming Poker Ashes 2009, an event which decides which country has the best poker know-how — England, led by former Yorkshire captain Darren Gough, or Australia, led by bowler Shane Warne. Each team will have four international cricketers plus two online qualifiers, and five test matches will be filmed on Jun. 22 and 23 in London.

The televised tournament, produced by Ian Langstaff and Winmedia, will then be aired on SKY SPORTS 2 from July 15-19 at 10 p.m. in the U.K., and also in Australia, India, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Qualification for places is currently taking place at 888.com and players can sign up at the site using the code ASHES100. Those who do make it to the televised event get their tournament entry, travel, and accomodation paid for, as well as $1,000 in spending money, and some autographed cricket memorabilia.

Aussie captain Shane Warne said, “Aussies don’t like to be beaten by the Poms – whatever the sport. And I can tell you that Darren Gough and his English Poker Ashes team will face a stern test from our boys! We are taking this very seriously — I’m getting the very best poker players from the Aussie changing rooms, and you Poms are set for an absolute flogging!”

Players from Australia can try for a place in the online final via daily freerolls, Mon-Sat, at 8 p.m. (AEST) or through the $5 buy-in satellites held daily at 8.45 p.m.. English players can qualify for the online final through the weekly freeroll which takes place every Thursday at 8 p.m. or the $1 satellites running from Sat-Wed at 8 p.m.. The highly anticipated online final takes place on Jun. 7 at 8 p.m.

Sponsor of the event, 888.com, will donate $50,000 to the charity chosen by the winning team, which will either be the Shane Warne Foundation if Australia comes up trumps, or the Professional Cricket Association if England takes the title.

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