Las Vegas (May 27, 2006) The National Poker League (NPL) will kick off its inaugural season of poker in high definition with the Vegas Open this Saturday, on June 2. The tournament will be held in the poker room at Caesars Palace and will be broadcast this summer in high definition on the INHD Network, one of the most widely distributed HD networks on cable today.
Unlike other televised poker events, NPL plans a fast turn around in program editing time, so that it may be aired as soon as July.
Pre-registration begins this Friday, June 1, at 12 pm, and is only available through the Caesars Palace poker room.
With smaller buy-ins, tournament executives expect a whole new generation of poker players to ante up for a chance to be on national television. "Televised tournaments generally require huge bankrolls," said Nene Gonzalez," president of the National Poker League, "what we're striving for is to be the poker tournament for players with smaller bankrolls and lots of game. They may even become TV stars in the process."
The series will consist of 10 separate, $1,060 buy-in tournaments, open to the general public, with each winner advancing to the semifinal heads-up round. The five heads-up winners will then advance to the final table, where they will play for the chance to win $100,000 in bonus cash, winner take all, which is added to the prizepool. Each stage of the tournament will offer prize money and will be televised.
The NPL is aiming at the younger generation of poker players and fans. Ali Nejad has come aboard the Vegas Open to deliver fresh commentary and offer a new generation of solid poker advice. Additionally, Scott Fischman, WSOP winner, will deliver his "Into The Tank" poker tip and analysis segment on each episode. Viewers will get a truly inside view into two great poker minds.
The new 14,500 sq. ft. poker room at Caesars Palace, one of the world's largest, will play host to the Vegas Open. In addition to the poker action, each episode will also feature segments about the hosting casino, player profiles, a Poker Pro "Tip of the Day," a Tournament "Play of the Day," and a Las Vegas segment titled "Las Vegas: High Rolling and High Living Mojo Style."
For further information contact Caesars Palace at 702 785-6566 or visit the NPL website at http://www.nplvegasopen.com.
