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From left: Kirk Morrison, Dave Farra, Sam Riddle, Kyle Morris
Kathy Raymond, Rob Huxley, Nene Gonzalez, Tim Mix

National Poker League Partners With Venetian Casino

by Justin West

It calls itself the "National Poker League." In reality, the "International" Poker League might be more fitting, because unlike some tournament circuits the NPL spans not only one country or continent, but the entire globe.

"The National Poker League is the newest and most aggressive poker playing organization in the world," the league says on its website. "Our tournaments and television shows are aimed at the younger generations of poker players and fans, along with legendary poker pros."

Five tournaments are scheduled to take place between now and the end of the year, including the $15,000 NPL World Championship hoested by the Venetian Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here's a look at the league's schedule through 2007:

Dates	Event Name	Venue	Location
Aug. 12-18	NPL U.K. Open	Loose Cannon Club	London, England
Oct. 26-29	NPL Australia Poker Open	Crown Casino	Melbourne, Victoria
Oct. 10-15	NPL Asian Open	Hyatt Hotel and Casino	Manila, Philippines
Nov. 25 - Dec. 2	NPL Vegas Open	Vanetian Casino Resort	Las Vegas, Nevada
Dec. 3-5	NPL World Championship	Vanetian Casino Resort	Las Vegas, Nevada

The NPL announced at a press conference on Tuesday their partnership with the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Venetian will serve as the "home base" for the NPL, as not only the location for two tournaments (The Vegas Open and the World Championship), but as the point of broadcast for the televised series.

"We are delighted NPL has chosen The Venetian Poker Room to be the official home of the 2007 Vegas Open and the World Championship Tournament,” said Kathy Raymond. Former supervisor of the world-famous Foxwoods poker room in Connecticut, Kathy is now the Director of Poker Room Operations for the Venetian.

“This is truly exciting," Kathy continued. "We have worked hard to build a reputation of hosting well-structured, exciting poker tournaments run by a staff that is both friendly and knowledgeable. The NPL tournaments are a perfect match for what our players have come to expect from The Venetian Poker Room."

The events at the 2007 NPL Vegas Open at the Venetian will kick off on November 24th with a Charity Party and tournament, organized by the new Poker Cares program. Founder of Poker Cares, Annie Van Bebber, was not immediately available for comment, but details on the charity event should be forthcoming.

World Series of Poker bracelet-holder Kirk Morrison, a popular professional with more than $2.5 Million in career tournament earnings, will serve as the NPL series' host alongside Las Vegas rock-n-roll radio jock, Dave Farra.

Curious to see more of the NPL? You'll have your chance, as the events will be filmed and televised in markets all across the globe, beginning with the U.K. Open at the Loose Cannon Club in London, England.

"We are extremely pleased that the Loose Cannon Club has partnered with the NPL to host our first international televised poker tournament in Europe,” Sam Riddle, President of NPL’s Television division, said via press release. According to Riddle, the National Poker League is estimating that more than 100 million households will be reached via the broadcast.

Viewers in the U.S. can catch all 26 one-hour episodes on the INHD network, the WGN superstation, and in syndication on various CBS affiliates. Other markets include France (via the TF1 station group), the UK, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan. According to its website, the NPL "continues as the only poker television series produced in high definition."

Cards will hit the air at the NPL's U.K. Open on Sunday, August 12, with the first in a series of events leading up to the £2,500 + £100 main event. Those interested in pre-registering for the events can do so at the NPL's website, NPLWorldPoker.com.

Justin West is Assistant Editor and a lead author for PokerPages.com. Having played poker since the age of 17, Justin spent more than a year earning a living on the green felt; a modest living, to be sure, but a living nonetheless. His aim was at one point to win the WSOP main event, thus causing Hell to freeze over. However, given his penchant for sin and his extreme dislike of cold weather, Justin has put that dream to rest.