NEWS JUST HOT OFF THE PRESS - POKERMILLION RETURNS

We are delighted to announce that Poker Million is back in an exciting new format and will be happening this December in London.

The event is a joint venture between Matchroom Sport and Ladbrokes.com, and this time it will be a specific made-for-TV tournament called 'Poker Million - the Masters'.

Taking place over the 18th, 19th and 20th December in a TV studio in London, the Masters will feature thirty six players playing 'Texas Hold 'Em' in tables of six, with each table winner moving forward to the final.

The field will be invitation only and will be made up of the first twenty eight to confirm their acceptance. The remainder of the field will comprise six celebrity entrants and two winners from on-line poker tournaments. The entry fee will be set at US$10,000, making a prize-fund of US$360,000, with US$150,000 going to the winner.

The initial stage of six tables of six players will play down until there is one player left from each table. Each round will be televised, to be broadcast as 6 x two hour programmes. The final six players then return to the TV studios on 16th March 2003 to play the final table - live on Sky Sports and broadcast around the world.

All players will be accommodated for four nights at one of London's top hotels, the Hilton Metropole and transfers to and from the TV studios are included. The hotel stay is compliments of Poker Million.

For the six finalists, return flights as well as three nights accommodation at the Metropole will be complimentary when they return for the final table in March.

The Event

• 36 players will play at six tables, each comprised of six players. The winner of each table will advance to the final table in March.

• Each of the six tables will be played in a single session in a TV studio. The sessions will run from 12 noon to 4.00pm and 6.00pm to 10.00 pm on each of the three days, making six sessions of televised 'Texas Hold 'Em' poker.

• Each table will be filmed by Sky Sports and subsequently broadcast as a two hour show. All competitors will be allowed a maximum of two 3" x 2" sponsors logos on their clothing, in compliance with current ITC regulations.

• The entry fee is US$10,000 with a total prize fund of US$360,000. This will be broken down as follows:
  1. $150,000
  2. $70,000
  3. $50,000
  4. $40,000
  5. $30,000
  6. $20,000

• Players who qualify for the final table will receive an advance of prize-money of $20,000 at the conclusion of each initial round.

• Each player in the preliminary as well as final tables will start with $100,000 in chips and each level of play will last for 30 minutes.

• The Blinds will be implemented on the following basis:
  1. Level $1,000 / $2,000
  2. Level $2,000 / $4,000
  3. Level $3,000 / $6,000

  10 minute break

  1. Level $5,000 / $10,000
  2. Level $10,000 / $20,000
  3. Level $15,000 / $30,000
  4. Level $20,000 / $40,000

The Itinerary

Tuesday 17th December

Players register at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, London and check in. The maximum stay is four nights on a bed and breakfast basis. In the evening there is a cocktail party, attended by players and officials followed by draw for tables.

Wednesday 18th - Friday 20th

Play commences at the television studios in West London. Players will be transported to and from the studio. With six tables, there are six sessions of play at 12 noon and 6.00pm on each of the three days

Saturday 15th March

The six finalists are flown economy / coach class from their home town to London, where they will check into the Hilton Metropole on a bed and breakfast basis for a maximum of three nights. Flights, transfer and accommodation are compliments of Poker Million.

Saturday 15th March

The six finalists will be transported to the TV studios for the final table of Poker Million - the Masters. Play will take place in the evening and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

You can e-mail me with any thoughts, views, or general information at kevin@pokerpages.com