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WPT Walk of Fame

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First there was the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then the Rock Walk of Fame. Now a new tribute had taken its place alongside those renowned celebrations of achievement: the WORLD POKER TOUR POKER WALK OF FAME at Commerce Casino in Commerce, CA.

The WPT POKER WALK OF FAME inducted its first members at the Commerce Casino in a ceremony before top pros and celebrities in town for the L.A. Poker Classic tournament. It honors the men and women who have played the game at its highest level; contributed to its evolution and popularity; celebrated poker in film, television and literature; and who are making the game appealing for a new generation of poker fan. The first honorees are:

	Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson A holder of nine world championship titles, Brunson, in his 70s, is one of the most respected players in the game. He authored "Super/System: How I Made Over $1,000,000 Playing Poker," a book which serves as the bible for aspiring pros and amateurs alike. For more than five decades Brunson has been a feared competitor and consummate gentleman, establishing the standard of excellence to which many aspired and few achieved. His latest achievement was appearing at the final table in last year's WPT Championship.    Gallery | Profile
	Gus "The Great Dane" Hansen The handsome young Danish-born Hansen is widely regarded to be the best poker player in the world. He burst onto the poker tour last year winning two major WPT tournaments and over $1 million in the WPT's inaugural year. Steely and hard-to-read, he is known for his unpredictable play and willingness to take huge risks. He represents the future of the game of poker.    Gallery
	James Garner - From 1957-60 Garner charmed the nation as the unflappable Brett Maverick, the skilled poker-player, who used his wits to get him out of scrapes-with the law and with outlaws. Cool, good-natured and likeable, he was one of television's first engaging Western heroes. Maverick became synonymous with poker and certainly helped to popularize the game.

The WPT POKER WALK OF FAME is embedded in the forecourt entrance to Commerce Casino. The inductees put their hands in concrete, surrounding a large depiction of a stylized poker chip. In addition, there for each there is a unique depiction of the player's most famous poker hand. The company responsible for the Mann's Chinese Theatre forecourt, Sabor Construction, also made the gold-embossed designations for the WPT POKER WALK OF FAME.

James Garner noted, laughing: "I never was invited to put my hands in concrete at Grauman's Chinese, but I made it in front of the Commerce Casino."

Remarked Steve Lipscomb, WPT founder and CEO, "The World Poker Tour is bringing millions of new fans to the game of poker. It is important that we-as a caretaker of the poker tradition--preserve the history of the game and pay tribute to those who are creating its new history. We need to recognize those players and individuals who are contributing to the game's storied past and insuring its continuity as The Great American card game. "

The WPT POKER WALK OF FAME is expected to become a significant new tourist destination. "With the huge resurgence of poker today by players and television viewers, we anticipate playing host to thousands of enthusiasts who want to venerate their favorite players and appreciate their achievements by strolling the World Poker Tour Poker Walk of Fame," commented Commerce Casino's Casino Manager Tim Gustin.

These pros and other great poker players can be seen on World Poker Tour, airing on Travel Channel, Wednesday nights at 9 pm ET/PT. Commerce Casino is located at 6131 East Telegraph Rd., Commerce, CA 90040, just off the Santa Ana (5) Freeway at the Washington Blvd. exit. The phone is (323) 721-2100.

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