The National Poker League and Caesars Palace Bring Poker to High Definition TV in June on INHD

The Vegas Open Will Kick Off the NPL's Inaugural Season June 2; $1,060 Buy-Ins Open the Door for a New Generation of TV Poker Stars

LAS VEGAS, NV -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/05/2006 -- The National Poker League (NPL) will kick off its inaugural season of poker in high definition with the Vegas Open 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.

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. Oliver Nejad and Scott Fischman have come aboard the Vegas Open to deliver fresh commentary and offer a new generation of solid poker advice. Viewers will get a truly inside view into two great poker minds. "We believe Oliver's and Scott's dramatically-different styles of poker playing will make for excellent commentary and great entertainment," said Gonzalez.

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 more information, please go to www.nplvegasopen.com.

Caesars Palace Poker Room

The poker room at Caesars Palace caters to the recreational poker player as well as the seasoned veteran of the game. The poker room features 30 tables, offering a vast array of games including Texas Hold'em, Seven-Card Stud and Omaha. Players entering the beautiful space will be greeted by 11 original LeRoy Neiman paintings that showcase 40 years of Caesars Palace history. More than 20 large-screen high-definition TV sets adorn the walls. An extensive menu and dedicated cocktail service allow players to have food and beverage delivered directly to the tables during play and massage therapists roam the floor providing neck-and-shoulder treatments. In addition to the remarkable 8,500 square-foot main poker room, Caesars Palace is one of the only casinos in Las Vegas to also offer an adjoining tournament area, providing an additional 6,000 square feet of playing space and 33 tournament tables.

News Added: 05 May, 2006

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