SkyCity poker tournament set to offer $1m pot

SkyCity Entertainment Group is looking to the world’s most glamorous card game to bring more punters to its Auckland casino.

The NZX-listed casino and entertainment company is hosting the inaugural Skycity Festival of Poker next month, which will aim to offer a $1 million prize pool – the largest ever in New Zealand.

Hundreds of players are expected to enter over the tournament period, which runs from October 4 to October 12.

A bevy of global poker stars are attending, including Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer, Lee Nelson, Eric Assadourian and Emad Tahtouh.



Casinos and pub poker leagues around the country are holding satellite tournaments for entry into the tournament. Skycity has set up a website for people who are interested in playing: www.festivalofpoker.co.nz.

SkyCity has been looking for ways to turn around the performance of the Auckland casino, its biggest property, which has turned in lacklustre performances in recent years.

Specific promotions have worked well, including the casino’s 08/08/08 promotion on August 8 – an auspicious date according to Chinese numerology – causing the busiest gaming day at the Auckland casino in four years.

National Business Review

News Added: 10 September, 2008

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