NEWS: Harrah's to create its own circuit to compete with WPT

[riverflush]

This just rolled across my screen:

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Harrah's to create its own World Series of Poker Circuit...with points system...to go heads up with WPT...developing...

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http://bigslicknews.com/

[cowpie]

Crap. I'll never get to play poker on the Internet if I have to watch TV all day long. Damn Harrahs. Damn Travel Channel. Damn FOX. Rott in hell you bastards.

[cowpie]

"Harrah's to create its own World Series of Poker Circuit...with points system...to go heads up with WPT. Seven events would take place at its various properties around the U.S and be taped for television. Players' performances in the seven events would qualify them for the season-ending Tournament of Champions...

Events to be held in Las Vegas, San Diego, New Orleans, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City...

Will air on ESPN for 2005....confirmed...

Developing... "

[danstjohn]

San Diego, cool thats where I live. I will be interested in seeing where they are going to be holding the tournament since there are only a few doable locations in the area.

I'll be definetely entering some of the sat's and probably play one or two smaller buy ins. Sounds like lots of fun.

[KanigawaCards7]

Willing to bet anyone 5 dollars in poker account money that john murphy wins the harrahs event in san diego

[Sundevils21]

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Willing to bet anyone 5 dollars in poker account money that john murphy wins the harrahs event in san diego

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okay its a bet. my name is the same on here as it is at party. $5 right?

[tylerdurden]

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Events to be held in Las Vegas, San Diego, New Orleans, Lake Tahoe, and Atlantic City...

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I guess the Jack Binion Open at the Horseshoe Tunica already has a contract locking it in with the WPT. Well, it's also partially hosted by the Goldstrike, which Harrah's doesn't control. Still, seems like they might try to put an event in at the Tunica Grand after the merger with Ceasar's goes through.

[billyjex]

Nice.. I live a couple of hours from Lake Tahoe and would like to see some live action tourneys..

[riverflush]

2005 is going to be a fun year for poker! I'm all for these events. This is a great move to expand the WSOP "brand" - though I'm sure we'll hear talk of "selling out" and such.

After WPT signed the 5 year extension on its deals with its casinos, this move was guaranteed to happen. ESPN wants a regular show - Harrahs has the brand name = juggernaut to go up against WPT. We're gonna have LOTS of poker entertainment through 2010!

[cowpie]

"The WPT is the NBA.", Steve Limpscomb said ( http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB35CM7DZD.html ). According to my sources, a Harrahs exec said "Well, the WSOPC is the WNBA."