WPT co-hosts charity event

LOS ANGELES, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- "Going All-in for the Cure," World Poker Tour® (WPT) has partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the leader of the global breast cancer movement, to host the fifth annual Ladies' Night tournament on August 18th & 19th at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles.

A player party will kick off the event at 1pm on August 18th, followed by "Poker and a Pedicure" where the ladies can try their hand at the new WPT® Texas Hold 'Em 2 by Hands-On Mobile while getting their feet pampered via complimentary pedicures. Shuffle up & deal starts both days at 3:15pm.

Each year, Ladies' Night brings together hundreds of local LA women, Hollywood celebrities, and poker's leading female professionals for a two-day, ladies-only WPT No Limit Texas Hold 'Em tournament that benefits breast cancer research. For the first time in Ladies' Night history, WPT is partnering with the Ladies Poker Association (LPA) making this year's event an official LPA Pro Tour stop. As a leader in the women's poker movement, the LPA serves to educate, promote, and protect female poker players and also hosts a ranking system which Ladies' Night players will qualify.

In addition to receiving the first place cash prize, the tournament winner will take the sixth seat in the Ladies' Night final table on August 31st where she will battle it out on the WPT stage, in front of WPT cameras, opposite famous female pros Mimi Tran, Linda Johnson, Kristy Gazes, Melissa Hayden, and the Ladies' Night IV Champion, Joanne "JJ" Lieu. The Ladies' Night final table champion receives a $25,000 seat in the biggest event on the poker circuit--WPT World Championship in April at Bellagio. The Ladies' Night final table will air on GSN in 2008.

WPT and Hands-On Mobile will each make a $5,000 donation to Komen for the Cure. Additionally, Bicycle Casino will donate 15 percent of each $1,000 buy-in and will collect donations at the Welcome Center throughout the entire WPT Legends of Poker event, August 25th - 30th. For those who cannot participate in the event, but wish to contribute to the cause, www.CharityBuzz.com is hosting an online auction from August 8th to August 23rd with net proceeds going to Komen. Visitors can bid on a variety of items, from 7 night stay at Le Sereno, St. Barths to a cast-autographed Desperate Housewives script to a poker lesson from WPT hosts Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten. Monetary donations can also be made at www.charitybuzz.com or directly to Komen at www.komen.org. Donations will support Komen's promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever by funding national breast cancer research and outreach programs.

"We really look forward to doing this event each year, as it benefits an organization that works tirelessly around the clock and around the globe to eradicate a disease that affects so many people," said Robyn Moder, Executive Vice President, WPT Studios. "Not only does Ladies' Night raise funds for such a great cause, but it raises important awareness and strength among the women who come and participate in the event. It's an important message to be sharing with the poker and general community alike."

Buy-in for the Ladies' Night V event is $970 plus a $30 entry fee. Registration for the event opens at noon at the Bicycle Casino August 18th, followed by a cocktail party for players and shuffle up & deal at 3:15pm. Players can also pre-register for the event by calling the Bicycle Casino at (562) 806-4646.

To watch the taping of WPT Ladies' Night V on August 31st, fans should arrive by 3:00 p.m. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. The Bicycle Casino is located at 7301 Eastern Avenue, Bell Gardens, CA.