WSOP Circuit events to air on Versus

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- There is no bigger gaming competition globally than the high stakes action of World Series of Poker tournaments, and now, the World Series of Poker Circuit tour today announced that VERSUS will air several events beginning in June 2011, marking the first time the network will air poker tournament coverage.

Poker Productions, the television production arm for World Series of Poker Europe, High Stakes Poker and the National Heads Up Championship, will produce all the WSOP Circuit action airing on VERSUS.

"This is a big milestone for the industry," said WSOP Vice President Ty Stewart. "We're thrilled that one of the premier all-sports networks has recognized the brand power of the WSOP and decided to take the plunge into broadcasting our game."

"We are very excited to present coverage of the World Series of Poker Circuit tour to a national audience of more than 75 million U.S. homes," said Jeff Goldberg, Vice President of Programming for VERSUS. "The WSOP tour is one of the most successful in the business and we knew it was a great opportunity for our first venture into poker tournament coverage."

The telecasts will feature two hours of poker competition from select WSOP Circuit stops around the United States and culminate with the airing of the $1 million WSOP Circuit National Championship from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where the top 10 finishers will divvy up $1 million in prize money and the winner walks away with a coveted WSOP gold bracelet – the highest achievement in poker.

The WSOP Circuit tour, just starting its seventh season, is a series of individual poker tournaments featuring 13 different tour stops from mostly Harrah's properties around the country. Buy-ins range from $200 to $10,000, and players amass points for each recorded in-the-money finish they have. Those garnering the most points or winning or placing at the final table of select events, automatically qualify for the WSOP Circuit National Championship to be held May 27-29, 2011 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas – just days before the start of the 42nd annual World Series of Poker.

The 2010-2011 WSOP Circuit tour began on August 19, 2010 at Horseshoe Council Bluffs in Iowa and continues through May 22, 2011 at Harrah's New Orleans.

The entire schedule follows. VERSUS' schedule will be announced when information becomes available.