WPT World Poker Challenge Reno

World Poker Tour stop at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada

Reno, NV March 25, 2008 – I am in Reno for the WPT event at the Grand Sierra Resort. As usual I'm to busy to write much about the event while it's going on, however I do like to provide you with links where you can find as much insight and information as possible. I will post additional links as I run across them so check back each day. The final table is on Friday the 28th at 5pm here. I will be announcing and supervising (along with Brooks Turk) the televised final table which is open to the public. If you'd like to see the event live and purhaps catch yourself on TV in the audience come on down to the Grand Sierra and join the fun.

Live Updates:

• WPT Live Updates (worldpokertour.com)


• World Poker Challenge - Live Updates (PokerListings)

Related Articles / Links:

• Day 1 at the World Poker Challenge (Matthew Showell, PokerListings.com)


• Day 2 at the 2008 World Poker Challenge (Matthew Showell, PokerListings.com


• Final Table Set at WPT World Poker Challenge (Matthew Showell, PokerListings.com

Player's Blogs:

• David Williams - At least it was quick..


• Bryan Devonshire


• DocFreeze

http://blog.billbruce.info

STATS LLC and World Poker Tour® Partner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATS LLC and World Poker Tour® Partner to Offer Poker Industry’s First Ever Sports-Style Breakdowns and Analyses

Analysis and Stats of Every WPT Final Hand Played Will Be Featured on WorldPokertour.com, Allowing Fans to Study the Game Like Never Before

Los Angeles and Northbrook, IL – January 22, 2008 – STATS LLC, the world’s leading sports information provider, and WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WPTE), the leader in worldwide poker entertainment, announced today a partnership to deliver the first ever in-depth analyses and strategic breakdowns for the poker industry.

STATS—which provides data collection and analysis for 85 sports leagues and more than 55,000 events per year, including Major League Baseball, National Football League, and National Basketball Association—will deliver stats and information from every past and present World Poker Tour® (WPT) final table. WPT STATS data results are now available in the WPT player database exclusively on www.worldpokertour.com with new updates following each tournament, allowing poker fans and players to study intricacies of the game in ways never available before.

STATS will compile the aggregate actions of each final table hand in the company’s proprietary databases featuring over 100 tournaments in World Poker Tour history, as well as all tournaments going forward. STATS’ information will detail “playing style” along with situational analysis, breakdowns and trends for a more complete portrait of each World Poker Tour star. Examples include how often a player plays a pot; how often they take a hand to “showdown”; and the average bet size relative to the pot by player.

“This is an incredibly exciting move for us, as it will really change the way the game is studied and played,” said Ken Graiwer, Vice President of WPT Interactive. “This partnership with STATS will really bring poker information up to the level of sports analytics, giving fans and players a whole new perspective on the game. Before, you could watch the show to see how players play and speculate on why—NOW you can actually access statistical information on why they played a certain way and the success of their particular methods. Players can study each other and themselves.”

“We’re excited to partner with the World Poker Tour and unveil new insights for one of the world’s most popular games,” said Steve Byrd, Executive Vice President at STATS. “STATS enjoys a proven history of providing an alternative way for both fans and media alike to view and understand sports. We strongly believe this type of analyses will make the game more enjoyable for the growing legion of World Poker Tour fans.”

In 2003, WPT revolutionized televised poker and brought Texas Hold'em, the “Cadillac of Poker,” to the forefront of international excitement. WPT has turned poker into a sporting event that draws the young and old, men and women and people of all nationalities into the game; it has reshaped the face of poker and has raised the competitive bar to a new level. Now in it’s sixth season, WPT has made over 100 tour stops around the globe, has been licensed for broadcast in over 150 countries and territories, has awarded over $300 million dollars in prize money, created over 80 WPT Poker-Made Millionaires™ and recently announced a partnership with the Chinese Leisure Sports Administration Center to build the first ever National Traktor Poker Championship in China.

Contact: Nick Stamm
STATS, Inc.
847-583-2110
stamm@stats.com

Lyndsay LaGree
World Poker Tour
323-330-9876 (o)
llagree@worldpokertour.com

About STATS LLC
With more than 25 years experience in mission critical sports data collection, processing and distribution - STATS is the world's leading sports information, content and statistical analysis company. STATS offers a world-wide portfolio of sports information solutions - including the company’s hallmark of real-time scores, historical sports information and turnkey fantasy sports operation along with AP editorial content, breaking sports news and photos. STATS’ innovative sports information solutions are utilized in numerous business segments: professional teams; sports broadcast production, cable and satellite networks; interactive television; broadband, wireless and internet; game developers and fantasy sports providers; print media and wire services. STATS has offices in Bangalore, Barcelona, Beijing, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Milan, Mumbai, Münster, New York, The Hague and Tokyo.www.stats.com

About WPT Enterprises, Inc.
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour®, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that airs on the Travel Channel in the United States and is scheduled to begin broadcasting on GSN in early 2008. WPTE is licensed for broadcast globally. WPTE also offers real-money online gaming on its website, www.worldpokertour.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and certain other restricted territories. WPTE currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. WPTE is a majority-owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: LACO). Photos and media information can be found online at: www.worldpokertour.com

http://blog.billbruce.info

World Poker Tour Announces Official Season VI Line-Up

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE - News) today announced its official tournament schedule for Season VI of its highly popular TV show, the World Poker Tour® (WPT). The schedule includes 19 regular-season WPT tour stops and the annual ladies-only event, Ladies Night V. Several "WPT specials"--or themed invitation events--will be announced at a later date.
WPT introduced several new stops and venues, including new tournaments in the Caribbean's Turks & Caicos Islands, Casino Barcelona in Spain, and Mississippi's prestigious Beau Rivage, a sister property to the Gold Strike Casino and part of the MGM family. Additionally, WPT created additional tournament stops at several existing WPT member casinos.

"It's important to continue delivering fresh and exciting experiences for our players and fans on both the tournament and television level," said Steve Lipscomb, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of the WPT. "By adding WPT stops in beautiful locations around the world coupled with our move to a gaming-dedicated network like GSN, season six is poised to be the best year yet."

Also filming established WPT tour stops held in the world's most beautiful casinos, WPT will return to Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Commerce Casino, The Bicycle Casino, Gold Strike Casino and Resort, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Bay 101, and Niagara Fallsview Resort Casino. The full Season VI tournament schedule is below.

WPT Season Six Schedule

The Mirage Poker Showdown
The Mirage, Las Vegas, NV
May 19 – 23, 2007: Final Table: May 23

Mandalay Bay Poker Championship
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV
May 29 – June 2, 2007: Final Table: June 2

Bellagio Cup III
Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV
July 10 -15, 2007: Final Table: July 15

Legends of Poker
The Bicycle Casino, Los Angeles, CA
August 25 – 30, 2007: Final Table: August 30

WPT Ladies Night V
The Bicycle Casino, Los Angeles, CA
August 18, 2007: Final Table: August 31

Gulf Coast Poker Championship
Beau Rivage, Biloxi, MS
September 6 – 9, 2007: Final Table: September 9

Borgata Poker Open
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, Atlantic City, NJ
September 16 – 20, 2007: Final Table: September 20

Turks & Caicos Poker Classic
The Players' Club, Club Med, Turks & Caicos
September 25 – 30, 2007: Final Table: September 30

WPT Spanish Championship
Casino Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
October 12 – 16, 2007, Final Table Oct. 16

North American Poker Championship
Niagara Fallsview Resort Casino, Niagara Falls, Canada
October 26 – Nov 2, 2007: Final Table: November 2

World Poker Finals
Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT
November 8 – 13, 2007: Final Table: November 13

Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic
Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV
December 13 – 18, 2007: Final Table: December 18

World Poker Open
Gold Strike, Tunica, MS
January 20 - 23, 2008: Final Table: January 23

Borgata Poker Classic
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, Atlantic City, NJ
January 26 – 30, 2008: Final Table: January 30

L.A. Poker Classic
Commerce Casino, Los Angeles, CA
February 23 – 28, 2008: Final Table: February 28

WPT Celebrity Invitational
Commerce Casino, Los Angeles, CA
March 1 – 3, 2008: Final Table: March 3

Bay 101 Shooting Star
Bay 101, San Jose, CA
March 10 – 14, 2008: Final Table: March 14

World Poker Challenge
Grand Sierra Resort Casino, Reno, NV
March 25 – 28, 2008: Final Table: March 28

Foxwoods Poker Classic
Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, CT
April 4 – 9, 2008: Final Table: April 9

WPT World Championship
Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV
April 19 – 25, 2008: Final Table: April 25

World Poker Tour Signs New Broadcast Rights Agreement With GSN

WPT Season VI will air on GSN in North America in early 2008

LOS ANGELES, April 5, 2007 – Bringing together the leaders in casino gaming and poker entertainment, WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WPTE) and GSN, the premier cable network for interactive game programming, announced today an agreement to air Season VI of the World Poker Tour® (WPT). As part of the deal, GSN will broadcast 23 individual WPT Season VI poker events in two-hour episodes filmed in casinos and card rooms around the world. WPT will begin taping its new season in May 2007 which will debut in early 2008 as part of GSN’s Monday night casino lineup where the network has built a substantial following in the casino game genre.

The collaboration delivers an unprecedented platform for the best poker programming, providing poker fans with a dedicated casino gaming network that will air all-new action from Season VI WPT, as well as other exciting gaming programs, including the GSN’s cutting-edge cash game, High Stakes Poker (HSP).

“As we continue to expand the WPT brand and set new limits for poker programming, the move to GSN is the perfect next step for us,” said Steve Lipscomb, Founder, President and CEO of WPTE. “By moving to a network that is already dedicated to delivering innovative gaming and poker entertainment, we will be able to take WPT where we’ve not yet been able to go. After hitting a major television milestone with our fifth anniversary, we look forward to celebrating many more landmarks as we grow our partnership with GSN.”

“We are thrilled to be able to bring the World Poker Tour to GSN,” said Rich Cronin, President and CEO of GSN. “The WPT launched a global poker phenomenon. It not only increased poker rooms and activity in casinos, but it brought the great game of poker to living rooms around the world. In a short period of time, Steve Lipscomb and his team have built the WPT brand into a flagship entertainment entity recognized worldwide. By adding WPT to our existing lineup of compelling gaming entertainment, GSN will be at the head of the poker table.”

The WPT created a global phenomenon by making poker a televised spectator sport. Many poker programs have come and gone since the WPT began five years ago, but WPT remains the leader in poker entertainment. To date, the WPT has awarded over $300 million in cash prizes, crowned 69 WPT Poker-Made Millionaires™ and will tape its 100th episode this month. The WPT will air its fifth anniversary season on the Travel Channel, Wednesday nights at 9pm ET/PT. For more information or for a Season VI WPT schedule, please visit www.worldpokertour.com.

GSN began its foray into casino programming in 2004 with the World Series of Blackjack (WSOB). Still going strong today, WSOB’s fourth season premieres Monday, June 4. And, High Stakes Poker is GSN’s number-one rated original program in all key adult and male 18-49 and 25-54 demos.

For further media information: Visit GSN's corporate website at http://corp.GSN.com

Lyndsay LaGree/WPT PR
323 547 5827
llagree@worldpokertour.com

Cindy Ronzoni/GSN PR
310 255 6933
Cronzoni@gsn.com

About WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour®, a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that airs on the Travel Channel in the United States and in more than 150 markets globally. With the WPT in its fifth season, WPTE has launched a second series on the Travel Channel, the Professional Poker Tour™, which focuses on the play of poker’s leading stars. WPT also operates a real-money online gaming website, www.wptonline.com, which prohibits wagers from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. WPTE currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. WPTE is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: LACO). Photos and media information can be found online at: www.worldpokertour.com/media

About GSN
GSN is the entertainment industry leader in multi-platform interactive game programs. As the premier television network for games, GSN features challenging word games, high intensity casino programs, live participation shows, reality series and documentaries. GSN’s programming includes original series such as “Chain Reaction,” “Lingo” and “High Stakes Poker,” as well as the classics “Jeopardy” and “Pyramid,” among others. The network also introduced participation TV to America and its “PlayMania” block airs in late-night six nights per week. Complementing the network, GSN.com features all types of game play: innovative Flash games for fun, skill cash game tournaments and downloadable games. The website also features GSN’s two-screen interactive play-along for prime time shows. Now reaching more than 63 million homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN’s press website at corp.gsn.com.

Source: GSN Press Release

World Poker Tour Has New Home On GSN

According to information obtained from an SEC filing today, Aptil 5th, 2007, The Travel Channel did not exercise it's option for the sixth season of the World Poker Tour television series. This allowed GSN to step in and obtain the license for the twenty-three (23) episodes of season six, with exclusive options for the seventh and eight seasons of the show.

The agreement provides for a $300,000, per episode, licensing fee by GSN to World Poker Tour Enterprises, INC (WPTE).

The Travel Channel had been the home of The World Poker Tour since it first aired in 2003.

GSN, for thier part, continues thier committment to poker. Other poker related programming by the network includes the Poker Royale series and High Stakes Poker.

Poker Players Move for Summary Judgment Against The World Poker Tour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Players Argue That WPTE’s Illegal Agreements Constitute “Per Se” and “Quick Look” Violations of the Antitrust Laws

Los Angeles, March 14, 2007 – Today, seven of the world’s leading professional poker players filed a motion for summary judgment against WPT Enterprises, Inc. (“WPTE”) in federal district court in Los Angeles. In their motion for summary judgment, Plaintiffs Chris Ferguson, Andrew Bloch, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon, Joseph Hachem, Howard Lederer, and Greg Raymer have presented undisputed facts which establish that WPTE, which owns the World Poker Tour (“WPT”), has committed multiple violations of federal antitrust laws.

Specifically, the Plaintiffs seek a summary declaration by the Court that WPTE and the casinos which host WPT events have unlawfully conspired to force poker players to sign non-negotiable “releases” that require those players to grant WPTE the right to use their valuable names, likenesses, voices and images for zero compensation so that WPTE can exploit these rights to promote its own products and services. The Plaintiffs contend that the undisputed facts establish that WPTE and the casinos have agreed to boycott and exclude from WPT events any poker player who does not sign such a “release.” The Plaintiffs have also offered undisputed evidence that WPTE and the casinos are conspiring to restrict the number of poker tournaments in competition with the WPT by agreeing that the casinos cannot sponsor any televised non-WPT events. The Plaintiffs contend that these agreements constitute “per se” or “quick look” violations of federal antitrust laws. The “per se” and “quick look” tests apply to conduct which is so inherently anticompetitive that a court may summarily decide that such conduct violates U.S. antitrust laws without the need for full discovery or a trial.

If the motion is granted, WPTE will be permanently enjoined from: (1) agreeing with the casinos to require the Plaintiffs and other poker players to sign releases granting WPTE the right to use those players’ intellectual property rights to promote WPTE products and services; (2) using the grant of Plaintiffs’ intellectual property rights obtained from past releases; and (3) prohibiting casinos from sponsoring non-WPT poker tournaments.

Jeffrey Kessler, lead counsel for the poker players, stated: “If the players prevail in this summary judgment motion, WPTE’s unlawful agreements will come to a quick end without the need for further discovery or a trial. All poker players would then be able to compete in WPT tournaments without being forced to give up their valuable intellectual property rights for no compensation and the casinos would be free to sponsor competing televised poker tournaments of their own.”

A copy of the public version of Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment will be available at http://www.wptlawsuit.com/.
Plaintiffs are represented by the law firm of Dewey Ballantine LLP, whose attorneys have successfully represented NFL, NBA, and other players in similar antitrust lawsuits.

CONTACT:
Jeffrey Kessler (212) 259-8050, jkessler@deweyballantine.com
Alexander Kayne (212) 259-6915, akayne@ deweyballantine.com

###
About Dewey Ballantine LLP Dewey Ballantine LLP, founded in 1909, is an international law firm with more than 550 attorneys and locations in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, East Palo Alto, Austin, London, Warsaw, Frankfurt, Milan, Beijing, and Rome. Through its network of offices, the firm handles some of the largest and most complex legal matters in the world.

Players File Suit Against WPT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seven Top Poker Players File Antitrust Lawsuit Against The World Poker Tour

Players Sue to Enjoin WPTE’s Illegal Business Practices and Seek Damages for WPTE’s Wrongful Conduct

Las Vegas, July 19, 2006 -- Today, seven of the world’s top poker players filed an antitrust Complaint against WPT Enterprises, Inc. (“WPTE”) in federal district court in Los Angeles. By this lawsuit, Plaintiffs Chris Ferguson, Andrew Bloch, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon, Joseph Hachem, Howard Lederer, and Greg Raymer seek to enjoin – and seek treble and punitive damages for – WPTE’s continuing violations of federal and state antitrust laws.

WPTE operates the World Poker Tour (“WPT”), a series of televised, high stakes poker tournaments that are run by various casinos located throughout the United States and in parts of Canada and Europe.

The Complaint alleges that WPTE and the casinos have unlawfully conspired to eliminate competition for the services and intellectual property rights of top, high stakes professional poker players. In particular, the Complaint alleges that the casinos have agreed with WPTE that they will not host any non-WPT televised poker tournaments. The Complaint also alleges that WPTE and the casinos have conspired to fix the price and other terms and conditions under which Plaintiffs and other professional poker players are forced to give up their valuable services and intellectual property rights in order to participate in WPT tournaments.

Plaintiff Chris Ferguson stated as follows: “WPTE has stacked the deck against all poker players who wish to compete in its tournaments. They are using our names and images to sell their products without our prior consent and without any compensation. We cannot let these wrongful actions stand. We will prosecute this lawsuit for as long as it takes to change WPTE’s unlawful ways.”

Plaintiff Annie Duke stated that: “We are bringing this action to change the way WPTE treats players. Our goal is not just to win for ourselves, but to set a precedent so that all players can be dealt a fair hand.”

Plaintiffs are represented by the law firm of Dewey Ballantine LLP, whose lead counsel, Jeffrey Kessler, has successfully represented NFL, NBA, and other players in similar antitrust suits. Mr. Kessler stated the following: “It is now well established that the antitrust laws protect professional athletes and other players when agreements are entered into that restrain competition for their services. This is as true for the business of professional poker tournaments as it is for professional football, basketball, and other sports. Professional poker players are entitled to a free market for their services, which will also benefit consumers since the result will be more and higher quality poker tournaments.”

Plaintiff Greg Raymer stated that: “Our success in this lawsuit will benefit all current and future poker players. I am proud to be part of it.”

Plaintiffs are seven of the most widely recognized and successful professional poker players in the world. Plaintiffs Howard Lederer and Phil Gordon, for example, are two poker superstars who have won three WPT tournaments between them. Plaintiff Chris Ferguson, perhaps the most widely recognized poker player in the world, and Plaintiffs Joseph Hachem and Greg Raymer, have each won the World Series of Poker (“WSOP”) Main Event. Plaintiff Annie Duke has also won a WSOP event, and is regarded as the best and most accomplished female professional poker player in the history of poker. Plaintiff Andrew Bloch has two WPT “Final Table” appearances.

CONTACT:
Jeffrey Kessler (212) 259-8050, jkessler@dbllp.com
David Feher (212) 259-8070, dfeher@dbllp.com

About Dewey Ballantine LLP

Dewey Ballantine LLP, founded in 1909, is an international law firm with more than 550 attorneys and locations in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, East Palo Alto, Houston, Austin, London, Warsaw, Frankfurt, Milan, Beijing, and Rome. Through its network of offices, the firm handles some of the largest, most complex corporate transactions, litigation and tax matters.