Bodog and Full Tilt to stage 'mini' World Series of Poker events

Two popular poker rooms are making it possible for you to compete in a World Series of Poker-type of atmosphere without flying to Las Vegas.

Coinciding with the start of the 2008 WSOP on Friday in Las Vegas, Bodog and Full Tilt Poker are both offering Mini-SOPs, mimicking the schedule of the real World Series by offering the same events (with lower buy-ins) each day online.

The Bodog Poker Mini-SOP runs from May 30-July 3, with each tournament held on the same date as its counterpart in Las Vegas, but with buy-ins equal to just one percent of the actual buy-in of the WSOP Event.

Bodog will be running a Tournament Leader Board throughout the series that will be used to determine who will compete in a final 27-player tournament held on July 10 where the top three finishers will each be awarded a $12,000 prize package to the 2009 WSOP Main Event. Places four through nine will receive $109 to buy into online poker tournaments in the Bodog Poker room.

"We're happy to offer those not able to attend the 2008 WSOP in person an affordable and exciting online alternative," says Alwyn Morris, CEO of the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group, which runs Bodog in North America. "For only one percent of the standard WSOP Main Event buy-in cost, Bodog online poker players can have a shot at the Mini-SOP crown and three $12,000 prize packages including entry into the 2009 WSOP Main Event."

Players can earn a spot at the Mini-SOP Final on July 10 in several ways. The top four players on the TLB automatically qualify, while places five through 100 on the TLB will compete for one of 18 seats awarded in a semifinal qualifier held two days before the final. The remaining five seats to the final will be picked from a random "wild card" drawing of players who have entered at least three Mini-SOP events.

Meanwhile at Full Tilt, more than $700,000 in guaranteed prize money will be spread over more than 50 events, beginning with Friday's $100+$9 Pot Limit Hold'em Tournament that carries a guaranteed prize pool of $20,000. While most of the event in Full Tilt's MSOP will feature buy-ins from anywhere to $10 to $500, there will also be satellites starting for as little as $2 + $.25 or 50 Full Tilt Points.

The player who accumulates the most money during the MSOP will earn a $10,000 seat at the 2009 Main Event in Las Vegas. Also, each event winner will be rewarded with a limited edition Full Tilt Poker Champion's Watch in addition to their first-place prize money.