Harrah's, ESPN Set to Crown Poker's Top Player

LAS VEGAS – (PRESS RELEASE) -- They're 10 of the most feared, respected and famed poker pros in the world.

But only one can claim the title of World's Best.

On September 2, 10 poker legends -- Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, T.J. Cloutier, Annie Duke, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Howard Lederer, Daniel Negreanu, Greg Raymer and Chip Reese -- gathered at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Shuttered away in a private room, they squared off in the 1st annual World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions.

After playing long into the night, one player emerged to capture The Harrah's Trophy and the $2 million winner-take-all prize provided by Harrah's and ESPN.

A nearly three-hour telecast of the Tournament of Champions will air Tuesday, September 21, starting at 8:10 p.m. Eastern (5:10 p.m. Pacific) on ESPN.

"Never before has the world seen this caliber of players face off in a single-table event," said Ginny Shanks, senior vice president of acquisition marketing for Harrah's Entertainment. "Tuesday night, America will witness a poker game for the ages, and learn who can claim to be the best poker player in the world."

Participants in the 2004 World Series of Poker were asked to name the top no-limit Texas hold 'em players in the world. The top vote-getters qualified for this year's Tournament of Champions. Raymer, as champion of the 2004 World Series of Poker's $10,000 buy-in no-limit finale, qualified automatically.

Founded 66 years ago, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: HET) owns or manages 28 casinos in the United States, primarily under the Harrah's brand name. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its valued customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.