Morongo Casino, Hosts Fox TV 'Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament'

Among those anteing up are poker legend Doyle Brunson, 2003 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Champion Chris Moneymaker, two-time WSOP Champion Johnny Chan and numerous other WSOP bracelet winners. Starting with a specal two-hour premiere on March 13, 2005, the series will air weekly on Sundays at 8:00 p.m. for 34 episodes, culminating in the final hand being dealt during a two-hour on Oct. 30, 2005.

In order to qualify for the invitation-only tournament, players must have a history of successful cash game play for at least 10 years or been involved in a string of final tables at major poker tournaments in the last three years. These top players will compete in a five-day, $40,000-buy-in, no limit, Hold'em tournament, beginning at 10:00 AM PST on Thursday, December 2.

The field will be narrowed down to sixteen after three days of competition and eight after the fourth day. On the fifth day, the eight quarter finalists will compete in two groups of four and the winners along with the runner ups from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The semi-final will be two head-to-head matches with a best two-out-of-three format to determine the finalists. The two finalists will again engage in a heads-up match with best two-out-of-three winner capturing the championship of the Poker Superstars Invitational II.

The tournament will be held under the direction of Mori Eskandani and Eric Drache.

"We're privileged to bring the best poker players in the world to take part in and celebrate the grand opening of the new Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa. Poker Superstars Invita tional II is a continuation of our successful major championship poker on FSN," said Eskandani.

"Being selected as the site of FSN's second annual championship poker tournament is a tremendous opportunity to host some of the world's best players at the new Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, the premier, high-stakes gaming and entertainment resort on the west coast," said Bill Davis, general manager of the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa.

"Viewers will be treated to the highest level of poker playing, and world-class poker players will be among the first to enjoy this fabulous property, including one of the largest casino floors outside of Las Vegas and a sequestered 14-table poker room."

Located on 44 acres of beautiful desert landscape, the $250 million Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa is California's grandest Indian-owned resort destination, and will open in December 2004. Offering visitors a cool respite from the high desert, the resort combines the heat of high-stakes gaming, Las Vegas nightlife and five-star dining with the ultimate in relaxation in four-star caliber hotel accommodations, a luxury spa and oasis-inspired pool area.

The casino resort is located 90 minutes west of Los Angeles and 20 minutes east of Palm Springs off the I-10 freeway, close to the Cabazon Desert Hills Outlets and Hadley Fruit Orchards. For hotel reservations, call toll-free at (888) MORONGO or visit http://www.morongocasinoresort.com. For groups of 10 rooms or more, ask for the sales director.

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