Rivers Casino hosts Pittsburgh Poker Open

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Pittsburgh Poker Open (PPO) is back this month at Rivers Casino with $200,000 guaranteed in prize pools and multiple tournaments running 1—13 March. Local players will have a chance to play against some of the top talent from the national poker circuit, as well as see recognizable poker professionals who will be competing on the popular television series Poker Night in America.

The $60,000 Guaranteed Pittsburgh Hammer kicked off the series Wednesday, 1 March, and is one of several events leading up to the $100,000 Guaranteed Main Event that will be held 10—13 March. Poker Night will be on display during the Main Event, recording high-stakes cash games in the Poker Room.

Pittsburghers looking to compete against the top poker pros in the Pittsburgh Poker Open can join daily tournaments starting at noon and 7 p.m. in the Poker Room. For more information on the Pittsburgh Poker Open and the Pittsburgh Hammer, visit the website.

Poker Night in America returns to Rivers
Broadcast nationally on the CBS Sports Network, Poker Night in America returns to Rivers Casino 11—12 March. The show has recorded episodes at casinos across the country, and this is the show's fifth stop in Pittsburgh. Poker Night spotlights the game and its players, often introducing audiences to surprising insights about some of their beloved poker personalities.

Poker celebrities expected to attend include:

• Gavin Smith, one of the games' most colorful players, who has a World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet and a World Poker Tour title to his credit.
• Shaun Deeb is a two-time WSOP gold bracelet holder and a four-time winner of the World Championship of Online Poker.
• Jack Schanbacher is a hometown hero who has cashed in 13 WSOP events and who finished in 16th place in the 2016 PPO Main Event.
• Matt Glantz has earned more than $6 million in career winnings and six major tournament titles. Glantz is also a poker advisor to Rush Street Gaming, Rivers Casino's parent company.
• Alec Torelli is a high-stakes cash game specialist, who has also found tournament success, including earning a runner-up finish in a WSOP gold bracelet event.

"It's shaping up to be another exciting installment of the Pittsburgh Poker Open," said Craig Clark, general manager of Rivers Casino. "With Poker Night back in the 'Burgh, it's an electrifying energy in the Poker Room."

In addition to the PPO and Poker Night in America, Rivers Casino hosts a variety of poker tournaments and promotions each month. For a complete list of poker offerings, including the PPO schedule, visit the Rivers Casino website. To learn more about Poker Night in America, go to the Poker Night website.