OVER $1 MILLION IN PRIZE POOL MONEY EXPECTED FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF POKER TOURNAMENT SET TO BEGIN OCTOBER 20 AT
HOLLYWOOD PARK CASINO

Inglewood, CA (September 20, 2004) - Hollywood Park Casino's very own "fall classic," the National Championship of Poker, is set to commence on Wednesday, October 20 with twelve events and an estimated total prize pool of over $1,000,000.

Now in it's 8th year, the National Championship of Poker will be directed by the Bravo Channel's Celebrity Poker Showdown tournament director, Robert Thompson. Thompson promises that this year's tournament will be bigger and better than ever and to back it up, has made a few significant changes.

The most notable change to the tournament is that it will now feature all hold'em events. "There really isn't a huge demand right now for stud and Omaha tournaments. Nearly everyone wants to play hold'em, so that's what we're offering to players this year," said Thompson.

In another departure from the norm, the tournament buy-ins have been increased. Past tournaments had catered mostly to local players with buy-ins ranging from $100 - $300. This year, the first seven events will offer the familiar $100, $200 and $300 buy-ins, while the last five will include a pair of $500 and $1,000 buy-in events and a $2,000 buy-in event. The increased buy-ins will appeal to a broader range of tournament players, drawing from both the Los Angeles area as well as nationally.

The highlight of the tournament will be the $2,000 Phil Hellmuth Invitational No-Limit Hold'em event on Wednesday, October 27. The event will be hosted by Hellmuth, with dozens of celebrities and the world's best poker players expected to compete.

One of the top poker players in the world himself, Hellmuth is the youngest-ever winner of the World Series of Poker's (WSOP) main event, winning at the tender age of 24. He has a record nine WSOP bracelets and is among the all-time money leaders at the WSOP. Hellmuth will also have a special book signing for his new book, Bad Beats & Lucky Draws. The book signing will be held between 3:30 - 5:30 PM followed by the tournament at 7:15 PM.

Given the exploding popularity of poker, and the unbelievable turnout at this year's World Series of Poker, the prize pools for the National Championship of Poker could easily exceed $1,000,000.

Don't miss the action this October 20 - 31 at Hollywood Park Casino. Special room rates are available for tournament players by calling (310) 330-2800 x-2059. Daily satellites begin Tuesday, October 19 at 2:00 PM.

Located at the world famous Hollywood Park Racetrack, Hollywood Park Casino offers the most diverse range of gaming activities under one roof in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Gaming options include 100 tables of poker, blackjack, pai gow poker and Caribbean stud, nightly bingo in the 1000-seat Bingo Pavilion and live and simulcast thoroughbred wagering. Other casino amenities include table-side dining, a sports lounge, health club & massage center and banquet facilities.

For more information about Hollywood Park Casino, visit www.playhpc.com or call (800) 888-4972.