World Series of Poker Circuit
Set to Begin at Harrah’s Atlantic City
January 7-18, 2005

Las Vegas, Jan. 1, 2005 – The World Series of Poker will launch a new era when the legendary poker tournament moves east to the ocean shores of Atlantic City. The Harrah’s Atlantic City Poker Tournament will run January 7 through 18. The tournament will feature ten Texas hold’em events, all of which are open to the public. Tournaments are to be held each day starting at noon. All tournaments are two-day events, as final tables will be played on the second day.

The Harrah’s Atlantic City Poker Tournament kicks off with events on Day 1 and 2,, with buy-ins affordably set at $560. Next, two $1,070 buy-in events follow on Days 3 and 4. Next, the stakes go up again as buy-ins increase to $1580 on Days 5 and 6. Then, two $2,090 buy-in tournaments on Days 7 and 8 round out the preliminary events.

The Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship will be played on Day 9, to be held Saturday, January 10. The ladies’ event will start at 11 am and will be a one-day event. The buy in is $230. There will also be a number of super satellites played on this day, as players compete to win their way into the main event at a discounted price. Super satellites will be held daily at 4 pm and 8 pm. However, on January 10, Harrah’s will offer three super satellites, starting promptly at noon, 5 pm and 9 pm, respectively. Super satellites cost $225 to enter, with optional re-buys. Single-table satellites will run 24-hours a day for all events.

The main event starts Sunday, January 16 and runs over the next three days. The final table will be played on Tuesday, January 18, and will be taped for broadcast on ESPN.

All ten Atlantic City events are included as $2 million freeroll qualifiers. Following the 2005 World Series of Poker finals, to be played in Las Vegas, Harrah’s will invite the top 100 point-earners over the course of the WSOP tour to come play in a $2 million freeroll called the “Tournament of Champions.” One poker player will walk away winning $2 million.

“This circuit is going to set a new standard of excellence in poker,” said Ken Lambert, Harrah’s Director of Tournament Poker. “For the first 35 years, players had to travel to Las Vegas to play in the best tournament in the world. Now, we are taking the World Series directly to them. This way, even more players and fans of poker will have a chance to come and experience the excitement of the fastest-growing sport in America. It all starts in Atlantic City on January 7th.”

Johnny Grooms will serve as World Series of Poker Circuit Event Director. In addition to tournaments, the Harrah’s Atlantic City poker room will offer plenty of live action, with limits at all levels from low-limit poker to high-stakes action. For more information about the events call 1-800-303-7463, extension 5760 or 1-662-357-5543.

For room reservations call 1-800-242-7724.

MORE ABOUT HARRAHS -- The World Series of Poker Circuit, owned and operated exclusively by Harrah’s, will include six major tournaments, at Harrah’s Atlantic City, NJ; Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort (San Diego, CA); Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas, NV); Harrah’s Resort (Lake Tahoe, NV); and Harrah’s New Orleans, LA. The circuit’s grand finale will be the 36th annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.