GAUTENG, South Africa - (January 20, 2012) – The high-stakes action of the World Series of Poker, the richest gaming event on the planet, returns to the Emerald Resort and Casino in South Africa February 21-26.
Hosting this year’s second annual World Series of Poker Africa will be none other than five-time WSOP champion, Scotty “The Prince” Nguyen.
A living poker legend, the 1998 World Series of Poker Main Event and 2008 WSOP $50K H.O.R.S.E. champion is a staunch advocate of the game. In addition to his success on the felt, his wit and charisma have made him one of the most recognized players both in poker and in mainstream culture.
“You know, the Prince has been all over the world baby, you name it: Australia, Asia, Europe, but this is my first time going to South Africa and I’m excited to come out and share this great game we love with the players there, to get to know them and to just have a good time baby,” said Nguyen about the upcoming event.
“Just make sure the people at the Emerald protect me from any lions and I promise you we’ll have a lot of fun baby!”
This is the second year that the Emerald, located 45 minutes from OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg, will host World Series of Poker Africa. The tournament series was added as part of the WSOP Circuit Events in 2011* and consisted of two official Ring Events. After a successful first run, this year’s series has been expanded to six official Ring Events.
WSOP Africa will kick off on February 21st with a $350 buy-in, No-Limit Hold’em Ring Event. The $3,300 buy-in Main Event gets underway February 24th. Also slated is the $10,400 buy-in high roller NLH Ring Event which begins Thursday, February 23.
The Emerald will also host daily non-ring No-Limit Hold’em tournaments and satellites throughout the six-day series. Click here to view the full schedule of events.
“There will be six WSOP tournament rings up for grabs over six days – making this the biggest and most prestigious poker tournament ever to be staged in South Africa,” says Emerald Resort and Casino CEO Martin Rice.
“The first WSOP Africa tournament, which was staged in October 2010, was a hugely popular event among players and fans alike, and we have little doubt that the festival of poker that will be WSOP Africa 2012, will be even more exciting!”
Brazilian poker pro Felipe Ramos was the winner of the $1,100 buy-in Pot-Limit Omaha Event in 2010 at WSOP Africa, taking home $36,786, while South African player Warren Zackey, who made a deep run in the 2009 WSOP Main Event, walked away with the inaugural WSOP Africa Main Event championship, earning $231,956.
World Series of Poker Director and Vice President of International Poker Operations, Jack Effel will be on hand at the Emerald throughout the duration of the tournament series to help ensure the highest quality poker experience for players possible.
“To see the World Series of Poker expand from the confines of Binion’s Horseshoe’s poker room in downtown Las Vegas to Europe and now the great continent of Africa is truly remarkable and something that I am proud to be a part of,” said Effel.
The Emerald is offering special WSOP room rates starting at 900 Rand per night (approx. $63 USD/night.) You can view all available accommodations and make reservations here.
Online registration for all 2012 WSOP Africa events is now open. Players can register here.
*WSOP Africa Ring Events are not counted in WSOP Circuit National Championship point standings.
About the WSOP
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world awarding millions of dollars in prize money and the prestigious gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport's top prize. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker's longest running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970. In 2011, the event attracted 75,672 entrants from 105 different countries to the Rio in Las Vegas and awarded over $192 million in prize money. For more information on the World Series of Poker, please visit www.WSOP.com.
Media Contacts:
Marli Wolmarans
Emerald Casino and Resort
+27 16 982 8063
marliw@emeraldcasino.co.za
Alan Fowler
WSOP/Caesars Interactive Entertainment
702.498.7532
afowler@caesars.com