Media Advisory - International Poker Stars get ready for the BC Poker<br>Championships at the River Rock Casino Resort Nov. 12-22, 2009

RICHMOND, BC, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - With the BC Poker Championships just a week away, international poker stars such as Maria Ho, Tiffany Michelle, Lacey Jones, Liz Lieu, Gavin Smith, Brad "Yukon" Booth and Greg 'FBT' Mueller are lining up to get their seat at a table.

In partnership with PlayNow.com, The River Rock Casino Resort will host the BC Poker Championships (BCPC) from Nov. 12th - 22nd with an estimated prize pool of $2.5 million and 1750 seats available.

Ho and Michelle are well recognized for their remarkable poker skills as Ho was the last woman standing in the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event and Michelle finished in 17th place in the Main Event of the 2008 World Series of Poker.

Lacey Jones, Liz Lieu, Gavin Smith and Brad Booth, return for the 5th Annual BC poker Championships in a bid to secure a title. These amazing poker stars are well recognized for their remarkable poker skills and numerous tournament wins. Smith won the WPT Mirage Poker Showdown Championship event in 2005 while Booth's live tournament winnings since 2008 exceed $710,000.

This year, a new player at the BCPC will be Greg 'FBT' Mueller. Mueller who is a retired professional hockey player has won two World Series of Poker bracelets and as of this year shows a record of $1,700,000 tournament winnings.

This year's events include:

    
    -   November 12th - 14th  - $550 No Limit Texas Hold'em
    -   November 15th         - $120 Super Satellite with Re-Buys
    -   November 16th - 17th  - $1,100 No Limit Texas Hold'em
    -   November 18th         - $120 Super Satellite with Re-Buys
    -   November 19th - 22nd  - Main Event $2,700 No Limit Texas Hold'em
    

Players must be 19 years or older to participate and can register by phone at 604-247-8983 or in person at the River Rock Casino Resort, 8811 River Road, Richmond.

For further information: For all media inquiries please contact: Sonja Mandic, Manager, Media and Responsible Gaming, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, [phone], [email protected]