MATTHEWS, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PokerTek, Inc. today announced that qualifying tournaments are underway for the fourth annual Carnival PokerPro Challenge. Players who qualify will win a seat in the final event held on Carnival’s newest ship, the 130,000 ton Carnival Dream, December 3-10, 2011 where they will compete for a $50,000 first place prize. Chris Moneymaker, renowned poker expert and winner of the 2003 WSOP Main Event, will play in the tournament for the second year in a row.
“The Carnival PokerPro Challenge has become so popular that we are bringing in additional PokerPro tables to expand the final event in December and accommodate more players. We’ve also significantly increased the guaranteed prize pool to $100,000” said Rodney Dofort, Senior Vice President of Casino Operations for Carnival Cruise Lines’ parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc. “We are delighted to have Chris Moneymaker return again in December, and feel that his presence further enhances this event and its appeal to our poker playing guests.”
Players can qualify to play in the Carnival PokerPro Challenge Grand Final event by winning a $150 buy-in satellite tournament that are already being offered aboard any of Carnival’s 22 "Fun Ships.” To book a satellite tournament cruise or purchase a seat directly into the Final Event contact Jeannie Zak at 1-800-819-3902 ext.85315, or your Travel Agent.
Qualifying rounds will also be played at participating land-based properties featuring PokerPro and other select venues. To see a list of participating locations, please visit: www.PokerTek.com/Carnival. Players who win in a qualifying tournament will win a $750 entry in the Grand Final event aboard the Carnival Dream sailing from Port Canaveral, FL December 3-10, 2011. In addition, players who win on Carnival ships will receive a cash prize or a cruise certificate.
During the week, a variety of cash games and additional tournaments will be scheduled, including the highly popular “Beat the Moneymaker” tournament, where players compete to be the first to knock out Chris Moneymaker for a cash bounty.
Cash games and Tournaments will be played on state-of-the-art PokerPro tables, the only poker tables available across Carnival’s fleet. The tables clearly and quickly display players' commitments and table stakes, pot amount and community cards. PokerPro tables offer mistake-free play, identify the winners at the end of each hand and immediately add the winnings to the player's table stakes.
Earlier this month, the third annual Carnival PokerPro Challenge tournament successfully concluded onboard the Carnival Destiny with 190 players competing for a share of the $75,000 prize pool. Ultimately, player Christian Hoffmeyer from Germany took home the first place prize of $35,000 and the event’s coveted bracelet. Players also competed in a variety of other tournaments and cash games throughout the week, including a “Beat the Moneymaker” tournament with a bounty on Chris Moneymaker.
About PokerTek:
PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEK) is a licensed gaming company headquartered in Matthews, NC that develops and distributes electronic table game solutions for the gaming industry. The company’s products are installed worldwide, and include PokerPro and Blackjack Pro. For more information, visit: www.PokerTek.com or contact Tracy Egan at 704.849.0860 x106.
About Carnival:
Carnival is "The World's Most Popular Cruise Line®," with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages of three to 16 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand. The line currently has two 130,000-ton ships scheduled for delivery - Carnival Magic, set to debut May 1, 2011, and the Carnival Breeze scheduled to enter service in spring 2012.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, the expected adoption of the PokerPro systems by gaming properties and other customers and the expected acceptance of the PokerPro systems by players. Our actual results may differ materially from those implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to, overall industry environment, customer acceptance of our products, delay in the introduction of new products, further approvals of regulatory authorities, adverse court rulings, production and/or quality control problems, the denial, suspension or revocation of permits or licenses by regulatory or governmental authorities, termination or non-renewal of customer contracts, competitive pressures and general economic conditions, and our financial condition. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in more detail in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, except as required by applicable laws, and you are urged to review and consider disclosures that we make in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that discuss other factors germane to our business.