Four TV events are planned per year. In the league will only take full professionals. In so doing, an effective counterpoint to the open events of major international tournament series.
The professional league is a closed society. Can only play who is invited.
Besides the four major events to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, an additional $ 1 million held Championship Freeroll.
“This project is fully tailored to professionals,” Duke told the Associated Press. “It’s exactly the format that is currently lacking in the poker world. Here are the best in the world compete against the best in the world.”
Due to the growing worldwide popularity of poker are now occupied high-profile final tables at events like the WSOP or EPT for the absolute exception. A Phil Ivey WSOP Main Event or a Daniel Negreanu EPT Vienna are rare strokes of luck.
Duke stated its hope that the league will show what it really means to be a professional poker player. About 200 players will receive invitations. They are selected using a mathematical formula, accounting for the placings in major events, victory and success in the recent past. Cash games and online poker are not included.
Created the league was heard by a private company called Federated Sports & Gaming Inc., whose founders include former WSOP spokesman Jeffrey Pollack, who enjoys a great reputation even today among poker professionals.
“The appointment in our league will be given in the poker scene as evidence of a true professional to be,” Pollack told AP. “We see the importance of this concept will be a bit more sharply defined.”
Membership in the league will be displayed at two, three or five years, less than ten players are guaranteed a lifetime membership, because they have to show outstanding achievements, said Duke, who will represent the league.
“The fans have shown time and again that they have the stars at heart. These are the people who really want to see on TV, and I think that the stars should get something in return. ”
Pollack sees the league do not compete for the WSOP, WPT or other tournament series. Rather, it was necessary to create a new community for which you have to first qualify by numerous tournament successes.
“This opens a range of new opportunities,” he continued, “and we will give the professional poker, a new perspective.”
Annie Duke, who in 1994 reached a total of 38 cashes in WSOP tournaments will not participate personally due to her new position in the league and occur in the future less active in appearance.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” she said. “If I make the sacrifice it has to play full time, then I will do that. I have no problem.”
However, Duke will not end their careers entirely. It announced that it continues to compete at the WSOP and other big tournaments.
