CALGARY, Alberta — (PRESS RELEASE) — HeadsUp Entertainment International Inc. (Pink Sheets:HDUP), operators of the Canadian Poker Tour (CPT) and Canadian Poker Player Magazine, are expecting record attendance figures for the upcoming poker series in Calgary to be held August 19-29. The Canadian Open Poker Championship (COPC) features 13 events over 11 days at 3 of Calgary’s premier casino venues and is the largest series of poker tournaments in Canadian history.
Pre-registrations from across North America started flooding in over a month ago and the company is working with Deerfoot Inn and Casino, Grey Eagle Casino and Cash Casino to prepare for the influx of players. The series will feature a $5000 heads up main event which has attracted top pros and celebrities in past years and this year is seeing some notable Canadians confirmed to attend. 2010 World Series of Poker bracelet winner Gavin Smith, 2009 World Series double bracelet winner Greg “FBT” Mueller and this year’s World Series of Poker Main Event final table qualifier Matt Jarvis from Vancouver will all be in attendance. Matt will be competing in November against 8 other players for poker’s ultimate title and a respectable $8,944,138 USD first place payout. He is guaranteed to win at least $811,823 USD for making the final table to be played November 6, 2010 in Las Vegas.
The COPC in Calgary this year will also feature the Canadian Poker Tour’s Ladies National Championship, which has attracted interest from female players across the country. All event winners in addition to competing for the estimated $3.5 million in total prize pools will also take home a coveted championship ring produced in Calgary by Intergold.
Although not internationally televised due to gaming regulations in the province, Calgary and the COPC will be the focus of the poker world for the 11 days and the event is estimated to generate over $2.8 million in economic benefit to the city. “I am very pleased to have seen the Canadian Open grow since our first event in 2006 where we hosted a single event with only 64 players,” stated HeadsUp CEO and promoter Kelly B. Kellner. “This year we expect over 2000 entries over the entire series and are pleased to have added a number of new sponsors including Big Rock Breweries and Dank Energy Drink.”
Rounding out the experience for players, the Company has made arrangements to “take over” the Rusty Cage, south location at Studio 82, to host the nightly “Ultimate Players Party.” Known in poker circles as “one of one the best parties ever,” this is expected to be one of the hottest tickets in town and a chance to mingle with poker pros and celebrities. Full event details can be found at www.copc2010.com.
