Spokane, Wash. – Idol Sports & Entertainment (formerly Northwest Sports & Entertainment) is pleased to announce that the Northern Quest Casino Celebrity Poker Tournament will be returning to Spokane this summer and for the first time in its four year history, will feature cash prizes. The inclusion of prize money promises to add to the excitement of the evening which will feature former Gonzaga star Dan Dickau, along with numerous other celebrities, including current NBA players, professional poker players and Gonzaga University alumni.
Despite the slumping economy, cash prizes will be awarded to the top eight finishers. The tournament champion will walk away with $5000, the runner up will take home $2000, and the third place finisher will receive $1000 in prize money. Even more, the 4th place participant wins $750, the 5th place participant gets $500, and those who finish in 6th-8th place will receive $250 each.
Scheduled to participate for the fourth consecutive year is the 2008 World Series of Poker Player of the Year Erick Lindgren. Lindgren had a career year in 2008 that included a 3rd place finish in the Horse event ($781,440), 4th Place No-Limit 2-7 Draw ($156,151), and a first place in the Mixed Hold-em ($374,505) and more importantly his first ever Bracelet. He earned a total of $1,348,528 during an incredible WSOP run.
Gavin Smith, another star from the world of professional poker, is also scheduled to appear. Known for his talkative, unconventional and aggressive style of play, Smith is one of the most popular players on tour. He was WPT’s Mirage Poker Showdown Champion and the 2006 World Poker Tour Player of the Year and has well exceeded $5 million in career earnings since turning pro in 1998.
The event will take place August 7th, in the Northern Quest Casino’s Main Ballroom. This experience is open to the first 100 paid entrants plus approximately 20 celebrities from the basketball world, mixed with world championship poker players. Entry is $500. Each participant will receive one seat into the tournament and two tickets to the celebrity poker reception before hand with an opportunity for pictures and autographs with the celebrities. As a charity tournament, proceeds raised will be donated to local charities in the Spokane area.
The celebrity poker reception will kick off the event, and will begin at 5:45. All the players will be seated by 6:55 pm, and the first hand of the tournament will be dealt at 7 pm.