World Series of Poker Academy Set to Roll in January

Harrah’s and Post Oak Productions have teamed up to create the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Academy, which will be hosted at various Harrah’s casinos around the U.S. Post Oak is an old hand in the poker camp game, having already created the popular Camp Hellmuth.

The first WSOP Academy will be held at Grand Casino Tunica January 27 and 28. Two more Academies have already been scheduled, one at Caesars Indiana on April 7 and 8 and one three-day camp, the Main Event Primer, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in June 2007 (exact dates TBA).

Instructors at the WSOP Academy include:

• Greg Raymer – 2004 WSOP Champion
• Scott Fischman – two time WSOP bracelet winner
• Joe Navarro – retired FBI and an expert on poker tells
• Alex Outhred – Final tablist, 2006 WPT Mandalay Bay Poker Championship
• Phil Hellmuth – most WSOP bracelets and cashes in history, 1989 WSOP Champion (not scheduled for Tunica or Indiana)

Lessons will be taught via seminars, live demonstrations, and, of course, tournaments with fellow attendees and instructors. Attendees will have the chance to win an entry into the WSOP Main Event through the tournaments. Additionally, all students receive the WSOP Academy Handbook so that they can continue their education when they leave.

The two-day academies will feature seminars and demonstrations on both days, with the tournament taking place on the evening of the first day. The three-day “Main Event Primer” will be similar, but with more opportunities for the attendees to test their skills. There is no instruction on the first day – just registration, Sit-n-Go’s, and a welcome party. On the third day, there will be a shootout tournament (in addition to the second day’s freezeout).

The Tunica and Indiana academies cost $1,699 per person, while the Las Vegas academy runs $2,199.

For more information and to signup, visit http://www.wsopacademy.com.

Originally published December 21, 2006