TSN, Degree Introduce Degree Poker Championship in Canada

TSN, Canada’s largest sports television network, has joined forces with Degree anti-perspirant to launch the Degree Poker Championship, the country’s first annual Texas Hold’Em tournament. The winner will haul in a healthy bounty: $100,000, a seat at the 2005 World Series of Poker, and an opportunity to win another $1 million. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the other finalists.

Beginning in June, the Championship will feature two regionals, East and West, held at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and the River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia. The top players at each regional will then compete at the televised playoff and championship rounds at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. TSN will air the latter rounds across six one-hour segments in September.

Best of all, entry into the tournament is free and is open to all Canadian residents ages 21 and older, except for residents of Quebec. Players can register online at http://www.degreepoker.com.

"The Degree Poker Championship is the ultimate event for Canadian poker players and offers a truly authentic experience for participants and viewers," said Adam Ashton, Vice-President of Marketing, TSN and TSN Events. "The competition gives players the rare opportunity to feel the pressure of competing in front of a national televised audience."

TSN has been broadcasting poker since 1998, including such events as the World Series of Poker and the European Open Poker Championships.