HPT Goes National, Heartland Poker League Announced

The Heartland Poker Tour has announced plans to create a national league that should be open to players this coming September. The lofty expansion will deliver the first poker league to span the country, allowing for more diversity in players and venues.

Poker enthusiasts from across the nation will have a chance to win their way to the HPT Championship for much less than the actual buy-in of $1,000. Weekly HPT tournaments require a minimal buy-in averaging $60, making entry more affordable for just about anyone who wishes to test their Texas Hold'Em skills.

The Heartland Poker League will kick off in September, running through December 2007. A point system will be implemented to track the results at each participating casino. After 12 weeks of play, each casino will declare a league champion. The league champions will win a prize package worth $2700 including entry to the televised HPT Championship at the Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Indiana this December.

HPT co-producer Todd Anderson explained, "We think a national poker league will succeed for the same reasons bowling, dart and pool leagues do. People get a chance to compete in a fun environment for small stakes, but ultimately they have a chance to test their poker skills under lights and cameras for huge sums of money."

In reference to the affordability and player diversity of the HPT expansion, Anderson said, "We're just a step up from the popular free bar and tavern leagues, but we're different because it is real people playing real poker, with real bets, for real money, in a real poker room, with a chance to win a lot."

The Heartland Poker League payout structure will deliver winning to all players who finish in the top 20%. A mere 3% of the buy-in fees will go to dealer tokes while the remaining 97% will be awarded to the winners.