WPT BOOT CAMP(TM) Announces Initial Locations for Poker Instruction

WPT BOOT CAMP(TM) Announces Initial Locations for Poker Instruction

Two-Day Fantasy Camp for Poker Players Provides Instruction From Pros and World Poker Tour(R) Hosts

Several Students Will Win a Seat at a WPT(TM) Satellite Tournament

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Ever wish you knew the poker pros' secrets for winning multimillion-dollar pots? Before now the only way to gain such experience was to invest thousands of dollars and hours in high-stakes poker. But when the new two-day WPT BOOT CAMP(TM) comes to town, people will have the chance to learn directly from poker champions and the WORLD POKER TOUR(R) hosts, picking up enough card-playing skills to put them on the "Fast Track to the Final Table(TM)."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050218/LAFRU1)

A fantasy camp for poker enthusiasts, WPT BOOT CAMP is designed to give amateurs an intensive immersion in poker strategy over a weekend. Instruction comes from WPT(TM) commentators Mike Sexton and Vincent Van Patten, as well as poker expert Alex "The Insider" Outhred, the man behind the camera who analyzes all hands played at WPT Final Tables. This core instructional group is augmented with a slate of poker champions. A portion of the coursework is also based on Sexton's new book, WPT: Shuffle Up and Deal (HarperCollins) being released in March. WPT BOOT CAMP students will receive a copy of the book upon graduation -- while supplies last.

Each informative WPT BOOT CAMP limits enrollment to only 50 students so the learning experience is maximized. The cost is $1,495 per person, and seats can be reserved at www.wptbootcamp.com or by calling 866-WPT-BOOT. Top students who perform well in tournament play at the Boot Camp will be rewarded with entry into a WPT sponsored satellite tournament. The initial cities WPT BOOT CAMP will visit are as follows:

CITY LOCATION DATE LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Las Vegas, NV The Mirage 2/26-27 Mike Sexton
Los Angeles, CA Commerce Casino 3/12-13 Vincent Van Patten
Denver, CO Wyndham Denver 3/19-20 Alex Outhred
Tech Ctr.
Las Vegas, NV The Mirage 4/2-3 Ron Rose
Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Hotel 4/30-5/1 Alex Outhred
& Casino
New York, NY TBD 6/4-5 Mike Sexton
Washington, DC TBD 6/25-26 Ron Rose
Los Angeles, CA Commerce Casino 7/23-24 Scott Fischman
Denver, CO Wyndham Denver 8/13-14 TBD
Tech Ctr.
Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Hotel 9/10-1 Alex Outhred
& Casino
Los Angeles, CA Commerce Casino 10/8-9 TBD
Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Hotel 12/10-11 Alex Outhred
& Casino





Camp attendees will be tutored on all aspects of competitive tournament Texas Hold'Em Poker. Coursework is carefully constructed as to compress the poker learning curve. Sessions feature an integrated curriculum that includes live lectures, archived WPT video footage, game play, and personal secrets from poker superstars. Students receive hands-on training filled with tips and tools to help them better understand the "tells," "reads," and strategies integral to improving their game. For starters, students learn to identify their unique skills and the skills of opponents. They then explore the mathematics of poker, followed by instruction specific to Texas Hold'Em. Lastly, students will get tutelage on how to approach tournament play.

WPT BOOT CAMP is the brainchild of Ron Rubens and Steven Berman, co-founders of River Gaming, LLC. The duo developed the program after years of work in the gaming industry and prior experience producing instructional seminars. River Gaming is a licensee of WPT Enterprises, Inc., which holds an ownership interest in the WPT BOOT CAMP.

"By bringing the WPT BOOT CAMP to multiple markets, we make this knowledge accessible to the growing number of poker enthusiasts across the country," said Berman. "This just-announced slate of events is a starting place and we expect to be expanding into other cities throughout the year. We encourage players to watch our website to stay current on newly added sites."

Students who refer a friend to the program will receive the following special offer: $25 in cash, and the friend will get a $100 discount off the price of the camp. For more information go to www.wptbootcamp.com or call 866-WPT-BOOT.

About The World Poker Tour(TM)

WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE) is a media and entertainment company engaged in the creation of branded entertainment through the development, production and marketing of televised programming based on poker and other gaming themes. To date, operations have principally revolved around the creation of the World Poker Tour brand through the production and licensing of a reality television series exhibited on the Travel Channel that is based on a circuit of previously established high-stakes poker tournaments that has been affiliated under the "World Poker Tour" brand. WPT Enterprises, Inc. is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:LACO). Photos and media information can be found online at: www.worldpokertour.com.

WPTEG

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050218/LAFRU1
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: WPT BOOT CAMP

CONTACT: Jackie Lapin, +1-818-707-1473, jackielapin@cs.com; or Jim
Llewellyn, +1-323-810-7685, ajllewell@excite.com, both for WPT BOOT CAMP

Web site: http://www.wptbootcamp.com/
http://www.worldpokertour.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information or 300 dpi downloadable images and logos, please go to www.media.wptbootcamp.com. Interviews are available. Media are invited to cover. Please call in advance.

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