ESPN, the network home to the World Series of Poker has entered into competition with online poker sites by launching its own online poker tournament, which will send one player to Harrah's 2005 WSOP. ESPN's new offering constitutes the first time a major television network has directly involved itself in the online poker industry.

A number of internet poker rooms, including Party Poker and Poker Stars, are offering tournaments and promotions giving away seats at the WSOP, and now ESPN is giving one player such a chance with its The 11-week Degree(R) All-In Poker Challenge. The tournament also offers a number of runner-up prizes, which include a whole slew of poker paraphernalia.

The site, developed by software company Micropower, hosts free weekly tournaments until May, at which time the top 500 players will compete against each other for a WSOP seat. Aside from the actual game, Degree All-In Poker Challenge also offers tips for poker experts Jay Lovinger and Phil Gordon, as well as basic information for novice players.

Also in the works for ESPN's poker division, the network plans to release a wireless poker game to be available on a number of mobile service providers by early summer.

OP-News Staff