SKYCITY Festival of Poker to host Poker Academy
The SKYCITY Festival of Poker is set to begin in October and along with the poker festival, SKYCITY will be hosting a Poker Academy with Joseph Hachem and Lee Nelson teaching the seminar. Fans will be able to learn the skills of Texas Hold’em, tournament style, from the two poker pros. Hachem won $7.5 million USD when he won the 2005 World Series of Poker and will be headlining the Academy.
Nelson won the 2006 Aussie Millions, taking home $1.43 million AU. Nelson also is the co-host of Celebrity Joker Poker, the New Zealand and Australian versions. Players interested can by tickets to the Academy for $750 which includes the daylong seminar, lunch and participant only tournament. The winner of the tournament will get a free seat to the SKYCITY Festival of Poker Main Event. The Academy is set to take place on the 9th of October.
The Festival of Poker will begin on the 4th of October and continue until the 12th. Several big name pros are set to attend including the guest speakers of the seminar. Hachem was quoted as saying: “I am truly looking forward to my first visit to Auckland in October and playing in New Zealand’s premier poker tournament at SKYCITY Casino. It also gives me great pleasure to announce that along with my colleague Lee Nelson, we will be holding our first ever educational seminar at SKYCITY on October 9th. Look forward to seeing your there.”
Ejaaz Dean, SKYCITY Auckland’s Executive Manager - Table Games said: “I expect both local poker players and those travelling from overseas for the Festival will be very keen to learn the skills that have earned both Joe and Lee many coveted titles as professional poker players.
“Tournament poker is one of the world’s fastest growing sports and has huge television appeal and viewership. SKYCITY is proud to bring players of this caliber to our shores. I’m sure Kiwi poker fans will be excited at the prospect of not only matching skills against them in a game, but also learning what has made them amongst the world’s best.”