NEW YORK, May 16, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- As a result of yesterday's Semifinal tournament in the 2nd Annual College Poker Championship(tm) (www.collegepokerchampionship.com), the tournament playing field has narrowed to 457 students from 12 countries. Representing the top 20 percent of collegiate poker players in the world, the remaining participants will compete on Sunday, May 22 for a chance to win a $41,000 academic scholarship. The final table will begin at 4pm EST.
For 37 weeks, 25,000 students -- nearly ten times the number of participants in the 2004 World Series of Poker -- from around the world have been competing for a chance to take the 2005 College Poker Championship (CPC) and in just six days the winner will be crowned. The top ten schools with the largest number of students who have advanced to the finals are:
1. Pennsylvania State University, 11 2. Michigan State University, 10 3. Ohio State University, 10 4. University of Florida, 10 5. Purdue University, 9 6. Texas A&M University, 7 7. University of California - Davis, 7 8. Florida State University, 6 9. University of Colorado - Boulder, 6 10. University of Toronto, 6
Players will be awarded as follows at the conclusion of the tournament: 2005 College Poker Championship Winner ($41,000 academic scholarship); Players 1-10 ($1,000 donation each to the charity or organization of their choice); Players 2-10 (share a $53,300 scholarship prize pool); Players 11-80 (share $15,500 in scholarship awards).
Throughout the competition, students have also been accruing points for their school in the campus rivalry challenge. When the tournament concludes Sunday, the campus with the highest point total will be named the official 2005 College Poker Champion. Going into the final tournament, the top five schools are:
1. Pennsylvania State University 2. University of Florida 3. Florida State University 4. University of Wisconsin - Madison 5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
CPC is a free online tournament available to all registered college and university students worldwide. The tournament provides an exciting and safe atmosphere for students to compete, win scholarships and learn some life lessons from playing Texas Hold'em poker, the hottest game in the world. Lou Krieger, author of "Poker for Dummies" and "The Poker Player's Bible" is the volunteer host of the CPC.
ABOUT COLLEGE POKER CHAMPIONSHIP:
The 2nd Annual College Poker Championship(tm) www.collegepokerchampionship.com is open to registered college and university students worldwide to determine the 2005 College Poker Championship winner. Entry into the tournament is free of charge, with all events being played with tournament chips. No purchase is required. College Poker Championship(tm) supports students' educational endeavors with scholarships worth $135,000, donations to charities, and champions the use of poker as a strategic learning tool.