The Poker bandwagon rolls into Dublin this week for the World Poker Championship, the largest Pot Limit Hold'em tournament on the planet.

With an estimated prize pool of over €730,000 and a truly international field of world-class players and a few celebrities, action at the Merrion Casino Club promises to be fierce.

A spokesperson for tournament sponsors, The Gaming Club, Richard De Waal said: "Having an event of this size and prestige in Europe is fantastic for poker and the rise of the game outside of the United States, and I think this is reflected by the quality of players coming from abroad for the event."

Among the confirmed entries are World Series of Poker Champions Greg Raymer (2004) and Chris Moneymker (2003), Chris Ferguson (2000) and Phil Helmuth (1989).

Also making the trip from the States is Phil Ivey whose three gold bracelets at the 2002 WSOP tied a record set by Ted Forrest and Helmuth.

The European charge will be led by Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliot who is fresh from a superb semifinal showing at the World Heads Up Poker Championship in Barcelona last week.

Other leading Europeans taking seats include The Hendon Mob, 2004 WSOP gold bracelet winner James Vogl, former European World Series of Poker Trial winner Simon 'Aces' Trumper, Marcel 'The Flying Dutchman' Luske and 2002 WSOP runner-up Julian Gardner.

Adding a touch of Hollywood celebrity to the event will be actress Mimi Rogers, best know as a former Mrs. Tom Cruise as well as for her part in Austin Power - International Man of Mystery.

Kicking off on Wednesday and running through to Sunday, the event comprises eight scheduled heats consisting of 16 players with two tables of eight. The winner of each heat will go through to the final where nine players will slug it out for the biggest ever first prize (€250,000) in land-based Pot Limit Hold'em.

The runner-up from each heat progresses to the semi-final where they will contest a single place in the final.

The event will be broadcast on Sky Sports as a 10-part television series and players will be able to wear sponsor's logos.

EVENT STRUCTURE

Blind Structure

(100,000 chips)

Level 1 - 500 - 1000 (30 mins)
Level 2 - 1000 - 2000 (30 mins)
Level 3 - 2000 - 4000 (30 mins)
Level 4 - 3000 - 6000 (30 mins)
Level 5 - 4000 - 8000 (30 mins)
Level 6 - 6000 - 12000 (30 mins)
Level 7 - 10000 - 20000 (40 mins)
Level 8 - 20000 - 40000 (40 mins)
Level 9 - 30000 - 60000 (40 mins)
Level 10 - 40000 - 80000 (40 mins)

Payout structure

€250,000 FIRST PRIZE

The Balance of the prize pool €480 880 will be paid as follows...