Poker players from throughout the country are expected to arrive in New Orleans this week to play their hand in the first World Series of Poker Circuit tournament at Harrah's New Orleans Casino.

"New Orleans is one of five cities to get a regional tournament affiliated with the World Series of Poker this summer in Las Vegas.

"Harrah's Entertainment Inc., which bought the World Series of Poker last year, created 'circuit,' or satellite, poker tournaments in Atlantic City, N.J.; San Diego; Las Vegas; Lake Tahoe, Nev.; and New Orleans this year to expand the event and capitalize on the game's growing popularity.

"The circuit events do not feed into the World Series, but are designed to involve more people throughout the country. The top 20 winners here will play in September against winners from other satellite tournaments in the Tournament of Champions, which is separate from the World Series in Las Vegas.

"…Television coverage of poker has exploded in recent years as networks such as ESPN and the Travel Channel have figured out how to turn footage of stone-faced poker players into gripping reality-TV dramas by placing tiny cameras to allow viewers to see the players' cards and analyze their moves.

"…Harrah's New Orleans doesn't expect to make huge profits from hosting the poker tournament, but the nationwide television exposure is invaluable…"