Zynga and World Series of Poker (WSOP) announced today that they have formed a strategic alliance that will bring the players from both worlds together. Zynga is behind a free Texas HoldEm Poker game on Facebook, which is one of the top games on the social network site, with more than 12 million active users. A part of this new alliance is a series of shootout tournaments on Facebook that will send the two best poker players to the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas, where fame, fortune and the biggest prize in a tournament awaits the players. Mark Pincus, the CEO of Zynga said about the new partnership: "We built our Texas Hold'Em Poker game into the largest game on Facebook by keeping an eye on what is important to our players. We know that poker is a lifestyle which includes playing online and offline, and watching it on TV. This partnership is an opportunity to bring those worlds together." "Any poker player knows the Holy Grail is to win the Main Event of the World Series of Poker," said Craig Abrahams, World Series of Poker vice president. "Now for the first time, we're reaching fans in a new way, through Zynga's platform. Players from all over the world can play the free Texas Hold'Em game from the convenience of their own living rooms, and win a seat to the biggest poker tournament in the world." The prize package includes a VIP package with a roundtrip airfare to Las Vegas, three nights stay at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, a tour backstage of the WSOP venue and a day pass to the VIP players lounge. The shootout tournaments have already begun and will run through to June 22. Eighteen winners from the tournaments will be randomly selected to play in the grand Final Showdown on June 29-30. The winners will be announced on July 1 where they will be flown off to Las Vegas. See more on zynga.com/wsop for information and the details of the tournament.
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