Inaugural WSOP qualifier comes to Iowa

Iowa has come down with a case of poker fever, and it's being treated with the state's first-ever World Series of Poker qualifying tournament.

The $1 million event is scheduled to take place Jan. 29 to Feb. 7 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, with the winner taking home a champion's ring and a seat in the 2007 WSOP Main Event.

The tournament site - Harrah's Horseshoe Casino - is gearing up for a mix of local and regional players, said a spokesman.

The casino has invited a cache of big-name pros to headline the event, but have only received confirmation that player Phil Gordon will attend.

Seven No-Limit Hold'em games are slotted for the week, with buy-ins ranging from $340 to $1,570. The main event comes with a $5,150 price tag.