National Poker League embarks on global tour

The National Poker League can't be confined by geographical boundaries. The league, which promotes itself as a truly international poker circuit, will kick off its global tour at the Paris Open in France May 13.

The comprehensive series known as the Global Circuit Tour leads to four televised world cups, with the first getting underway at the Cercle Gaillon Casino in France.

Next is the U.K. Open in August, followed up by the Asia Open in October and the Vegas Open in November.

The NPL has teamed up with the events' host casinos and online poker rooms to promote the event with qualifiers throughout the coming year.

"NPL wants to redefine the tour," said NPL spokeswoman Edna Dalton. "As a strong advocate of poker, we feel it's no longer a game but an established sport."

Pre-registration is available for the Paris Open on the NPL site, or by visiting the Cercle Gaillon Web page, www.cerclegaillon.net.

The tour will be produced in high definition and air on the INHD Network - Time Warner, Comcast, Cox Communications, Cablevision - and in syndication in the U.S. in standard definition.

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