Poker News In Brief: June 21-27, 2010

Vanessa Rousso

We're counting down the days to the 2010 WSOP Main Event with little more than a week until the big show begins.

It's been a year of redemption stories at the WSOP, as Dutch Boyd, Eric Buchman and Scott Montgomery have all taken down gold bracelets.

Be sure to check our live tournaments, news and video sections for complete WSOP coverage.

Here's a look around the world at what's happening in poker outside the WSOP:

Vanessa Rousso Signs Energy Drink Deal

Poker's fastest-rising female star is at it again, as Vanessa Rousso has signed an endorsement deal to be the official spokesperson for EQ Energy Drink.

Already a major presence on PokerStars and GoDaddy.com, Rousso's become one of the hottest commodities in poker since splashing onto the scene in 2008.

"The energy tablets are awesome," Rousso said in a press release.

"They taste great, are super portable, and of course, give me a real energy boost."

Winner.com Poker Announces Dublin, Manila Qualifiers

Winner.com Poker has announced qualifiers for two major live events.

Players can qualify now at www.poker.winner.com, which is offering satellite events to qualify for spots in the Irish Winter Poker Festival in October.

The site is also offering qualifying for the Asian Poker Tour's Philippines 2010, which begins in August at the World Resort Manila.

PokerStars Launches Qualifiers For EPT Tallin

PokerStars announced that qualifiers are now available on the site for the PokerStars EPT Tallinn event, which will kick off Season 7.

The EPT Tallinn will run August 11-16 in the Estonian capital at the Swissotel.

Satellite qualifiers are playing on the website now for as little as €5.45.

CityCenter Introduces 2010 Aria Classic

One of the newest major poker rooms in Las Vegas released the schedule for its first major event this week.

The 2010 Area Classic takes place from June 27 to July 17 at Aria Las Vegas (inside MGM CityCenter), with the five-day $1.5k Main Event capping off the run.

The event runs parallel to the 2010 WSOP Main Event and will offer an alternative to players who have busted from the Main Event.

Check out www.arialasvegas.com/casino/poker.aspx for more info.

Qualifier Takes Down PokerStars.com UKIPT Killarney Main Event

26-year old Femi Fakinle made the most out of his chance at the UKIPT Killarney Main Event.

Fakinle qualified for the €1,000 in an PokerStars online satellite for €215.

Fakinle took the win amongst a field of 253 players and takes home €63,400.