UFC Star Randy Couture Hosting Poker Tournament

Randy Couture, a five-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion will host the "Operation All In" poker tournament Saturday, January 12th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. A combination of pro poker players, Mixed Martial Arts stars and Hollywood stars will be playing in the event.

The poker tournament will benefit the Xtreme Couture GI Foundation.  The goal of the foundation is to raise money to help the "brave men and women fulfill any of their unmet needs as they return back to civilian life."  The tournament has a $550 buy-in with rebuys available for $200.  The tournament will have a 15 table limit and is open to the public. 2006 World Series Champ Jamie Gold is expected to play, as is Hollywood star Dean Cain.

In other poker tournament news, the 2007 Second Yaoji Poker Beijing Masters Tournament concluded at the Beijing Grand View Garden Hotel on Saturday January 5th. It ended a six month competition that was organized by the Beijing Sports Press Association, the Beijing Leisure Sports Administrative Center and the Shanghai Yaoji Poker Co Ltd. The top four finishers won 5,000 yuan, 3,000 yuan, 2,000 yuan and 1,000 yuan, respectively. The Beijing Yaoji Poker Game Beijing Masters Tournament will resume after the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on February 6th.

Also in poker news, the 2008 UK Poker Tour schedule has just been announced with nine 1,000 Pound Legs and a 3,000 Pound Grand Final. Tournaments will be held in Brighton, Walsall, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Luton, Bolton, Thanet, Blackpool and the Grand Final at the London Victoria. There is also a Link Event in July.