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Put on your best Poker Face

Edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

WINNER OF WSOP CHALLENGED BY POKER ROBOT IN DUEL TO THE FINISH AT WORLD SERIES OF POKER ROBOTS (WSOPR)® ON JULY 12-15, LAS VEGAS

We don't know the winner of the World Series of Poker yet but he or she should now consider themselves challenged by the world's best Poker Robot (as determined by the GoldenPalace.com World Series of Poker Robots) in mid-July.

There is no prize money for the human challenger -- just global bragging rights and a place in the history books. Like IBM's Deep Blue match against Kasparov, World Champion Chess Master, this event promises to be a fascinating duel between man (or woman) and machine.

Will they accept the ultimate challenge or will they express fear and hesitation?

The Best Poker Robot

In a seventy-two-hour duel to the finish, six players from around the world will leave their homes in Madrid, Hong Kong, Calgary, Indiana, Paris and Silicon Valley to meet in Las Vegas on July 12-15, 2005 for a Poker Robot battle Royale that millions will follow around the globe via TV, newspaper, radio and Internet.

That's right. Software-based Poker robots built for speed and accuracy by humans from around the globe - scholars, car salesmen, software developers, all walks of life.

The Grand Prize of the competition is $100,000 and is being provided by GoldenPalace.net, and 6 of the finest computer scientists in the world are eager to face off to prove they are the best and brightest. POKER ROBOT, LLC is responsible for producing the event -- contestant recruitment, technology consultants, and worldwide publicity and promotions management.

"Until now, Poker Robot competitions have existed in the underground," said POKER ROBOT, LLC, spokesperson Darren Shuster, "and we're making it a truly global competition for Poker and gaming enthusiasts to enjoy at the venue in Las Vegas, on TV or via the Internet."

Round One: $100,000 Grand Prize

WSOP® (The World Series of Poker, the human version), it will take about 6 weeks to narrow down the competitors to the final table. At this event, because of the lightening speed of competing Robots, it will only take 72 hours -- comprised of 4 six hour shifts.

The event is being staged during the finals of The World Series of Poker® (the human version) the second week of July 2005. An independent Hollywood crew is in the process of recording most of the contestants at their homes in preparation for their journey to Las Vegas. Why? To earn the $100,000 Grand Prize and global bragging rights for building the ultimate Poker mind.

Binion's Hotel and Casino is the venue for Golden Palace's 2005 World Series of Poker Robots®. This is where the final table of the WSOP is held.

The Players

Poker pros Hilton "Print" Givens of Indiana, Ben Lo from Hong Kong and others will be flying into Las Vegas on July 11, 2005. These players are available to speak with the media. Because of the security surrounding these robot-builders and the upcoming competition, in terms of secrecy and privacy, please direct your inquiries directly to the Media Office, Darren Shuster or Lindsey Rarick at (818) 992-3145.

"It will be very exciting to see how the Robots perform compared to the human players" said Richard Rowe, CEO of GoldenPalace. "It's really the search for the absolute best Poker mind."

Can robots really bluff as well as humans? We'll find out when the competition turns to Man Vs. Machine®.

Round Two: Man Vs. Machine

The winning robot will then challenge the Champion of the 2005 World Series of Poker® to a man versus machine duel. Will they accept the ultimate challenge?

Lies and deception are at the very heart of a good Poker competition - what happens when the human element is removed? How will the best player in the world fair against the best Poker computer in the world? Are top professionals willing to put their reputations on the line?

NOTICE: The World Series of Poker Robots (WSOPR)® is in no way associated with The World Series of Poker (WSOP)®

Winning Tips You Can Bet On For Las Vegas

WHERE TO STAY
Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa
2300 Paseo Verde
Henderson, NV  89052
Hotel Direct (702) 617-7777
Room Reservations (866) STAY GVR
www.greenvalleyranchresort.com
Green Valley Resort  is located in Henderson  only 5 miles South off the 215 Fwy. Easier access than from many hotels on the Strip.

The Westin Casuarina Spa & Hotel.
160 E Flamingo Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
7028369775
8668374215
www.westin.com/lasvegas

HYATT LAKE LAS VEGAS RESORT
Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Casino
101 MonteLago Blvd.
Henderson, NV 89011
(702) 567-1234
www.lakelasvegas.hyatt.com

JW MARRIOT LAS VEGAS RESORT & SPA   
221 NORTH RAMPART BLVD.
Las Vegas, Nv 89145
877-869-8777
702-869-7777
www.marriott.com
www.jwmarriottlv.com
www.gowestmarriott.com

Set 15 miles northwest of the Las Vegas Strip in the affluent master-planned community of Summerlin, the JW Marriot Las Vegas Resort & Spa is approximately 20 minutes from McCarran International Airport

BEST FREE MAP
Pick up a copy of What’s On Las Vegas. It was the only free map I found that indicated where all the streets were. Essential if you are going off the Strip.

BEST ADVICE
Wear comfortable shoes. Even if you cab it, or valet park, you will often walk 30 minutes to get to your destination. When I was there in January 2005, I ate at several restaurants in the Forum Shops at Caesars. I found the signage confusing and site maps non-existent. And many of the employees were new, and had no idea where the restaurants were. A shopping center spokesperson said this has been improved—I hope so. You will have to see for yourself

Have a master plan. You can’t do it all. I focused on food and shows. I did not gamble a nickel or spend any money in the tempting Las Vegas Strip stores. I did however, window shop enroute to the restaurants and shows.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
Japengo at Hyatt Lake Las Vegas 702) 567-1234

Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill  702-731-7731

Bradley Ogden  702-731-7110

HANK'S Fine Dining and Classic Steakhouse in Green Valley Resort 702-617-7777

Sushi Roku 702-733-7373

Il Mulino New York  702-492-6000. 

Spago www.wolfgangpuck.com or 702.369.0360

Tsunami Grill

China Spice in Green Valley Resort (702) 617-7777

Chinois

How to find out more about the restaurants
2005 Las Vegas Restaurants
With Bonus Nightlife Section
www.zagat.com

BEST BAR
The Whiskey Bar’s Living Room
In the Green Valley Resort

BEST CHOCOLATE DESSERT
Chinois has an incredible chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce and a crunchy bottom

BEST ORIENTAL DESSERT
Crispy Banana Spring Rolls with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream at Chinois

BEST MEAL DEAL
Mesa Grill has a $11 hamburger with fries. You get all of the ambiance and can splurge on a decadent dessert with your savings.

BEST BUFFET
This one is a surprise. It is not an all-you-can-eat-stuff-your-face buffet, but a healthy buffet at the spa in Green Valley Resort. There is a choice of 12 teas, 5 fruity flavored elixirs to add to hot water or sparkling water, two granolas, pretzels, fruit and more healthy choices available free to anyone having a spa treatment.

BEST INTRODUCTION TO LAS VEGAS MEAL
My very first appetizer was at Japonaga in the Hyatt Lake Las Vegas. The tuna tartare parfait was served on a bed of ice. Talk about smoke and mirrors of Las Vegas, reinterpreted with a zen slant. Since Japonaga has a master sushi chef (the only one in Nevada) it set the bar for my trip.

PARKING
Nearly all hotels have their own large lots or garages where visitors can park for free. But be sure to mark down your spot, as signage is not good and it gets confusing to find your car again at night.

BEST SPA TREATMENTS
Green Tea Wrap at Green Valley Spa (702) 617-7777
Deep Tissue Massage at Westin Hibiscus Spa–ask for Heather.  (702) 836-9775

BEST SHOWS
Mamma Mia! www.mamma-mia.com

"O" by Cirque du Soleil at Bellagio    www.cirquedusoleil.com  888-488-7111

Mystère by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island   www.cirquedusoleil.com  800-392-1999

ZUMANITY, ANOTHER SIDE OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL at New York-New York www.zumanity.com    866-606-7111

HOW TO GET A GOOD DEAL ON SHOW TICKETS
TIX4TONIGHT
Tix4Tonight sells same-day half price tickets to a variety of Las Vegas shows.
They have three locations on the Strip.
Types of Shows:  Tix4Tonight averages same-day ticket sales for about 40 shows/attractions.  Tix4Tonight has a full range of fabulous shows every day. They include headliners, variety, magic, comedy, showgirls and much more. Tix4Tonight also offers last minute tickets to some "always sold-out" Las Vegas shows at a smaller discount. These tickets are “on availability” only and are not available every night.
Three locations:  Fashion Show Mall: strip entrance in front of Neiman-Marcus;  South Strip: next to Harley Davidson Café at Harmon ; North Strip: Across from Stardust Hotel (Opening new location soon at Hawaiian Marketplace)
Number of shows available on typical day: 35-40 shows/attractions
Hours: Tix4Tonight's hours are from noon to 9 p.m. seven days a week at all locations. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis with the shows posted on screens at the ticket booths starting at 11:30 a.m. each day. Tix4Tonight accepts all major credit cards

Informational phone number/website: 877-849-4868.  www.tix4tonight.com

AIRPORT INFO
Located about one mile from the Strip, McCarran International Airport is an ultra-modern facility that introduces you to this gaming capital with slot and video poker machines.

When departing, get there early, as lines can get long—especially on the weekends.

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