Last February Chris Moneymaker, who true to his name turned a US$10,000 World Series of Poker (WSOP) entrance fee into a winning US$2.5 million, launched Moneymaker Gaming. The company manufactures everything poker, from luxury poker sets and accessories to clothing and licensed commemorative chips. It is now to create a co-branded poker product with Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

The collection of poker-related items will be available throughout North America and will include poker chips, poker chip sets, poker tables, poker collectibles and accessories. The products are being showcased at the first WSOP Lifestyle Show that runs until Saturday at the Rio in Las Vegas, and will be at MAGIC Las Vegas from August. PlayboyStore.com, MoneymakerGaming.com and the Playboy Concept Boutique in Las Vegas will carry the range, starting with a signature poker chip set and high-end poker table.

Around 15,000 poker fans are expected to visit the Poker Lifestyle show on their way to the World Championship No-limit US$10,000 buy-in Texas Hold’em event organized by Harrah’s. It is estimated that the prize pool for the 2005 World Series of Poker will be over US$100 million, with the winner carrying off more than US$8 million. The 2003 winner, Chris Moneymaker, commenting on the deal between Moneymaker Gaming and Playboy Enterprises said:

“Poker and Playboy go hand in hand.” He added, “It’s a match made in Las Vegas heaven, and I’m honoured to bring them together. We’re committed to making Playboy a dominant player at the poker table.” A Playboy Signature 300 Poker Chip Set retails at US$ 250. As figures suggest that around 70 million Americans now play poker, it seems that the two partners are betting on a share of the pot.
(E-07.07.05)

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