Poker Has Arrived at SKYCITY

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 November 2005

Poker Has Arrived at SKYCITY

The king of card games, poker, is arriving at SKYCITY Auckland from today (21 November 2005).

The Poker Zone (level 3, SKYCITY Auckland) starts up today, featuring the internationally renowned ‘Texas Holdem’ poker game.

SKYCITY Auckland’s introduction of poker follows an international resurgence in the game of skill, fuelled by blockbuster movies and televised poker tournaments.

“Around the world, poker’s popularity has taken off,” says Greg Hawkins, General Manager Gaming, SKYCITY.

“As the country’s largest gaming and entertainment venue, we want to be able to provide our customers with a wide range of gaming and entertainment options. “Demand for poker is huge - our customers say they want it here,” he says.

There will be four poker tables taking a maximum of 10 players each in the Poker Zone, which will open daily from 7pm until late. Stakes start from $2 and players play against each other – not the casino or the dealer - to win the pot.

To create some atmosphere sunglasses and visors will be allowed – but only by players in the Poker Zone.

Registration to play poker is essential. All persons must register in person on the day and will be called in order when their turn to play is up. For players waiting in line for a turn, or just wanting to have a look, there is standing room around the Poker Zone.

SKYCITY’s South Australian property, SKYCITY Adelaide, launched “Texas Holdem” Poker earlier this year. SKYCITY Queenstown Casino and SKYCITY Hamilton are also soon to launch poker.

For further information, or instructions on how to play see www.skycity.co.nz (Auckland, Casinos, Poker) or pick up a learn to play brochure from SKYCITY.

About poker:

Poker is a game of skill. The object of the game is to win the pot by forming the highest ranked fivecard poker hand or have all the other players surrender the pot to you by folding to your bet.

There are two types of card:

1) “Community” cards are dealt face up in the middle of the table to be used by any player to make up their best hand.

2) “Hole” cards are a player’s concealed or exclusive cards.

Players can use the community cards with their hole cards to form their best possible five card poker hand.

Texas Holdem

There are a few variations on the game of poker. “Texas Holdem” – the most popular game internationally - is played with a full deck of 52 cards and players are dealt two cards each and may use any combination of the five community cards and their two ‘hole’ cards.

The Terminology – what you should know:

Five terms will help kick-start you in poker.

Play:

Means that the player elects to remain in the game by placing an additional wager after the cards have been dealt and he or she has had an opportunity to look at his or her hand.

Fold:

This means the cards are placed face down on the table to be collected by the dealer. This indicates a player no longer wishes to continue in that game.

Raise:

To make a bet increase during a betting round.

Pot:

The sum of all antes, blinds and bets wagered in a round.

Check:

When you want to abstain from betting, but wish to continue to stay in contention for the “pot” by retaining the right to call after all other players have either wagered or folded. A check may not be made should a wager have been made in the round.

ENDS

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