Get your poker faces ready folks, because the poker champs are coming to town. Starting Friday, August 11th, Talking Stick Resort will be hosting the 13th Annual Arizona State Poker Championship in the Arena Poker Room.

The tournament draws in hundreds of poker players from across the country to engage in a thrilling 5 days of No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em from August 11-15. Players are competing for a prize pool of over $1 million and prizes in the championship hosted by four-time World Series Poker champion Tom Schneider.

In order to enter, players must put down a $1,100 buy-in that earns them $16,000 in tournament chips. There is also a $10,000 chip bonus available for purchase for an additional $30. The 5-day event is broken up into 3 days of preliminary rounds from Friday through Sunday, leading to Semifinals Monday and culminating in Finals on Tuesday.

Elimination from the tournament is based on chip count, however, players eliminated during any of the preliminary round days are able to buy back into the tournament for $1,1000.

The winner of the tournament will receive  $196,750 as well as a Rolex and trophy, second place will take $143,000 and a trophy, and third place will receive $110,000 and a trophy. The final amounts may vary depending on tournament entries.

In addition to the cards and action, the Arena Poker Room will offer a special menu from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. featuring $9 courses of  Fish Tacos, BBQ Pork Sliders, and Portabella Mushroom Burgers.

Players interested in participating in the tournament can sign up now at the box office by calling (480) 850-7734 or visit www.talkingstick.com for more information.