Poker Ashes 2009 - From the Field to the Felt

For over 130 years, Australia and England have competed against each other on the field – the cricket field. And now, they’re taking it to the felt.

888.com is having their annual “Poker Ashes” Tournament starting July 15th, 2009. The term “Ashes” is in reference to the long standing cricket competition between the two countries. The premise takes cricket and poker players from both countries and plays them against each other. Teams play one on one, no limit, Texas Hold'em hands against each other and each winning hand counts as a point. In the end, the team with the most points wins a donation to the charity of their choice.

Perhaps the most intriguing part is that the non-cricket poker players they use come from 888's online site. Anybody could end up sitting across from their favorite cricket player in a game – or maybe even end up on the same team! Potential players participated in freerolls on 888.com and the winner from the games will join four professional cricket players to make up the Australian team.

Often considered one of the best Cricket players of all time, Australian native Shane Warne will be the captain for the Australian team. Warne, who has also bowled the “Ball of the Century” in cricket, has now become extremely well known in poker, as well. Having signed a sponsorship deal with 888.com in 2008, Warne has made appearances at many poker tournaments, including the WSOP. In fact, Warne has retired from cricket altogether, only playing in the occasional exhibition game. More and more, Warne is becoming associated as a poker player, and not a cricketer.

While he hasn’t yet obtained the same notoriety in poker as he has in cricket, tournaments such as these are getting him there. Maybe this tournament will find him winning the “Hand of the Century” as well!

888.com’s Poker Ashes Tournament will be aired from July 15th – July 19th in both Australia and England. Be sure to check your local listings for time and station.

888.com is also offering the chance to bet on each individual hand here.