A total of 27 players will compete for the title with 20 of the field selected by a ballot of the poker loving public. Voting started yesterday at www.wsop.com and will remain possible until June 15th with the top 20 in the ballot all gaining entry. Joining them will be former Tournament of Champions winners Annie Duke, Mike Matusow, Mike Sexton plus WSOP and WSOPE Main Event winners Joe Cada and Barry Shulman who have already qualified.


"The Tournament of Champions brand has heritage in delivering the big moments," said HIE Vice President Ty Stewart. "We are thrilled to reinvent it around a model that should elevate the game by engaging millions of poker fans. We have received a lot of input from players and their affinity for the TOC, and we are excited for them and the fans and hope it's here to stay."


The top nine in the field will all make the money with the winner taking home a cool $500,000.


"Tournaments like the Tournament of Champions help elevate poker to the level it deserves and I am honored to participate," said inaugural TOC victor Annie Duke. "Winning the TOC marks one of the most memorable events in my poker career and I'm ecstatic that the WSOP is hosting this prestigious event." TAGS: Poker News, WSOP, announces, Tournament, of, Champions, Event