Set Sail on the Ante Up Poker Cruise on Aug. 20-24

Clearwater, FL, May 21, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Ante Up Poker Cruise leaves Tampa, Florida, on Aug. 20 aboard the Carnival Inspiration for four nights of great poker action on the Gulf of Mexico en route to Cozumel.

"Cruising is the best value for your vacation dollar these days, and when you add in a bustling poker room with great games at great limits, you have the perfect late summer getaway,” said Scott Long, who publishes Ante Up Magazine with Christopher Cosenza.

Ante Up will transform the Inspiration's conference room into a casual card room with professional dealers and equipment and games, limits and tournaments for all players.

Jody Russell and Cassie Greene will run the poker room. Russell, former director of poker operations at Tampa Greyhound Track, and Greene, a veteran poker manager, have staffed several poker cruises and know what it takes to make this unique setting one that players will remember.

"I have always been impressed by Ante Up magazine and their staff," Russell said. "This cruise is sure to be a 'who's who' of Florida poker and it's an honor to be chosen as poker room manager for our maiden voyage at sea. We have a great team lined up that is certain to impress everyone."

Cash games will have buy-ins for the casual player up to the serious rounder, with none of the restrictions that hopefully will soon disappear from land-based Florida rooms. The highlight of the daily tournament schedule is a $150 buy-in Ante Up Poker Tour event that will have a generous structure.

RPM Poker is a presenting sponsor of the Ante Up Poker Cruise, and the up-and-coming poker site is expected to bring some of its energetic and talented pros on board.

"RPM Poker is a quickly growing site known for unique features like 'run it twice,' monster bad-beat jackpots and 'show one card,'" said an RPM Poker spokesman. "And we're really excited to be working with Ante Up on the Ante Up Poker Cruise."

Fares start at $350 per person based on double-occupancy - a rate that’s guaranteed through June 19. The Ante Up Poker Room is a private affair, so all players must book through Ante Up’s travel agent, Mary Kolb of GO Travel Orlando. She can be reached at (727) 733-3498 or mkolb@gotravelorando.com.

For the most up-to-date information, visit www.anteupmagazine.com/cruise and call (727) 331-4335 with questions or to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities.

Ante Up Poker Cruise
Aug. 20-24
Carnival Inspiration
Tampa to Cozumel

Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 20: Leaves Tampa at 4 p.m., Open bar cocktail party and eight hours of poker.
Friday, Aug. 21: 16 hours of poker while at sea.
Saturday, Aug. 22: Port call in Cozumel and eight hours of poker while at sea.
Sunday, Aug. 23: 12 hours of poker action while at sea.
Monday, Aug. 24: Arrive in Tampa at 8 a.m.

Games
Games and limits spread will be decided on board based on demand, but expected offerings include:
$1-$3 no-limit hold'em ($50-$200 buy-ins)
$2-$5 no-limit hold'em ($200-$500 buy-ins)
$5/$10 no-limit hold'em ($500-no max buy-ins)
$2-$4 limit hold'em
$10-$20 limit hold'em
$4-$8 limit Omaha/8
$2-$4 limit H.O.R.S.E.

Tournaments
Several $50 multitable tournaments, a $150 Ante Up Poker Tour event and SNGs will be offered.

To Book
Mary Kolb - GO Travel
(727) 733-3498
mkolb@gotravelorlando.com

Fares start at $359 per person, based on double occupancy, and are guaranteed through June 19.

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