Co-hosts Mike Sexton, Vince Van Patten and the beautiful Royal Flush Girls will be flying to Italy for this highly anticipated event, giving players and European fans the opportunity to meet the stars of the World Poker Tour. WPT Venice Grand Prix also marks the special debut of Marianela Pereyra as WPT Anchor while Kimberly Lansing takes maternity leave. With the TV cast in attendance throughout the event and cameras rolling from Day One until the final hand, expect a riveting week of action both on and off the felt.

Adding to the excitement is a unique and exclusive performance by world-renowned magician Dynamo. On Tuesday, 7 February Dynamo will be performing a 90-minute, intimate and up-close spectacular for guests during the WPT Players Party. The celebrity magician will dazzle attendees with a mysterious act including never-before-seen illusions. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

To top it off, the WPT Venice Grand Prix takes place during the internationally revered Carnival. The wondrous festival provides a surreal atmosphere to the already incredible city as players will be able to partake in the centuries-old tradition in person.

The televised WPT Venice Grand Prix will be first broadcasted on Fox Sports Net in the U.S. as part of the brand new WPT Season X which debuts on Sunday, 12 February. The WPT final table will be streamed live on Friday, 10 February at www.WorldPokerTour.com.

Whoever triumphs at the WPT Venice Grand Prix will take home the first-place prize money, which totaled €380,000 last year, the coveted WPT Champions Trophy, the Tiffany & Co.® WPT Champions Award, a place on the WPT Champions Cup plus entry into the $25,000 2012 WPT World Championship at Bellagio in Las Vegas. In addition, the new WPT Champion will also receive a one-of-a-kind Murano glass replica of the WPT Champions Cup, offered by the world-famous Venetian Consortium Promovetro Murano and certified original by Vetro Artistico® Murano.

On Day 1, players will have the ability to late register up until Level 6. Each participant will receive a commemorative Tommasi Murano glass card protector during the WPT Players Party. Many top poker pros have already confirmed their attendance including Kara Scott, GD Poker pro Max Pescatori, PKR’s Jake Cody and local hero Giovanni Rizzo in addition to Charles Chatta, James Akenhead, John Eames and WPT Champions Club members Roberto Romanello and James Dempsey. The full schedule offers a varied series of side events including a €1,000+€100 PLO 8 Max game and several NLH tournaments with a range that will appeal to low and high stakes players alike.

Immediately following the WPT Venice Grand Prix, the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open kicks-off from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Running from 10 – 14 February, this $3,500 buy-in event features re-entry on Day 1B and WPT Live Streaming of the final table. Only two weeks later, the WPT Main Event of the Los Angeles Poker Classic begins at the Commerce Casino. As one of poker’s biggest events, the LAPC continues to attract huge turnouts year after year.