PokerTek Inc is a creator of automated poker tables and related software. PokerTek began a poker tournament using their automated poker tables back in January and now has just finished the grand final. The tournament was title the Carnival PokerPro Challenge which saw PokerTek and Carnival cruise line working together.

The tournament began in January with No Limit Texas Hold’em satellite tournaments being held on twenty Carnival cruise ships and at a few select PokerPro land based casinos. These satellites continued until June of 2008. Each winner of a satellite received a cash prize and an entry into the Grand Final event which would take place in October.

The Final began on October 5th with ten PokerPro tables installed in the Forum Lounge on the Carnival Fantasy created specifically for the tournament. Additional tables were located in the ship casino for cash play.

The Carnival Fantasy sailed from New Orleans to Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico while one hundred and sixty eight players fought during three rounds of poker play. Matthew Hutt of Quebec’s Casino du Lac-Leamy was the winner of the tournament and took home $45,000 and the first ever Carnival PokerPro Challenge bracelet.

The Vice President of Casino Operations for Carnival Corporation, Rodney Dofort, stated: "From the beginning, it was apparent the collaboration between Carnival Cruise Lines and PokerPro was the perfect foundation for a thriving, fully- automated poker tournament. However, we never anticipated this level of success on our very first PokerPro Challenge. Our goal was to add some poker excitement to our great cruise experience and, judging by the reaction of the guests, we did just that."


- 2008-10-16