LAS VEGAS, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Most major sports have their best teams battle it out for ultimate athletic supremacy. But few have the cut-throat competition of the 2006 National Heads-Up Poker Championship which faces 64 of poker's top players off against one another March 4th-6th at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

This year, as the official and exclusive poker magazine sponsor, Card Player magazine and CardPlayer.com, will bring all the up-to-the-minute, behind the scenes action to viewers live from the tournament room.

"Card Player is proud to participate with NBC in offering the most extensive, real time coverage of poker's 'clash of the titans,'" says Card Player Publisher Barry Shulman, who will also be participating in the event. "With all poker's best players in attendance, the caliber of play on the felt is set to send the world's poker community into a frenzy."

Returning to defend his 2005 title is 10-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, Phil "Poker Brat" Hellmuth. He will undoubtedly have his work cut out for him as he faces 63 of the toughest players on the planet, all gunning to become the new champion.

With names like Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Johnny Chan, T.J. Cloutier, Gus Hansen, Jennifer Harman, Barry Greenstein, and 2005 runner-up, Chris Ferguson, all seeing action, get ready for a spectacular display of poker prowess.

At stake is $1.5 million in prize money, including a $500,000 first prize.

The televised debut of the three-day battle begins on NBC at Noon EST, Sunday, April 16th, 2006. But if you can't wait for the broadcast like the rest of the poker hungry masses, CardPlayer.com has you covered with live updates, interviews and exclusive video and audio content that can't be found anywhere else.

About Card Player Media

Card Player Media is a leading media resource for poker enthusiasts at every level of interest and ability. With more than 18 years of service to the poker industry, Card Player Media is the publisher of Card Player, Card Player College and Card Player Europe.

Card Player Media also owns and operates a leading poker information portal on the Internet, CardPlayer.com. The site provides visitors with free webmail, lively information forums, a poker analyst tool that allows players to track their winnings, odds calculators, live tournament reporting, poker blogs from top poker professionals, and insightful content that ranges from basic rules of the game to advanced strategy analysis. An opt-in poker newsletter is distributed twice-monthly to more than 350,000 subscribers through the site.

Justin Marchand of Card Player Media, +1-702-327-8298

CONTACT: Justin Marchand of Card Player Media, +1-702-327-8298

Web site: http://www.cardplayer.com/