FullTiltPoker.com Poker Million IX goes triple stack - 19/07/2010

Antonius, Matusow and Seidel all included in July's opening match-ups

The FullTiltPoker.com Poker Million IX begins with the opening three heats at the end of July and some of the biggest names in poker are coming to London gunning for the $500,000 winner's cheque - with the sponsors Full Tilt Poker adding $125,000 to make a total prize pool of $1,565,000.

The first three eight-handed heats take place at Sky Sports Studios on July 26-28, with the winners of each heat making December's live final on Sky Sports. The runners-up from each heat will meet in a runners-up heat in October after the second run of heats begins on October 12.

James Akenhead lifted the trophy in December

Two-time WSOP bracelet winner and Full Tilt Poker pro Howard Lederer kicks off proceedings in the opening heat, with Hendon Mob man Ross Boatman, Chris Ferguson, Stuart Rutter and Greg Mueller also confirmed for the first heat.

Full Tilt Poker pro Patrik Antonius leads the field in the second heat alongside 2010 WSOP bracelet winner Gavin Smith, Neil Channing and Boatman's older brother Barny. The third and final heat of the opening trio should be a lively encounter as Mike "The Mouth" Matusow and Tony G take to the felt, alongside Erik Seidel, Roberto Romanello, Tony Bloom and new Full Tilt Poker signing Annette Obrestad. Further names to be added soon as the battle to claim the trophy won by James Akenhead in December begins (pictured).

The ninth edition of Poker Million sees the competition go triple stack for the first time and each heat will see an online qualifier mixing it with the big names after getting through one of a number of online satellites running at FullTiltPoker.com. A player will also be parachuted straight into the final through freerolls on FullTiltPoker.com, starting with 150k in chips - with the seven other players (six heat winners and winner of the runners-up heat) starting with 300k. Qualifying for the second round of heats in October is still open at FullTiltPoker.com.

"The change in format for this year's FullTiltPoker.com Million IX is great news for poker," said Matchroom Sport managing director Eddie Hearn. "You only have to read the forums and the poker media to understand what the viewers want to see and that is the World's best players battling it out in a format that promotes skill and allows them to showcase every facet of their talent. The line up is will be the event's strongest yet and this news helps secure Poker Million as one of the World's leading poker tournaments."