A Kick-off Gala and registration for Poker Pool will take place at 6 p.m. on June 24 at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Men’s No. 1-ranked player Johnny “The Scorpion” Archer and No. 12-ranked women’s pro Jennifer Barretta will make appearances at the event, where players can sign up to compete in qualifying tournaments for the Poker Pool Tournament Finals, which will take place at the same venue Aug. 18-20. Players that sign up for any qualifier between 6 and 7 p.m. will be entered in a drawing to play Archer and Barretta in a game of Poker Pool, or win one of many prizes.

To be eligible to play in the Poker Pool Tournament Finals, a handicapped, double-elimination, 64-player event, players must compete in a qualifying tournament. These tournaments will be held in six locations in Phoenix, one in Tucson and one in Prescott. Each venue will host four weekly tournaments during the month of July. Times and locations will be announced at the Kick-off Gala on June 24.

A contestant must place first or second at one qualifier to enter the final at Fort McDowell. All players must be 21 years of age and ranked in a sanctioned rating system (e.g. APA, TAP, AZ Ratings Committee). Entry fee is $20 per qualifier. Qualifying players are automatically entered into the finals.