(Matthews, N.C.) PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK), announced today that it is partnering with Cirsa Mexico and PokerStars.net to hold the Life Poker Championship, the first national poker tournament in Mexico. Cirsa’s CasinoLife Del Valle property in Mexico City is hosting the first annual event on ten PokerPro tables August 18-22. The tournament kicks off on August 18 with a Celebrity Charity event.

“This tournament was created with players in mind, and has already attracted some of the best poker players in Mexico,” said Julian Lopez, Operations Director for Cirsa Mexico. “This is a prestigious event, and players wishing to play should qualify soon before the last available seats are gone.” The tournament will accommodate over 300 players, and will be televised live throughout Mexico.

“This is an exciting event for the Mexican poker market, and we’re looking forward to introducing our enhanced tournament software to players during the tournament,” said Mark Roberson, PokerTek’s CEO. “We’re pleased to partner with Cirsa and PokerStars.net, and look forward to making the Life Poker Championship an annual event.”

Players can qualify one of three ways:

•Win a qualifying tournament on PokerPro at CasinoLife and Emotion properties
•Win a qualifying tournament on PokerStars.net
•Pay the tournament entry fee to get directly into the tournament. This fee can be paid at CasinoLife and Emotion properties
Several members of Team PokerStars have already committed to playing in the tournament, including Angel Guillen, one of Mexico’s most decorated and accomplished poker players.

In addition to the main tournament event, a Celebrity charity tournament will be played on August 18. The charity event will be hosted by Monika Sanchez, a Mexican television and theatre star, and will donate 100,000 Pesos to the The Mayan Sanchez Foundation charity for special needs children.

This tournament will be played on the latest PokerPro tournament software. PokerPro version 3.0 gives players complete visibility of their tournament standings and chip stacks on the new tournament leader board and on individual player screens.

PokerTek, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK), headquartered in Matthews, NC, develops and markets products for the casino and amusement industries. PokerTek developed PokerPro automated poker tables and related software applications to increase casino revenue, reduce expenses and attract new players into poker rooms by offering interactive poker that is fast, fun and mistake-free. Heads-Up Challenge is a two-player table that allows bars and restaurant patrons to compete head-to-head in various games for amusement purposes, increases earnings for game operators and provides patrons unique and challenging on-site entertainment. Both products are installed worldwide. For more information, please visit the company’s website at: www.PokerTek.com, or contact Tracy Egan at 704.849.0860 x106.