Dream Team Gaming unveiled its team poker concept with a private invitational tournament at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas where the team from Bluff Magazine took home $39,000 in first place along with team championship rings which are valued at more than $5,000 each

Dream Team Gaming unveiled its revolutionary team poker concept, Dream Team Poker with a private invitational tournament at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Poker Lounge Nov. 7-9.  The two-day tournament attracted a diverse group of celebrities, poker champions and casino players.  It concluded with Team Bluff Magazine being crowned as the team champions (Eric Morris –Publisher of Bluff, Matt Parvis –Managing Editor and Justin Bonomo –local Poker Player).  Local poker player Jason Lilley from Team Flop was crowned the individual champion of the inaugural event.  Team Bluff Magazine took home $39,000 in first place along with Dream Team Poker’s team championship rings which are valued at more than $5,000 each.   

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the premiere of Dream Team Poker ,” said Daniel Delshad, chief executive officer and co-founder of Dream Team Gaming.  “We sold out our premiere, proved the tournament structure and everyone enjoyed the new concept.  The Hard Rock Poker Lounge couldn’t have been a more ideal location to host it, and we look forward to sharing the concept with the public and expanding into other markets locally, nationally and internationally.” 

The tournament commenced with a celebrity red carpet which saw an extensive lineup of world renowned poker champions and Hollywood names who took part in the tournament including: Jamie Gold, philanthropist and 2006 World Series of Poker Main event champion; Erica Schoenberg,  who participated on the show, Poker After Dark and nicknamed “Poker Babe”; David Daneshgar, 2008 World Series of Poker bracelet winner; Kenny Tran, 2008 World Series of Poker bracelet winner;  Jean Robert Bellande, who participated on the CBS reality TV series Survivor: China and is a promoter and poker player better known as “Action Bob” for his fast play and vigorous personality; professional poker players Roy “the Oracle” Winston and Chris Bigler; Actor Mekhi Phifer of NBC’s medical drama ER; Actor Roger Cross from the Fox TV series 24; Holly Montag of MTV’s The Hills; former NBA star Chris Mills; Actor Yancey Arias from NBC’s Knight Rider; and Writer and Producer Sam Simon of The Simpsons.

“Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was very pleased to be a part of the launch of Dream Team Poker,” said Mark Gore, casino general manager of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.   “Together with the new players that were brought to the property along with the extensive media coverage, the event was a successful relationship.  I believe Dream Team Gaming has found something that truly works, as it benefits the players, casino and everyone else involved.”  

Players in the final two tables included: Jamie Gold, Jean Robert Bellande, Holly Montag and Yancey Arias.  Bellande made it to the final table and came in third place at the tournament.  The three teams that ranked at the top with the lowest score were recognized as well as the top three individual players.  Rings created exclusively for the premier Dream Team Poker tournament were awarded to the three members of the first place team, which went to Bluff Magazine.  Local poker player Jason Lilley was named the individual champion and was awarded with a ring and a bottle of Cristal.  In addition, the winning teams and individuals were also awarded cash prizes.

“This tournament was a great accomplishment for Dream Team Gaming, and we are thrilled that the concept was so well-received by participants and onlookers,” said Ed Fishman, one of the top gaming executives in the industry and co-founder of Dream Team Gaming.  “I am excited to see where this will lead us, and I look forward to installing and introducing Dream Team Gaming to the world.”

Dream Team Poker offers a team variation of the game of poker featuring a patent pending scoring system that increases the odds of winning for the players, generates increased revenue for the hotel casino hosts more than current tournaments and stimulates growth of the overall poker industry.  The team-oriented game uses social networking to develop each team’s fan base.  In addition, the added challenge of team player strategy appeals to sophisticated players seeking a more engaging experience.   

The team-oriented game provides a unique socialization experience for all poker players.  The social networking aspect helps to develop each team’s fan base, new team player strategies and appeals to increasingly sophisticated players seeking a more engaging experience.  Dream Team Poker  benefits greatly by capitalizing on the desires of people who want to play games as teams, compete as teams, share experiences as teams and increase their chances of winning as teams.  

Dream Team Gaming is comprised of three superstar co-founders.  Edward Fishman, considered one of the top game executives in the Industry, whose credits include inventing the first gaming tournament and founder of Players International, a publicly traded company that was eventually sold to Harrah’s. Larry Cohen, former CEO of Merv Griffin’s Investment and Management Company from 1997 to 2007 and its CFO from 1988 to 1997. During that time, The Griffin Group purchased, managed and eventually sold business in industries that included casinos, hotels, broadcasting, real estate, equipment financing and entertainment.  The third co-founder is Honorable Jimmy Delshad, former Mayor of City of Beverly Hills.  Delshad has been credited with making City of Beverly Hills one of the smartest and safest cities in the world.  The three additional founders of Dream Team Gaming include Daniel Delshad who serves as chief executive officer and co-founder; Mario Ayala is chief game architect and co-founder; Homan Sefaradi is the president and co-founder.