GIBRALTAR -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- 888.com, one of the world's leading gaming and entertainment companies, has launched its biggest poker tournament ever in the form of the WPC - the World Poker Crown.

888.com Pacific Poker's new global poker tournament will begin on February 20 until May 10 and will offer a huge guaranteed prize pool of at least $3 million, with first prize winner collecting $1 million, the 2008 WPC title and even a real World Poker Crown.

The WPC is a very exciting new poker tournament and the biggest we have ever offered players In addition to the first prize winner of $1 million, 10% of the players in the WPC will win a share of the $3 million prize pool.

The direct buy-in for the $3 million Guaranteed is $1000+$50 but Pacific Poker is also giving players a chance to play in the final event by qualifying in a variety of online poker satellites with buy-ins as low as $1.10+$10¢.

The top 8 players will be invited to play in the final televised offline event in Barcelona, Spain between May 6 and May 10. These players, and a guest each, will be given free transportation from anywhere in the world to Barcelona as well as 5-star hotel accommodations for the duration of the final event.

The televised final event will air on Sky Sports 2 on May 12.

888.com's Marketing Director, Matt Robinson, said the World Poker Crown is one of the biggest online tournaments ever held and anyone has a chance to win.

"The WPC is a very exciting new poker tournament and the biggest we have ever offered players," said Robinson. "Anyone can take the World Poker Crown, win the million dollars first prize and become a poker legend."