SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The TASER Foundation for Fallen Officers announces that it will be co-hosting its 5th annual celebrity poker tournament with Fort McDowell Casino November 19 - 21, 2009. The weekend begins with general tournaments on November 19 and 20th. On Saturday, November 21, there will be a high roller event with celebrities. 100 percent of the net proceeds from these tournaments will be used to provide financial assistance to the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty across the United States and Canada.

This is your opportunity to play against and rub elbows with some of the World Series of Poker Champions (WSOP) as they compete with the local community for the chance to win cash prizes and one of two seats to the 2010 WSOP tournament. First place will take home a $10,000 seat, and our second prize winner will take home a $5,000 seat. Last year, this event was labeled by a national poker media outlet as "the most successful charity poker tournament in the country".

In addition to the poker events, there will be a celebrity golf classic at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort and Casino on Friday, November 20, 2009. Participation is limited to the first 75 players to register.

Included on the WSOP celebrity roster for the events are: 11-time WSOP champion Phil Hellmuth, Layne Flack, Antonio Esfandiari ("The Magician"), Greg "Fossilman" Raymer, Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak, Kenna James, Erica Schoenberg, Jeff Madsen, Roy Winston, Clonie Gowen, Brandon Cantu, Todd and Pamela Brunson, and Arizona's own celebrity players, Kevin O'Donnell and Jim Schneider.

Also playing in the event are stars from music, television and professional sports teams. These players include country music recording artist Mark Wills ("Don't Laugh at Me"), pop artist MarvinYoung "Young MC" ("Bust a Move"), Richard Karn (Al on "Home Improvement"), Gordon Klapp (NYPD Blues), Greg Itzin ("24" and "The Mentalist"), Kevin Dobson ("Kojak" and "Knots Landing"), Retired Sheriff John Bunnell (COPS and "World's Wildest Police Videos"), Karri Turner ("JAG"), Paula Trickey ("Pacific Blue") and many more. The WWE has also scheduled two WWE Legends, Sargeant Slaughter (Robert Remus) and Tony Atlas (Tony White) for the event.

Don't miss your chance to participate in the "Hold'em for Heroes" weekend that benefits the families of law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.