Every year, the California State Poker Championship brings the best poker players in the Western region. The 2008 edition of the California State Championship will again focus on No Limit and Limit Texas Hold'em tournaments kicking off on Tuesday, September 2^nd, at the famous Commerce Casino in Los Angeles.

The 2008 edition will feature a total of 18 events, with buy-ins ranging from $120 to $1,580 and an estimated total prize pool expected to reach the $7 million, with more than $300,000 guaranteed for the Main Event winner.  

"The Cal State Championship has developed quite a reputation. It might be because the tournament was won previously by actor Ben Affleck, or because top-notch talent shows up each year, or maybe it's the prestige that comes from winning a big tournament at the world's largest poker room. Whatever the reason, this is one of Commerce Casino's largest yearly poker events outside of the L.A. Poker Classic." said Commerce Casino Tournament Director Cheri Dokken.

The most expected event on the 2008 California State Championship schedule will be the $1,580 buy-in Main Event. Last year, Eric Crisp outlasted nearly 360 players, winning $324,815 at the Final. The year before, Lance Allred who scored a $345,470 paycheck after surviving a field of 420 players.

Other events scheduled for 2008 include $335 buy-in No Limit games on September 6^th and September 13^th with guaranteed prize pools of $200,000 and rebuys up to three levels. There is a special $120 No Limit Hold'em Deepstack event scheduled on September 7^th. Players will also have a chance to qualify through the Super Satellite Day held on September 19^th, where players can qualify into the Main Event for as little as $190.

Single table satellite games kick off on August 28^th. Being a resident of California is not a requirement to participate in the State Championship; however, players must be at least 21 years old to participate. All poker tournaments begin at 6 p.m., except for the Main Event which has a 2 p.m. start. Events with 100 or more entries will be played over two days.

The full schedule for the 2008 Cal State Championship, with event start dates and buy-ins, is as follows:

• September 2^nd - $225 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September 3^rd - $335 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September 4^th - $225 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 5^th - $225 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 6^th - $335 No Limit Hold'Em w/$200,000 Guaranteed.

• September. 7^th - $120 No Limit Hold'Em Deepstack.

• September. 8^th - $225 Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 9^th - $545 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 10^th - $225 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 11^th - $335 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 12^th - $335 H.O.R.S.E.

• September. 13^th - $335 No Limit Hold'Em w/$200,000 Guaranteed.

• September. 14^th - $225 No Limit Hold'Em Shootout.

• September. 15^th - $545 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 16^th - $335 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 17^th - $225 No Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 18^th - $225 Limit Hold'Em.

• September. 19^th - $190 Super Satellites.

• September. 20^th - $1580 No Limit Hold'Em Championship.