SOME of the biggest names in poker could be flocking to the island to take part in a premier tournament.The World Poker Tour will be holding a three-day festival — Poker in Paradise — in February at the Fairmont Southampton Princess, culminating in a No Limit Texas Hold' Em tournament.

And poker legend and television commentator Dave Sexton will be holding clinics where experts and novices alike can hone their skills before the big event. Mr. Sexton is a European poker champion and a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner who is in the top ten for all-time money finishes at the WSOP. His tournament winnings total more than $3 million. Along with host partner Vince Van Patten, Sexton is a spokesman and commentator for the WPT which airs at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays on the Travel Channel.

The lucky winner of the tournament will receive a grand prize of a seven-night stay, plus roundtrip air for two, at the Fairmont Monte Carlo nestled in the heart of Monaco and home to the Sun Casino. Second place is a five-night stay, plus roundtrip air for two, in a luxurious casita at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. And third place is a five-night stay, plus roundtrip air for two, at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa in Sonoma Valley, one of California's premier wine country destinations.

Elizabeth Gadosky, Product Development Manager of Bermuda, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, said: "We wanted to host our own poker tour at Fairmont Bermuda and so we developed a programme in conjunction with World Poker Tour Events that would allow us to do that and at the same time adhere to Bermuda's laws about gambling. Texas Hold'em is extremely popular right now and we're excited that Mike Sexton will be hosting the event here on the island and we can offer participants the opportunity to learn from a real pro! We invite locals to join in the fun for two or three days of poker tutorials and friendly competition."

|0x95|The event takes place between February 8-11. For additional information or for reservations, please call 441-238-8000