Professional Poker Player Jennifer Harman to Host Charity Poker Tournament and Vendor Faire

RENO, NV--(Marketwire - February 6, 2009) - Professional poker player Jennifer Harman will host a Charity Poker Tournament (CPT) and Vendor Faire benefiting the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) starting at noon on Wednesday, March 11, at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR). The Jennifer Harman CPT is sponsored by GSR and Curtis & Co. Watches. All proceeds will benefit the NKF of Northern California and Northern Nevada.

Harman will return to Reno on Tuesday, March 10th, accompanied by professional poker players Marco Traniello, Howard Lederer, Tiffany Michelle, Maria Ho, Linda Johnson, Todd Brunson, Roy Winston, Lee Watkinson, Brad Booth, Andy Bloch, Olympic Snowboard gold medalist Ross Powers, World Champion and X-Games snowboard judge Jeff Brushie, NBA's veteran Chicago Bulls player and assistant coach Mike Brown, and NBA's veteran Sacramento Kings player Doug Lee. Celebrity tournament director and TDA founder Matt Savage will emcee the two-day affair.

"The Grand Sierra Resort has been very supportive," said Harman. "I'm excited to be returning to my hometown Reno in support of the local community and the National Kidney Foundation."

The $200 + $30 no-limit hold'em poker tournament is open to the public and seating is limited. Players may receive unlimited $50 re-buys during the first three 20-minute levels and a one-time add-on for twice the starting chip stack. The winner will receive a $5,000 World Poker Challenge (WPC) Championship entry. Second and third place finishers will each receive $3,000 WPC entries. Curtis & Co. will award valuable sports watches to all three top finishers. Sponsored final table prizes total more than $30,000.

Fundraising activities on Tuesday, March 10th include a Ross Powers Foundation Action Sports and poker memorabilia silent auction starting at 3 p.m., and a "Throw Down" team party that is open to the public at Pearl Nightclub that evening. Fundraising activities on Wednesday, March 11th include the Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) Vendor Faire, a CardPlayer.tv celebrity red carpet walk, a silent auction, and the Jennifer Harman CPT.

For more information about the Jennifer Harman Charity Poker Tournament and fundraising activities visit www.greasiewheels.com or contact Abby Vlautin at (916) 922-6681 or abby@kidneynca.org. Jennifer Harman CPT "Throw Down" teams should contact Kelli Griggs at kelli@kelligriggs.com. To participate in the LIPS coordinated Vendor Faire contact Lupe Soto at lupe@lipstour.com.

Celebrity accommodations are provided by Grand Sierra Resort. The Jennifer Harman CPT and Vendor Faire is sponsored and supported by Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Curtis & Co. Watches, Silver State Liquor & Wine, LIPS, CardPlayer.tv, Savage Tournaments, Whole Foods, Life's A Bluff, 2-Step Images, Legacy Alliance, CardPlayer Cruises, Cake Designs Las Vegas, FullTilt, WSOP Academy, Burton Snowboards, Nike, PMS Poker Wear, and Hard Core Elegance. The event is a GreasieWheels production.

About Jennifer Harman -- Kidney disease has had a devastating effect on this world famous professional poker player and her family. Harman received her first of two kidney transplants during childhood. At 17, she lost her mother to the disease. In 2004 she underwent a second transplant made possible by her niece. Due to her own personal experience, Harman is a staunch supporter of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and feels compelled to raise money for the affected and their families needing assistance.

About the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) -- The NKF is the major voluntary health organization dedicated to preventing kidney disease, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. NKF programs include detections and prevention programs for children and adults, education programs for patients and professionals, kids' summer camp, research fellowships, organ donor information, and more. Over 75,000 people in Northern Nevada have some level of chronic kidney disease, while and additional 75,000 are at risk due to other factors. The NKF achieves live-saving results today through the contributions of a generous public including participation in NKF signature initiatives such as the Kidney Cars Vehicle Donation program, Kidney Walks and the NKF Golf Classic. For more information please visit www.kidneynca.org.

About Grand Sierra Resort and Casino -- In the heart of Reno/Tahoe, America's Adventure Place, Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) is northern Nevada's most complete resort destination with nearly 2,000 guest rooms and suites. From the everyday business traveler's needs to the complete family vacation, the property offers a wide variety of accommodations and amenities, including 200,000 square feet of meeting and conventions space, branded retail shopping, headliner entertainment, a cinema, a 50-lane championship bowling center, outdoor thrill rides, aqua golf driving range, plus so much more. GSR is the largest casino north of Las Vegas with 24 hours of heart-pounding action. GSR is a proud member of Summit Hotels and Resorts, a prestigious brand of Preferred Hotel Group. For more information, please visit www.grandsierraresort.com. For reservations call 1(800) 648-5080.

Contact Information: Contact: GreasieWheels, LLC Lisa Wheeler lisa@greasiewheels.com (702) 327-7250 Grand Sierra Resort Melissa Haughey melissa.haughey@grandsierracondos.com (775) 789-5329 Kirvin Doak Communications Kala Peterson kpeterson@kirvindoak.com Melanie Shafer mshafer@kirvindoak.com (702) 737-3100 National Kidney Foundation Abby Vlautin abby@kidneynca.org (916) 922-6681