TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

Springfield could play host to about 2,000 poker players for the Mid-Ohio Super Satellite No Limit Texas HoldEm Championship.

The game has become popular, with world tournaments and celebrity matches on television.

"A lot of people are seeing it on TV," said Mike Miller, event chairman. "It involves skill like any good game, but a large element of luck is involved with the cards, and that's what makes it so exciting."

The event is a fund-raiser for Catholic Central High School. The amount raised will depend on the number of players, but Miller said he is hoping to donate $20,000.

It's hard to estimate how much the tournament could bring in because it is a new event for the school, said Pat Hearlihy, Catholic Central business manager. Hearlihy and Miller researched the game and attended a fund-raising tournament in Dayton.

The Springfield qualifying rounds are May 13 to 16 and then again May 20 to May 23. The final round is at 6:30 p.m. May 23. All the games will be played at Catholic Central's gym, 1200 E. High St.

The tournament winner can receive either $25,000 or have the entry fee paid for the 2005 World Poker Tour Championship in Las Vegas. The latter option includes airfare, lodging for two and $500 in spending money.

The entry fee is $55. To register, visit www.reecesonline or call (800) 722-9232. People also can sign up at the high school.

The tournament doesn't have a signup deadline, Miller said, but will close registration when it sells out all the seats. More than 800 players have signed up. Miller is hoping for about 2,000. People are coming from Columbus, Chicago and Detroit, he said.

He recommends that people turn on the Travel Channel to watch some games if they haven't seen it. The cable channel airs poker shows several times a week.