On Thursday, May 3rd, just two days before the annual Kentucky Derby, the Derby Poker Championship will be held in Louisville. This event is one that celebrities like Hall of Fame basketball coach Denny Crum, “Real Housewives of Orange Country” star Vicky Gunvalson, and poker pro Robert Williamson III have already marked on their calendars. The U.S.-friendly free-play online poker site HogWild Poker is a co-sponsor of the event and awarding one player a Derby Poker Championship VIP prize package.

By the way, American online poker players are welcome to sign up for HogWild Poker and take part in the second PocketFives League, which will hold a free game every Tuesday in April starting April 3rd. The players with the highest point totals after all four league games will win a brand new PlayStation Vita, while the fourth through tenth place finishers will win a mix of PocketFives Gear and HogBucks. Sign up now to take part. Remember, it’s free and open to U.S. players.

Jeff Amrein, Founder and CEO of HogWild Poker, commented in a press release distributed by the league-based online poker room, “As a part of the Kentucky community, we at HogWild Poker get caught up in Derby-fever too. We love being a partner in this event, where we can help people come here to play a great tournament with actors and top poker pros that benefits charity. But if you’re a gambler, you can’t help but get wrapped up in the excitement, and you are surely tempted to play your winnings on Derby Day.”

This year’s Derby Poker Championship is expected to attract between 100 and 200 players. It will be held at the historic Seelbach Hilton Hotel in Louisville and last year, a member of the group Boys II Men and poker pro Dan Shak finished as the top two and chopped the prize pool. Others who have taken part in past tournaments include comedian Ron White, 11-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, author Nora Roberts, and former Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin.

In 2010, Poker Players Alliance Vice President of Player Relations Rich TheEngineer Muny won the Derby Poker Championship for $18,000.

Even the mayor of Louisville, Greg Fischer, is looking forward to the Derby Poker Championship: “The Celebrity Derby Poker Championship provides another great reason for people to come to Louisville for Derby week. This glamorous poker tournament benefits one of our worthy charities, and we applaud our sponsors who are helping to grow this event so that we can attract people from around the world.”

The Kentucky Derby takes place two days after the poker tournament on Saturday, May 5th. Over 150,000 people will descend upon Churchill Downs in Louisville for the annual spectacle, which is dubbed the “fastest two minutes in sports.” This author has paid $40 to stand in the infield on several occasions and can say it’s quite an experience.

HogWild is running free online qualifiers for a $710 VIP Derby Poker Championship prize package and also donating three $160 tickets to a satellite event. HogWild allows players to take part in online poker leagues free of charge and recently served as the host of a special U.S.-facing PocketFives Open. HogWild is the sponsor of our ongoing NCAA pool and has opened its arms, and pocketbook, to the PocketFives community.

Qualifiers for the Derby experience began on March 22nd and will be held on Thursdays and Saturdays. The top 20 players in each receive entry into the finale on April 26th. In addition to the VIP package and satellite tickets, HogWild will be giving away HogBucks to the top finishers in the April 26th tournament. The $710 experience consists of the Derby Poker Championship’s $550 buy-in plus a $160 guest ticket.

Other Derby Poker Championship sponsors include Jim Beam, Southern Gaming Magazine, L&N Federal Credit Union, and TwinSpires. The event benefits Blessings in a Backpack.

Sign up for HogWild Poker today, and don’t forget to register for our free PocketFives League, which kicks off once again on April 3rd.