WPT RESPONDS TO LAWSUIT PLUS NEW FLIPCHIP 2006 WSOP PHOTOS.

World Series of Poker event #30 $5,000 buy-in No-limit Hold’em Short Handed 6/table filled the Rio’s giant poker room with many of the top pro players for this popular poker format.

The World Poker Tour has rsponded to the lawsuit filed by the Seven Pro Players with a press release issued on Thursday. WPT stated they will not settle and will vogoriously defend themselves. The press release is in continue reading below. You will also get today’s offering of photos from the Thursday’s 2006 WSOP shorted handed event.

WPT ENTERPRISES, INC. RESPONDS TO COMPLAINT FILED BY SEVEN POKER PLAYERS

LOS ANGELES, July 20, 2006-WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WPTE) today announced, that while it has not received formal notice of a filing of suit, based on an initial review of a complaint posted on a website by seven poker players, the Company believes the asserted antitrust and other claims severely distort the facts and misrepresent the current state of competition in the poker industry.

WPTE’s General Counsel, Adam Pliska, stated, “We believe the claims alleged in this suit are without merit and plan to vigorously defend our position while pursuing all available legal avenues necessary to end this unfounded attack.” The Company will be represented by the Los Angeles based law firm of Gibson Dunn and Crutcher LLP.

“We are proud of our contribution to the growth of the poker industry and are happy many players have benefited from it,” said Steve Lipscomb, founder and CEO. “Therefore, we find it disappointing that a handful of players, of the many thousands who play in WPT events each year, have decided to make these claims even as the sport continues to grow.”