New Pro Poker League

Newly founded firm Federated Sports and Gaming has announced plans to launch a PGA-style professional poker league with four events hosted at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.

The tour will have an initial schedule of three tournaments between August and December 2011 and a championship event in January 2012 at the Palms.

The tournaments will be invitation only 200 player rake free events with players selected using a proprietary ranking system that FSG say will rank the top professional poker players with 'guidelines similar to those governing professional golf and tennis.'

FSG said it planned to place the tournaments on television, and would look to create a new style of poker event for a home audience.

Professional poker player, and ex-Ultimatebet sponsored player, Annie Duke will take on a new role in her career as Commissioner of the league.

'A unified league is something we have been talking about in the industry for years and I'm really looking forward to bringing this vision to life,' Annie Duke said.

FS+G was formed last year by  Jeffrey Pollack, the former President and Commissioner of the World Series of Poker, and Michael Brodsky, David Goldberg and Jeffrey Grosman who until recently ran Youbet.com.

'Our new league will celebrate poker professionals like never before and provide a tournament experience at the Palms that is first-class at every turn.,' Pollack said.

FS+G also revealed plans for a 'social media' poker site and said a new brand name would be announced soon for its gaming properties.