For the first time ever, the red hot Ultimate Blackjack Tour (UBT) brings its all-new version of the world's most popular casino game to the Las Vegas Strip in a partnership with The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, the latest major gaming destination to sign on as a UBT charter member.

The Venetian Invitational, the first-ever Elimination Blackjack™ tournament to hit the Strip, takes place November 24-26 and includes a prize pool of over $100,000. The final six players at the Venetian Invitational receive round-trip airfare to Los Angeles in January to compete in a taped UBT event that will air on CBS in 2007. The winner of the event will also receive a $10,000 buy-in to UBT's year-end Tournament of Champions which boasts a $1 million guaranteed first prize and an estimated $2 to $3 million total prize pool. The Venetian will also host a UBT tour stop in July 07 that will be open to the public for a buy-in of $2,700.

"It's great to partner with a world-class casino such as The Venetian to give UBT's Elimination Blackjack™ tournaments a home on Las Vegas Boulevard," said UBT founder, 1994 World Series of Poker Main Event winner and gaming expert Russ Hamilton. "Since the show has started airing on CBS, UBT has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the gaming world, and we know our new relationship with The Venetian will be a win-win for everyone involved."

Strong TV ratings and a continued spike in online play at www.PlayUBT.com are indicators that UBT has made an indelible imprint in the gaming world in only a few months since its launch, and UBT charter tour stops allow everyone to experience UBT's fast-paced action while playing for big money and the opportunity to reach superstardom on CBS. UBT's worldwide tour kicked off on September 23 at the Radisson Resort and Casino in Aruba and continued on to St. Kitts' Royal Beach Casino on October 28. Along with the Palms Casino Resort, which holds its first UBT Invitation November 17-19, The Venetian rounds out UBT's Las Vegas leg. Barona Valley Ranch Casino Resort in Southern California, also a charter member, will host a UBT Invitational December 1-3.

"Thanks to our exclusive partnership with the UBT, The Venetian has a great opportunity to showcase our property while enhancing each guest’s experience in gaming and entertainment," said Rob Goldstein, President and COO of The Venetian. "We are the Strip's preeminent destination for entertainment, featuring a wide variety of exciting experiences including Phantom, Gordie Brown, Tao and Blue Man Group."

The ten-episode first season of Ultimate Blackjack Tour, currently airing Saturdays on CBS, features the world's best professional gamblers in edge of your seat action against the dealer, and one another. Chock full of forced eliminations, Secret Bets and smash mouth trash talking, this scintillating intersection between blackjack and poker showcases pro card players Annie Duke, Antonio Esfandiari, David "Devilfish" Ulliott, Jennifer Tilly, Robert Williamson III, blackjack legends Ken Einiger, Anthony Curtis and Sanford Wong, and many other gaming greats.

Additionally, at www.PlayUBT.com, Ultimate Blackjack Tour is doing something never been done before. UBT is currently holding free online tournaments where winners earn seats to the UBT season two final tables to be televised on CBS in 2007. The site also provides Elimination Blackjack™ playing tips, in-depth analysis of the televised events, and detailed information on all UBT tour stops.

About the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, a repeated recipient of AAA's Four Diamond Award and the largest Mobil four-star property in the world, is one of the most luxurious resort and convention destinations. Re-creating Venice’s legendary landmarks, the resort offers unmatched service and quality for both leisure and corporate guests. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Venetian features The Grand Canal Shoppes, an indoor streetscape complete with gondolas and singing gondoliers, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, world-class gaming, exquisite restaurants, the Guggenheim-Hermitage Museum, and a wide variety of entertainment venues on its premises, as well as extensive convention and corporate services. For additional information, visit The Venetian website at www.venetian.com.