The participants list for the 2011 National Heads-Up Poker Championship was released this week, as usual including a selection of poker's biggest stars. The tournament will be played from March 3rd to 6th.
The NBC National Heads-Up Championship is traditionally one of the year's most entertaining events, and with 64 of poker's biggest names ready to play, this year seems to be no exception.

This week, a preliminary list of players was released by NBC, and judging from this, the championship once again promises a true poker spectacle.

"We are proud to broadcast the National Heads-Up Championship for seventh consecutive year for our viewers to see some of the most exciting poker in the world. You never know what match-ups you are going to get in Heads-Up," Jon Miller, President of Programming at NBC Sports, stated in a press release.

"Every year, we are amazed with the outcome of who beats who when the best of the best battle it out," he added.

His excitement is shared by last year's winner Annie Duke, who in 2010 bested Erik Seidel in the final duel to cash in a $500,000 first prize.

"Year after year, I look forward to competing among the toughest competition out there that the Heads-Up tournament brings together for fans to see nationwide. I am excited to compete against the skill and mental toughness that my fellow players will showcase at the tables," Duke said.

Duke will this year return with among others Erik Seidel, Andy Bloch, Vanessa Rousso, Phil Ivey, Doyle Brunson, Chris Ferguson, Daniel Negreanu, and reigning WSOP Champion, Jonathan Duhamel.

Also making a surprise appearance is 2008 WSOP champ Peter Eastgate, who yesterday announced he has decided to come out of retirement to rejoin the international tournament circuit.

The 2011 NBC National Heads-Up Championship will be played from March 3d to 6th at the Caesars Club in Las Vegas.

The event will be televised on NBC on six consecutive Sundays, with the first show scheduled to air in late April.

Source: Poker.org