In the last eight years, the only competition that dominated the North American poker events was World Poker Tour. The number of WPT competitors grew continuously from year to year, making it obviously that North Americans are more interested than ever in poker. Starting with 2010, Poker Stars will run every year the North American Poker Tour (NAPT).

The first season of NAPT will start on February 20-24, at the Venetian in Las Vegas. The buy in at the main event will be just $5,000. The second event of the Tour is set to take place at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut on April 7-11. Like all NAPT main events, the second one will also have a buy in of $5,000.

By setting the buy in at $5,000 (half of the usually main event buy in at major poker events), Poker Stars tries to overcome consequences of the financial crisis that affects the whole world and attract as much players at possible. The NAPT is expected to attract also the best North American poke players like Daniel Negreanu, Joe Cada, Vanessa Rousso and Greg Raymer.

As usually, Poker Stars will hold online satellites with prize packages and entries to the NAPT, so check out the tournament schedules.