The Arizona State Poker Championship is coming to the Valley this month.

Talking Stick Resort, of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, will host the 19th annual event Aug. 14-20. The tournament boasts a prize pool more than $2 million.

The championship draws top-tier poker talent from across the country, including seasoned professionals and past titleholders, making it one of the Southwest’s premier poker events.

Set in the resort’s Arena Poker Room, the largest in Arizona, the tournament will kick off with four Day 1 sessions Aug. 14-17, starting at 11:15 a.m. each day. Players can enter with a $1,100 buy-in to receive $30,000 in tournament chips and have the option to purchase $20,000 in bonus tournament chips for a $30 staff appreciation fee.

New this year, re-entries and late entries are allowed until the end of the third break on all Day One sessions. World Series of Poker winner Tiffany Michelle returns to host the event.

Also new this year, Talking Stick Resort will host the inaugural Arizona State Blackjack Championship, running on the same dates.

That tournament invites blackjack enthusiasts to compete for a share of a $25,000 prize pool. The buy-in is $125, and players may enter an unlimited number of times. Play begins at 9 a.m. each day.