I think to really have it work you will need to pull the truly professional players in to "legitimize" the tournament. Anyone can put on a card game with a cash prize for the winner---you will need to make it a truly professional event for professional players. You won't go big time with players with big wallets and no professional or amatuer card playing experience. What you really need is a former or current player that is known and knowns lots of other players to become a partner. Perhaps even having them officiate the game. With them on board to promote, it will be easier to pull in the pro players, gain noteriaty and eventually sponsers/partners. Just my two cents.
