Two great pillars of modern society, reality TV and poker will be joining forces in the UK with the announcement by InterPoker of the start of the InterPoker.com University Poker Clash.

Online qualifying has begun with the prizes being a place on the new reality TV series which will feature 71 student players. The lucky 71 will be competing for big prizes including major international tournament buy-ins, and tuition from InterPoker professional players such as Kathy Liebert, Juha Helppi and 2002 WSOP Main Event winner Robert Varkonyi.

The series will be filmed in the UK in Birmingham, West Midlands in June this year and is slated for broadcast on Challenge TV.

Contestants will compete against each other at the card table, take part in ‘Extreme Poker’ challenges and receive expert coaching in the hope of scooping a massive first prize which includes a seat at the 2006 World Series Of Poker in Las Vegas, as well as a seat at the 2006 Caribbean Poker Classic in St. Kitts, all flights and hotels included.

Second and third place will be awarded a seat at the Caribbean Poker Classic in St. Kitts (flights & hotel) and tuition from InterPoker.com's pros.

InterPoker’s Peter Marcus said: "The InterPoker.com University Poker Clash will revolutionize televised poker as we know it. As the University students live together, compare strategies and ultimately match wits and attempt to psychologically derail their opponents, fans of live poker and Survivor-style reality television are in for an exciting ride."

Gimmicky, yes, but we have to admit it sounds kinda fun. The idea boasts a perfect target market in students, and we’ll definitely be tuning in. And if you are a student with time on your hands, and fancy a crack at being involved, registration is open right now at InterPoker.com until May 29, 2006.