The PartyPoker.com World Open V champion was asked to come on board when the legendary Brunson bowed out due to dental surgery.

"This is the most money I have ever wagered against the toughest field I have ever faced," said Laak. "Collectively my opponents have over $45 million in tournament winnings. This will be the best ride ever. Full stop."

The Premier League will take place at the M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas Feb. 12-18 with defending champion J.C. Tran, Yevgeniy Timoshenko, Roland de Wolfe, Luke Schwartz, Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, Vanessa Rousso, David Benyamine and Tony G all taking part in the $100k buy-in event.

PartyPoker also ran qualifiers to find a total of 16 players who are all in Las Vegas to play in a Premier League Poker play-off for a spot in the Premier League main event. Plus, one of the 16 qualifiers will be chosen by PartyPoker to receive a $100,000 Team Party contract.

Both the play-off and the main event will be filmed for TV.

Tran won the PartyPoker.com Premier League III and its $300,000 first prize defeating a final table that included Tom "durrrr" Dwan, Juha Helppi, Tony G, Roland de Wolfe and Peter Eastgate.

This is the first year the Premier League will play out in Las Vegas and the Forbes Four Star M Resort is excited to play host.

"Premier League Poker has been incredibly successful," said Joseph A. Magliarditi, Executive Vice President and COO, M Resort. "The event is uniquely set-up and attracts some of the top players in world. We're looking forward to hosting it this year."

With 92,000 square feet of gaming, 390 guest rooms and suites, nine restaurants and five destination bars, more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, a state-of-the-art spa and fitness centre and a 100,000 square foot events piazza, Eddie Hearn, Director of event organizer Matchroom Sport, believes M is the perfect destination for the Premier League.

"When we decided to take the Premier League to Las Vegas we needed a venue to match this prestigious event," he said. "The M Resort is a stunning location and the perfect place for the players to relax whilst they are amongst the heat of battle in what has become the world's biggest televised poker spectacle."