Online poker pioneer Paradise Poker is running a 4-month tournament series to crown the Poker King of Canada. The tournament series, open only to Canadian players, boasts a $50,000 CAD first prize and runs now through April 15th.

Paradise Poker Marketing Director John Faley said "Canadian players consistently win or place well in poker tournaments all over the world. The field is already strong and new Canadian players are joining Paradise Poker everyday, so we decided to hold a tournament just for them." The series of daily freerolls will determine the Poker King of Canada.

Beginning Monday, January 8, the top 50 players from each daily heat qualify for the weekly King of Canada final table held every Sunday at 10 p.m. ET. Twenty-six Sunday final winners will earn a seat at the King of Canada main event held online at Paradise Poker on April 15.

During the opening week, players can enter a special one-time King of Canada side table by depositing $50 into their Paradise Poker account using the deposit code KINGCAN1. The first place finisher at the side table automatically earns a spot at the King of Canada main event on April 15.

Additionally, four seats to the Paradise Poker King of Canada main event will be randomly awarded to customers who have played in a King of Canada qualifier and deposited a minimum of $100 to their ParadisePoker.com account in that same week. A King of Canada Survivor Seat at the main event will be awarded to the player with the most Sunday final appearances. One lucky player will win the Paradise hotseat -- a seat to the final table via lottery.

Thanks to Casino City Times for information for this article.