Three companies from various areas of the poker industry have partnered to create a new legal, rake-free poker site for U.S. players. The creation of RISE Poker (www.risepoker.com) was announced on Monday by partners ZEN Entertainment Network, Poker Royalty, and RISE Clothing. American poker players will have the option to play for free on the site or to pay a $19.99 monthly fee for additional benefits. There will, however, be a free "Alternative Means of Entry" for every level of membership. RISE Poker's press release said that members will be able to compete for $100,000 in monthly cash and prizes, a WSOP Main Event seat, and other special giveaways. The site is scheduled to go live on Tuesday, May 31.

"The market could not be better for a new, innovative rake-free site to fill the massive void created by the recent U.S. departures of the largest offshore online gambling sites," said Steve "Chops" Preiss, the site's executive vice president of business development. "We want to obliterate what the market thinks of a typical membership poker site." Preiss may be familiar to fans of the poker news and commentary site Wicked Chops Poker.

The RISE Poker team has yet to be announced but is likely to deliver on its promise of "the most recognizable professional poker players in the world," given the involvement of top poker talent agency Poker Royalty. Members will also have access to training content from PokerVT and gear and prizes from "poker-inspired lifestyle company" RISE Clothing.

"The games on RISE Poker will be just as cutthroat and adrenaline pumping for the average player as they would be on a gambling site," Preiss said. "In addition, RISE Poker is providing tangible benefits, connections to professional players, and the opportunity for players to improve their game."