GSN premieres seven-episode series – Poker Royale: Celebrities Vs. Poker Pros

Wednesday 27th April 2005

GSN has announced the premiere of Poker Royale: Celebrities Vs. Poker Pros, a seven-episode series debuting as part of GSN's weekly Casino Night, Friday, May 6 at 9.00pm ET/PT.

Not underestimating their opponents, the experienced pros put on their best game faces in an attempt to make it to the final table for a chance for the $50,000 championship grand prize.

The team of celebrities include: Lance Bass (*NSYNC), Mimi Rogers (Austin Powers), Jennifer Tilly (Liar Liar), and Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld). The professionals include Scott Fischman (Two World Series of Poker bracelets), Kathy Liebert (WSOP bracelet), Paul Darden (Winner of the 2003 World Poker Tour Gold Rush Tournament) and Kenna James (WSOP bracelet).

Shot at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California, the third instalment of GSN's Poker Royale franchise will be hosted by John Ahlers, the voice of the NHL's Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, who calls his first poker tournament. Joining him on Poker Royale is sideline reporter Lisa Dergan, named ‘sexiest sportscaster’ by STUFF magazine, and Robert Williamson III, returning as colour commentator.

In the first six one-hour episodes, three professionals and three celebrities face off. Every episode champion wins $10,000 and ten points. The player who finishes second receives eight points, third place receives six points, and so on. The players who make the final table will each receive $10,000 in chips to begin. In the two-hour finale, airing on June 17, the finale winner will walk away with a $50,000 grand prize.

'Our goal is to make our Poker Royale series better than other poker shows and this new format of the celebrities challenging the pros is totally cool,' said Ian Valentine, Senior Vice President of Programming, GSN, 'Viewers will enjoy the unpredictable action, great table talk and top notch poker on both sides.'

Source: OnlineCasinoNews