Poker After Dark Season Concludes This Week

Poker After Dark Season Concludes This Week

Posted on April 17, 2008

With three highly successful seasons of one of the most widely-watched poker shows in the books, the filming of the 4th season of NBC's hit late-night program Poker After Dark will conclude on Friday, April 18 in Las Vegas. Ten new episodes will be aired beginning in July, but some exciting changes are in store that should easily please the most diehard poker fan as well as the casual viewer.

Poker After Dark has always wanted to give as many players as possible an opportunity to play on the show. During the first three seasons, 72 different players participated, and barring any last-minute changes, 20 more will be introduced on PAD4. Some of the newcomers are "old school", some are "new school," but all should make for interesting television with their wide variety of playing styles and personalities.

Perhaps the biggest change to PAD4 will be the introduction of two new formats. All shows in the past have been 6-player winner-take-all freezeouts, but that won't be the case this season. Viewers will now also be able to witness heads-up play and cash games on Poker After Dark, allowing for them to watch all three different variations of the game on one program.

One week will feature a double elimination heads-up battle between the four winners of NBC's National Heads-Up Poker Championship; Phil Hellmuth, Ted Forrest, Paul Wasicka, and Chris Ferguson, who will put up $50,000 each and compete for the $200,000 winner-take-all prize. For the many fans of heads-up play, this match is definitely one not to be missed.

Also, look for two weeks of a $200/$400 no-limit hold'em cash game to be aired next season. The 12 players participating will be Howard Lederer, Dee Tiller, Gabe Kaplan, Patrik Antonius, Doyle Brunson, and Eli Elezra during one week, and Guy Laliberte, Phil Hellmuth, Tom Dwan, Allen Cunningham, Mike Baxter, and Antonio Esfandiari in the other.

There will be another Dream Match, as online qualifier Paul Featherstone will play against five of his favorite players in Mike Matusow, Jennifer Harman, Phil Hellmuth, Gavin Smith, and Mike Sexton. And speaking of Matusow, he'll have two additional chances to break his 0-8 winless streak during PAD4, as he'll play in one match against David Williams, Phil Hellmuth, Gavin Smith, Clonie Gowen, and Phil Laak, all former PAD winners, and in another against Williams, Andy Black, Lee Watkinson, Dewey Tomko, and Allen Cunningham, all of whom made the final table at WSOP Main Events since 2001 but did not capture the title.

Other matches include "Brilliant Minds," featuring Bill Chen, Chris Ferguson, Andy Bloch, Brandon Adams, Jimmy Warren, and David Sklansky, all highly regarded for their proficiency in mathematics. Another is "The Mayfair Club," which brings together players who honed their skills in the once prominent New York City poker club in Lederer, Dan Harrington, Mickey Appleman, Jay Heimowitz, Steve Zolotow, and Mike Shichtman, the manager of the club during its heyday.

Bragging rights galore will be on the line in the "Nets vs. Vets," a match featuring three highly successful young Internet players in Tom "drrrr" Dwan, Brian "sbrugby" Townsend, and Andrew "good2cu" Robl against veteran pros and former World Champions Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Huck Seed. And what would Poker After Dark be without a little controversy? "Speak Your Mind" will bring together Phil Gordon, Gabe Kaplan, Cory Zeidman, Phil Hellmuth, Todd Brunson, and David Grey. Whether as columnists, commentators, or simply as players, these six are known for their outspoken natures, so expect a little fur to fly.

NBC is also pleased to introduce Leeann Tweeden as the new host for next season. Leeann brings an impressive resume to the show, including being a highly successful model, a regular on FSN's Best Damn Sports Show Period, a sideline reporter on FSN's Mansion Poker Dome series, and the host of the 2008 National Heads-Up Poker Championship. Leeann is as charming as she is beautiful, and will undoubtedly give many viewers yet another reason for tuning in.

The order of telecast for PAD's 4th season has not yet been determined, but the first match will air during the week of July 14. Additional information on the upcoming season as it becomes available, as well as profiles of all players and some great photos of Leeann can all be found at nbcsports.msnbc.com/poker in the near future.

A simple reason for Poker After Dark's success is because it delivers a mixture of great poker and fun. On that basis alone, PAD4 should be another huge hit with fans everywhere.

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