High Stakes Poker Introduction

The first season of High Stakes Poker, taped at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, began broadcast in January 2006 and consisted of 13 episodes. The second season, taped at The Palms and consisting of 16 episodes, premiered on Monday, June 5, 2006. The third season, consisting of 13 episodes, was taped at the South Point Hotel & Casino and premiered on Monday, January 15, 2007. New players for this season included Jamie Gold, Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Patrik Antonius, Paul Wasicka, David Benyamine, Brian Townsend and others. Returning players from previous seasons included Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Sammy Farha, Phil Laak, Jennifer Harman, Barry Greenstein, Erick Lindgren, Mike Matusow, Brad Booth and others.[1] GSN is currently running episodes from all three seasons on its prime time schedule.

On April 2, 2007 GSN announced that High Stakes Poker was returning for a fourth season. As with the third season, the episodes were taped at the South Point Hotel & Casino. Taping was completed in May, 2007, and the season will premiere in September, 2007.[2] The network cited the show's strong ratings performance in younger demographics.[3]

When it first aired, High Stakes Poker was unique among televised poker series because it did not take place in a tournament setting. Instead, the program showed a high stakes ring game. The minimum buy-in to the game is US$100,000, but players have bought in for as much as $1,000,000. In the fourth season the minimum buy-in is $500,000.[2]

Unlike tournament poker, the chips involved represent real money. If a player loses his initial buy-in, that player may rebuy a minimum of $50,000. In addition, players may bring in and use cash instead of casino chips in some situations. Unlike tournament poker, blinds and antes are constant, instead of increasing as time goes on. High Stakes Poker has $300/$600 blinds with a $100 ante. The fourth season features three forced blinds of $300, $600 and $1,200, with a "straddle" or optional fourth blind of $2,400.[2]

The host is A.J. Benza alongside analyst, poker pro, and former star of Welcome Back, Kotter, Gabe Kaplan. The players involved in the series are generally well known, professional high stakes poker players. The show was created by executive producer Henry Orenstein. In season one, Daniel Negreanu confirmed in a post on his website's forums that all players were paid $1,250 per hour for taking part and that 13 episodes were edited down from 24 hours of actual play.[4]

Television Times

High Stakes Poker Telivision Times:

Every Wed ~ 2-3AM GSN

Every Thu ~ 9-10PM GSN

High Stakes Poker Video

High Stakes Poker Links

• GSN ~ Official High Stakes Poker Website
  
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  Alternate High Stakes Poker spellings: high stakes, cash game, tv listing, tournament, live, cash, big stakes, poker, no limit, holdem,