New Episode of Poker After Dark to Air June 11

Fans of NBC’s Poker After Dark have a reason to smile, as three new matches make their debut in June on this popular show. Ten more episodes were filmed at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in early May, and this week’s show is the first of these never-before-seen exclusive matches. Once again, each episode will feature six of the best poker players in the world engaged in a $120,000 winner-take-all freezeout.

The new series of matches kicks off in dramatic fashion with “Champions Week,” and like last season, features six players who have each won the World Series of Poker Main Event. Returning to the felt to participate in this clash of poker titans are Doyle Brunson (1976-1977), Jamie Gold (2006), and Johnny Chan (1987-1988). Chan bested Brunson, Gold, Chris Ferguson (2000), Chris Moneymaker (2003), and Carlos Mortensen (2001) in winning this match during PAD’s first season.

But Chan will also have to contend with three new formidable opponents in addition to Brunson and Gold in an attempt to defend his title. Joining this week’s match are former World Champions Huck Seed (1996), Greg Raymer (2004) and Joseph Hachem (2005). This will be our first look at both Raymer and Hachem on Poker After Dark, as neither participated in any of the previously aired matches.

This turned out to be an extraordinary battle and lasted more than 175 hands, a long match given the structure employed. Fans will especially enjoy the epic heads-up battle for the title, which comprises the entire final episode and gives viewers a great look into what goes through the minds of two of the champions as they attempt to eliminate one another and lay claim to the title.

The match will begin airing late night Monday on NBC at 2:05 AM, June 11, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot. The “Director’s Cut” will air late night Saturday, June 16, at 1:00 AM, right after Saturday Night Live. This show features a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews, and concludes with the winner sitting down with Shana Hiatt to discuss and analyze the match.

Each of the match’s six segments can also be viewed daily on www.nbcsports.com/poker. More detailed information on the players is available at this website as well.

Gold, Jamie: (Seat 1)

* Reigning World Series of Poker Champion, winning $12 million for his victory in 2006 by outlasting 8772 players
* First person in history to eclipse $10 million in tournament winnings


Hachem, Joseph: (Seat 2)

* 2005 World Series of Poker Champion
* Career tournament winnings in excess of $10.32 million, and ranks 2nd on the all-time money list


Raymer, Greg: (Seat 3)

* World Series of Poker Champion in 2004
* Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $5.79 million, and ranks 17th on the all-time money list


Seed, Huck: (Seat 4)

* Owns 4 WSOP bracelets and was the 1996 World Series of Poker Champion
* Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $3.42 million, and ranks 45th on the all-time money list


Brunson, Doyle: (Seat 5)

* Back-to-back World Series of Poker Champion in 1976 and 1977
* Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $4.96 million, and ranks 24th on the all-time money list


Chan, Johnny: (Seat 6)

* Back-to-back World Series of Poker Champion in 1987 and 1988
* Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $5.92 million, and ranks 14th on the all-time money list