NBC’S NATIONAL HEADS-UP POKER CHAMPIONSHIP RETURNS FOR SIX STRAIGHT SUNDAYS

Emmitt Smith to Make His National Heads-Up Poker Debut

Poker’s Most-Decorated Players Compete Head-To-Head In High Definition Beginning This Sunday

NEW YORK – April 14, 2011 – The seventh annual National Heads-Up Poker Championship kicks off this Sunday at Noon ET on NBC with NFL all-time leading rusher and 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Emmitt Smith making his NHPC debut. The ultimate big stakes showdown from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev. features 64 of the top players in the world competing to win six matches in a row and lay claim to the prestigious title of poker’s Heads-Up Champion. The National Heads-Up Poker Championship presented by GoDaddy.com features a record $1.8 million purse, with the winner taking home $750,000.

“Being in this tournament means that I’m playing against some of the best in the world,” said Smith. “I’m looking forward to the competition.”

The competition includes previous Heads-Up Champions Phil Hellmuth (2005), Ted Forrest (2006), Chris Ferguson (2008) and Huckleberry Seed (2009). Of the 64 players competing, 11 have won the World Series of Poker Main Event. Collectively the field has won 103 World Series of Poker bracelets and live tournament prize money in excess of $328 million.

Many other notable returning celebrities join Smith in his quest for the NHPC title. Actor Don Cheadle (Ocean’s Eleven, Hotel Rwanda), actor Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), and actress Jennifer Tilly (The Fabulous Baker Boys) will also compete.

Similar in structure to the NCAA’s single elimination tournament in college basketball, the players are divided into four brackets – Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs. Sunday’s coverage features the Hearts bracket’s opening round. Both Cheadle and Smith see action this week, with Cheadle facing Tom Dwan while Smith battles 2004 WSOP Main Event runner-up David Williams. The feature table in the Hearts bracket showcases two of the game’s most recognizable players in Daniel Negreanu and Phil Laak.

“I haven’t missed an NBC heads up tournament and I don’t think I ever will, hopefully. Being a part of this club is something special,” said Negreanu.

NBC Sports’ Craig Hummer, Ali Nejad and Leeann Tweeden call the action. NBC continues its opening round coverage on Sunday, April 24, beginning at Noon ET.

NBC’s National Heads-Up Poker Championship Complete Schedule (all times ET):

Sunday, April 17 – Round of 64 12-1 p.m.

Sunday, April 24 – Round of 64 12-2 p.m.

Sunday, May 1 – Round of 32 12-2 p.m.

Sunday, May 8 – Round of 16 12-2 p.m.

Sunday, May 15 – Quarterfinals 12-2 p.m.

Sunday, May 22 – Semifinals/Championship 12-3 p.m.

PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event Final Table on ESPN

ESPN2 and ESPN3.com will present same-day coverage of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) final table on Saturday, January 15. ESPN3.com will provide coverage in HD with a one-hour, unedited delay at 5 p.m. ET with ESPN2 HD joining with a simulcast at 10 p.m.  Fans will be able to watch on either outlet until the crowning of the new PCA Main Event champion.

“For the first time viewers at home will see a poker telecast from start to finish, with all the strategy of world-class poker players playing in real time and completely unedited,” said Matt Volk, ESPN manager,  programming and acquisitions.

PokerStars.net North America Regional Marketing Director, Joe Versaci, said: “This is one of the most exciting announcements ever in televised poker. This is the first time people watching online or on TV will be able to see everything that happens at a poker table. So much happens in poker that never makes it to the final TV edit, but this will show exactly how top-level players go about winning a massive tournament. There’s so much money on the line – it’s going to be gripping.”

The PCA tournament will take place at the Atlantis Hotel and Resort in the Bahamas with an estimated main event prize pool of more than $20 million dollars and top prize of more than $2 million.”

About www.pokerstars.net

PokerStars.net is the world’s largest poker site, with more than 41 million members. It’s the first choice of the world’s top players, with more daily tournaments than anywhere else and with the best security online.

PokerStars.net is also home to a team of sponsored players known as Team PokerStars.net Pro. This elite group of players travel the world competing in international tournaments. For a complete list, visit the Team PokerStars.net Pro home page.

Mondays – Fridays, 2:05 a.m. – 3:05 a.m ET/PT Saturdays, 1:05 – 2:05 a.m. ET/PT (Check local listings)

JOHN ELWAY, GARY PAYTON, BROOKE BURKE HEADLINE THE RETURN OF POKERSTARS.NET MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE

Highest Rated Broadcast Poker Program in U.S. History Debuts Second Season Sept. 15, 2010 – PokerStars.net, the world’s largest educational online poker site, today announced the return of PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge, the star-studded poker game show that gives contestants a once-in-a-lifetime shot at winning $1,000,000.  The show returns to FOX on Sunday, Sept. 19 following NFL on FOX action.

The new season will feature five celebrity defenders who will challenge various contestants in Round 1 competition.  This season’s celebrity defenders are Dancing with the Stars’ Brooke Burke, Super Bowl champion, Denver Broncos quarterback and Hall of Famer John Elway, Detroit Lions star and Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders, Playmate of the Year Sara Jean Underwood and future NBA Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton.

About the Challenge

Each week, contestants must beat one of the game’s celebrity defenders to win an all expenses paid trip to the 2011 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in the Bahamas and the opportunity to advance to the second round to compete against a Team PokerStars.net Pro player. Four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and the second winningest tournament player in poker history, Daniel Negreanu, coaches the contestant against the celebrity defenders in Round 1. Should the contestant advance past Round 1, he/she will get Daniel Negreanu’s help in Round 2 against the Team PokerStars.net Pro player.

In Round 2, Daniel Negreanu will be seated in a specially designed isolation booth where only the contestant can hear his advice. Beat the likes of World Series of Poker Champion Chris Moneymaker, WSOP bracelet winners Barry Greenstein, Jason Mercier and David Williams or poker star Vanessa Rousso in Round 2 and contestants have a choice: take home $25,000 or risk it to play Negreanu heads up for $100,000 and your seat at the tournament of champions.

Advance to Round 3 and your friend becomes your enemy as Negreanu moves to the other side of the table and becomes the toughest challenge yet. He saw how you played. He helped you win the first two rounds. He knows your moves and your tells. Beat Daniel one-on-one, take home $100,000 and play in the tournament of champions where the winner will earn the chance to play for the $1,000,000 grand prize.

About the Show

Hosted by FOX’s Chris Rose, along with reporter Michelle Nunes, the seven-episode series airs on select Sundays this fall following NFL on FOX action: September 19 and 26, October 10 and 24, November 7 and 21.  The grand finale championship show, where one contestant will face Negreanu heads up for the chance at the $1,000,000 grand prize, will air on Sunday, December 12.

The first season of PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge was the highest rated broadcast poker program in U.S. history, averaging nearly 4 million viewers per episode. Season 1 ended with retired NYPD officer and 9/11 first responder Mike Kosowski shocking Negreanu and taking home the grand prize.

Contestants for PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge qualified through specially designated tournaments on PokerStars.net.

Photos, video clips and more information about PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge are available on www.pokerstars.net/poker/promotions/millions. You can also follow real-time updates on twitter.com/poker_starsnet and at facebook.com/PokerStarsFans.

World Series of Poker Season Preview Show Tuesday, July 20 on ESPN

ESPN presents a special one-hour season preview show with memorable moments from last season and a look ahead to the 41^st year of the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, Tuesday, July 20, at 8 p.m. ET.

Lon McEachern and Norman Chad return as co-hosts for the record 28 hours of Main Event coverage, and Chad goes in depth with 2009 winner Joe Cada, who at 21 became the youngest world champion, cashing in more than $8.5 million.

Other features in the preview show include:

• McEachern will moderate four different roundtable discussions with the game’s best players, featuring a “Bracelet Race” analysis with 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth and 10-time bracelet winner Doyle Brunson. Past champions Dan Harrington, Scotty Nguyen, Chris Ferguson and Chris Moneymaker will also weigh in on how play has changed throughout the years.
• The remarkable year of the Shulman family is reviewed, including Final table appearances by father and son, Barry in the World Series of Poker Europe and Jeff in the November Nine WSOP in Las Vegas.
• Some of poker’s most impressive up-and-comers, Tom Dwan, Scott Seiver and Isaac Haxton, give their thoughts on age in poker and live versus online play.
• Past bracelet winners Jennifer Harman, Daniel Negreanu and Erick Lindgren forecast the 2010 series.

Fans will also get a taste of the tournaments to watch beginning with the season-opening $50k Poker Players Championship on July 27, the Tournament of Champions on Aug. 3, and the Main Event Aug. 10-Nov. 9.

Some fun facts about World Series of Poker, by the numbers:

219,570,000­ – Number of chips in play during the Main Event

28,000 - Number of pounds of TV equipment used to produce the WSOP

7,319 - Number of entrants in the 2010 WSOP Main Event (second-largest live tournament ever)

117 - Number of different nations represented by participants in the 2010 WSOP

41 - Number of years the Main Event of the World Series of Poker has existed

40 – Number of HD cameras used by ESPN to televise the WSOP

28 - Number of Main Event hours that will air on ESPN in 2010 (a record)

Visit http://espnmediazone.com and click on the World Series of Poker digital media kit for the latest schedules, news, photos, video and audio clips, and more. Below is this year’s telecast schedule on ESPN.

*TV Schedule Subject To Change

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Season Finale of Most Watched Poker TV Show In U.S. History Airs on Sunday Dec. 27 on FOX;

Last Chance For Viewers To Enter $100,000 Giveaway

LOS ANGELES, December 22 – The PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge, already the most- watched poker program in U.S. television history, concludes its groundbreaking first season with an edge-of-your seat, uplifting episode that must be seen to be believed.

In a decade defined by the tragedies of September 11, 2001, PokerStars.net ends the year — and the decade — with a story that will leave viewers not sure if they should cry or cheer or do both at the same time, as Mike Kosowski, a 21-year NYPD veteran, 9/11 first responder and American hero, overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to defeat poker star Daniel Negreanu heads up and win $1,000,000. (See Mike’s story at: http://bit.ly/4uZeEB)

PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge airs on Sunday, December 27 after NFL on FOX coverage (check local listings).*

Detective Sergeant Mike Kosowski, whose story is chronicled in the book “Never Forget: The Oral History of September 11,” was one of the first NYPD officers on the scene that terrible morning, rushing into the World Trade Center to help evacuate people.

From there, getting pelted with glass and debris, he hustled to World Financial Center, in hopes of helping make sure that building was clear. Inside, he found eight people trapped. Determined to bring them to safety, Kosowski was leading the group through a back exit when an explosion rippled through the area, launching Kosowski 10 feet through the air. He slammed into a wall. Though adrenaline kept him from feeling the full force of the pain, that impact herniated three discs in his neck, two in his back and left him with pain in his legs.

Kosowski spent the rest of the day, and the better part of the next few months, searching the debris at Ground Zero and on the Staten Island landfills for human remains. He was given the Medal of Valor for his actions that day.

These searches induced serious asthma and the combination of the herniated discs and the asthma led Kosowski to retire in 2004, after 21 years on the force. Retired, in pain and bored back home in Staten Island, Kosowski started playing poker and quickly found a new passion. While watching the 2007 World Series of Poker on TV, Mike and his wife Fran first saw Negreanu play.

Mike turned to his wife and said: “I’m going to play him some day and I’m going to beat him.” Fran laughed. Two weeks later, Mike had a dream that he beat Negreanu one-on-one. When he told his wife the next morning, Fran laughed again, dismissing his nonsense.

But the dream would become a reality. This fall, Kosowski saw a commercial announcing that PokerStars.net and FOX Sports teamed up to create a show that will give one player a chance to play Daniel Negreanu heads up for $1,000,000. Kosowski logged on to PokerStars.net, played in a specially designated free tournament and overcame huge odds to finish in the top 10 of 10,000 entrants.  He finished fourth.

Then another obstacle: the taping dates for the show are the weekend the Kosowskis were set to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Fran, who was laid off from her job in November, insisted he go to Los Angeles, even though producers told Mike he’d be an alternate and likely wouldn’t appear on the show.

Through a run of tremendous luck – none of the three contestants who played on the show before him that day were able to advance past the first round, giving Kosowski a shot to play on air, and great skill – Kosowski thoroughly outplayed both the contestants from his show and then the top winners from the series earlier episodes at two sit-n-go tables, the retired officer now had the chance of a lifetime. Kosowski took full advantage of the opportunity, earning his way into the one-on-one final and outplaying Negreanu, the four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner.

But Mike Kosowski won’t be the only big winner on Dec. 27. All season long, PokerStars.net has given viewers at home a chance to get in on the action with a $100,000 giveaway. $80,000 has already been paid out to show viewers with another $20,000 still up for grabs.  Tune into the show on Sunday, Dec. 27 to get the password and enter to win $20,000.

# #

With 21-year-old Joe Cada of Michigan setting a record as the youngest champion ever, more than 2.1 million viewers watched ESPN’s same-day coverage of the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, from Las Vegas on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The telecast earned a 1.8 household coverage rating in an average of 1,806,113 households, a slight decrease from the 1.9 rating earned for the 2008 finale.

ESPN’s 15-week schedule of World Series of Poker coverage in 2009 included 31 telecasts averaging a 1.0 rating, even with last year. However, averages for households (1,024,901) and viewership (1,228,008) increased nine and seven percent, respectively, from 2008, and the important Male 25-54 demographic saw a 13 percent jump from 2008.

It only took one year for the record for youngest winner to be broken. Denmark’s Peter Eastgate was 22 when he captured the 2008 crown.

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ESPN’s multiplatform coverage of the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky will culminate with same-day coverage on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 9 p.m. ET.

Lon McEachern and Norman Chad call all the action with an $8.5 million first-place prize awarded to the winner.

While Maryland logger Darvin Moon has the chip lead, much of the poker world’s focus has been on Phil Ivey. Even though he’s got a much shorter stack, the seven-time WSOP bracelet winner is considered by many to be the best player on the planet.

ESPN.com Presents Comprehensive Coverage of Poker’s Biggest Event

The November Nine reconvene at the final table on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 p.m. on ESPN, and ESPN.com will have a wide array of coverage from the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky beginning Thursday, Nov. 5, until the $8.5 Million first prize is awarded.

Fans can expect daily Poker Edge podcasts and feature articles written by Gary Wise and Bernard Lee. The poker blog will recap all the action as it unfolds and ESPN’s new 30-minute digital poker show, ESPN Inside Deal presented by PokerStars.net, will offer a preview show on Friday, Nov. 6 with exclusive preview interviews and a recap with the winner on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Before the final table begins play, fans can also predict the action on ESPN.com with Poker Pick ‘Em, a game where players can answer 20 questions for a chance to win a trip to the Bahamas courtesy of PokerStars.net.

ESPN co-host Norman Chad comments on the November Nine

Darvin Moon: “Can a logger emerge out of the woods of western Maryland, strike gold in Sin City and then submerge himself back into the woods of western Maryland? If he wins, it’s the stuff of storybooks.”

Eric Buchman: “Not an intimidating table presence, but his reads and instincts are sharp and, with plenty of chips, the 30-year-old New York pro won’t do anything outlandish to lose them.”

Steve Begleiter: “From his final days at Bear Stearns to the final table here, it’s been an odyssey for the 47-year-old amateur. He might have more gamble in him than anyone left – he won’t shy away from mixing it up.”

Jeff Shulman: “Until now, the Card Player magazine publisher has avoided big pots and played stay-out-of-harm’s-way poker. He likely will continue to avoid the big misstep – unless he’s already made one hiring Phil Hellmuth as his coach.”

Joe Cada: “At 21, he could become youngest Main Event champion ever. He’s even-keeled and selectively aggressive – sort of like last year’s youngest Main Event champ ever, Peter Eastgate.”

Antoine Saout: “He’s an engineering school dropout who only took up poker seriously a couple of years ago and now – in his first World Series of Poker ever – can become the first Frenchman to win the Main Event. Only in America.”

Phil Ivey: “He’s Phil Ivey. Next case. Can the game’s greatest player navigate a field of 6,494 to win the game’s greatest event? Yes. He’s Phil Ivey — short of stack but long on skill, and in his prime.”

Kevin Schaffel: “At first glance – at age 51, the oldest player left – the affable amateur is outclassed by this group. But then how do you explain that this is the third time in six years he’s cashed in massive Main Event fields?”

James Akenhead: “He hopes to be the first Brit to win it all. The good news for him is that he’s level-headed; the bad news is that he’s short-stacked. He’ll need some luck early for any chance to be around late.”

SEAT AT $1,000,000 QUALIFYING TABLE

Father Andrew Trapp Becomes First Big Winner On

PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge Airing on FOX

Go To PokerStars.Net To Win Seat On Hit Poker Game Show

LOS ANGELES (Monday, Oct. 12) – PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge, the hottest new poker game show on television, left audiences stunned on Sunday when South Carolina priest Father Andrew Trapp knocked off NBA Champion John Salley, Team PokerStars.net Pro Vanessa Rousso and Team PokerStars.net Pro and four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu to win $100,000 and a chance to come back in December for a crack at the $1,000,000 grand prize.

Known as “Father Rambo” for his passionate paintball play, the poker priest pulled out all the stops, at one point holding rosary beads while in a big hand against Salley.  Then after dispensing of the former Detroit Pistons Bad Boy, Trapp then shocked Rousso, before taking home the six-figure prize when poker star Negreanu misread the strength of Trapp’s cards.

Trapp immediately donated all of his winnings to the St. Michael’s Church in Garden City, SC, where he serves as associate pastor. His goal is to win the million dollar grand prize to help St. Michael’s build a new church, which is currently $1.5 million dollars short of its goal. (See Trapp’s entry video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcY2nVsO4EI; footage of Trapp’s $100,000 victory can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_gK2Z0SiOM).

The second episode of PokerStars.Net Million Dollar Challenge airs on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4:30 ET/1:30 PT after NFL on FOX coverage.* Tune in as more online qualifiers from around the U.S. take aim at $1,000,000.

To qualify for the show, go to PokerStars.net and enter specially-designated free tournaments. Then submit a two-minute youtube.com video showcasing why you’d be a great contestant. Then you’re just four short steps away from winning $1,000,000:

• Step 1: Take on a celebrity defender such as reigning Playboy Playmate of the Year Jayde Nicole, Super Bowl Champion, four-time NBA champion John Salley, six-time Pro Bowl selection Jerome “The Bus” Bettis or MMA champion Tito Ortiz.
• Step 2: Face a top Team PokerStars.Net Pro 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Chris Moneymaker, three-time WSOP bracelet winner Barry Greenstein, rising poker star and newest Go Daddy girl, Vanessa “Lady Maverick” Rousso
• Steps 3 and 4: Win back-to-back heads up matches against four-time WSOP bracelet winner Negreanu.

Hosted by FOX Sports announcer Chris Rose, there are four more episodes left, airing Sundays after NFL on FOX coverage* on October 18, November 22, December 13 and concluding with the heads up finale against Negreanu for $1,000,000 on December 27.

Plus, the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge offers viewers at home a chance to enter a freeroll tournament on PokerStars.net as part of the PokerStars.net $100,000 giveaway. Twice during each show, PokerStars.net will announce a special contest that will give viewers a chance to win easy money.**

*Check local listings. PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge will air before NFL action in some markets.

**Go to Pokerstars.net for a full list of contest rules and qualifications.

About PokerStars.net:

PokerStars.net is the world’s largest online poker school with over 26 million members worldwide. It’s the premier destination for the world’s top players – with numerous tournaments running every day. PokerStars.net is renowned for offering the best software and security in the online poker world.  PokerStars.net:

• Has dealt over 32 billion hands
• Has run more than 190 million poker tournaments
• Holds the Guinness Book of World Records for ‘Largest Online Poker Tournament’ and ‘Most Players at an Internet Poker Room’

PokerStars.net is the official sponsor of the European Poker Tour, PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure, Latin American Poker Tour, Asia Pacific Poker Tour and The World Cup of Poker. PokerStars.net is the home of Team PokerStars.net Pro, a group of over 30 veteran and up-and-coming players from around the world who play online at PokerStars.net and are sponsored by the site in international tournaments around the world. For more information please visit www.pokerstars.net.