Crown Australian Celebrity Poker Challenge
Encyclopedia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n celebrity game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
produced by Foxtel
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....
, which premiered 5 January 2006 on Australian pay TV channel FOX8
FOX8
Fox8 is an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms...
. The limited run, 10-part series consisted of 36 Australian celebrities, all playing No Limit Texas Hold 'em
Texas hold 'em
Texas Hold 'em is a variation of the standard card game of poker. The game consists of two cards being dealt face down to each player and then five community cards being placed face-up by the dealer—a series of three then two additional single cards , with...
poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
, for the chance to win up to $50,000 in prize money, and $50,000 for their nominated charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
. The show was hosted by former Australian Wheel of Fortune hostess Sophie Falkiner
Sophie Falkiner
Sophie Falkiner is an Australian television presenterSophie has previously presented an entertainment news series Confidential on FOX8...
, and was recorded at Melbourne's Crown Casino
Crown Casino
Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex is a large casino and entertainment precinct located on the south bank of the Yarra River, in Melbourne, Australia. Crown Casino is a unit of Crown Limited....
in front of a live studio audience. Paul Khoury
Paul Khoury
Paul Khoury is an Australian TV personality and voice talent.Paul Khoury was bass guitarist in a Melbourne band called Gravel, before entering and winning the Cleo Bachelor of the Year award in 2002....
and Clinton Grybas
Clinton Grybas
Clinton Andrew Grybas was a leading Australian rules football and sports radio and television commentator. His death at only 32 years of age was thought to be as a result of falling whilst sleepwalking.-Career:...
provided the color commentary, with a running time of two hours per episode.
Grand Final Winners
Season 1 ended on 9 March 2006, with MTV AustraliaMTV Australia
MTV Australia is 24 hour general entertainment channel specialising in music and youth culture programming which serves Australia and New Zealand. It is operated by Viacom International Media Networks Australia owned by Viacom and primarily features imported shows as well as locally produced...
VJ Jason Dundas
Jason Dundas
Jason Dundas , is an Australian television presenter and actor who is best known for his role as host of Australia’s most popular travel series Getaway, along with his early career as an MTV Australia VJ...
defeating The Weather Channel's Sally Bowrey in the first Grand Final to win the tournament and $100,000 total in prize money.