Poker Royale
Encyclopedia
Poker Royale was a television series on the Game Show Network
(GSN), which featured No Limit Texas hold 'em
Poker
. The first series began on December 7, 2004. The seventh and final series, Poker Royale: Battle of the Ages, began airing on November 4, 2005. The series host at its conclusion was John Ahlers
, with commentary by Robert Williamson III
and sideline reporting by Lisa Dergan.
, with commentary by Williamson (Evelyn Ng provided commentary for the first two episodes). A total of 72 players participated and put up the $10,000 entrance fee.
Unlike later series, this series was done in a tournament-style format where players who had zero chips were eliminated. Also different from other series were that three tables were active during the early episodes, and was later lowered to the top ten players at the main table in center stage.
This was the only series where there was a contest for viewers. During intervals of the program, various poker buzzwords would appear on screen. Viewers would log into GSN's website and input this word for a chance to win up to $10,000,000 in a poker hand with the winner of the WPPA championship. In order to win the grand prize, the poker tournament winner had to get a full house or better by choosing choosing 5 cards form a deck at random (each card was sealed in an envelope). James Van Alstyne
won the tournament and shared an additional $30,000 with a member of GSN's website, in addition to the cash received, they each won a year's supply of pizza from Pizza Hut
.
and Kennedy
. Additional commentary was by Williamson once again, except for preliminary match #6, when Matt Vasgersian
covered for him.
As opposed to the previous series, this one relied on males vs. females, which also incorporated the current scoring format, where players would be awarded points for their teams, depending on how they finished in that particular episode (one point for finishing sixth place to six points for finishing first). The six players (three each of men and women) who had the highest points played in a grand final with the same rules as above, and the highest team score won the tournament.
The men were Chris Moneymaker
, Paul Wolfe, Greg Raymer
, Amir Vahedi
, Layne Flack
and Antonio Esfandiari
. The women were Kathy Liebert
, Jennifer Harman
, Evelyn Ng
, Karina Jett
, Kristy Gazes
and Clonie Gowen
.
The celebrities who participated in this tournament were Lance Bass
, Jennifer Tilly
, Mimi Rogers
, Morris Chestnut
, Patrick Warburton
and Traci Bingham
. They faced poker players Scott Fischman
, Kathy Liebert
, Cyndy Violette
, Roxanne Rhodes, Paul Darden
and "Cowboy" Kenna James
. John Ahlers became the permanent host with this series. Matt Savage and Bill Bruce were the Tournament Directors.
Patrick Warburton was the eventual winner.
, David Williams
, Michael Sandberg
, Erin Ness
, Erica Schoenberg
, and Scott Fischman. There were two final table events between these players. In the first event, Williams defeated Ness heads-up to take the win. Sandberg took third. In the second event, Williams outlasted Sandberg heads-up. Mizrachi took third.
. This series had more preliminary games than in previous series (ten instead of the previous six). The comedians were Paul Rodriguez
, Robert Wuhl
, Mark Curry
, Tammy Pescatelli
, Carol Leifer
and Sue Murphy
. They faced off against poker players Phil Laak
, Robert Williamson III, Linda Johnson
, David Williams, Connie Kim and Kathy Kolberg. Since Williamson was a competitor, "Cowboy" Kenna James took the commentator spot for this series.
, and had celebrities Nicole Sullivan
and Bob Goen
, plus poker players Kathy Liebert, Ted Forrest
, and Susie Isaacs
. The Unabombers were led by Phil Laak. His team had celebrities Jennifer Tilly
, Danny Masterson
and Gail O'Grady
, plus poker players Hasan Habib
and Cyndy Violette. Matt Savage and Bill Bruce returned as the Tournament Directors.
* $25,000 to Grand Final winner, $50,000 to winning team. Team captains pick two team members to take part in the final.
, "Action" Dan Harrington
, "Miami" John Cernuto
, Barbara Enright
, Maureen Feduniak and Wendeen Eolis. The younger players were Michael Gracz
, Dutch Boyd, Erin Ness
, Evelyn Ng
, Jennifer Leigh
and Kasey Thompson. A bounty was introduced for each episode. Matt Savage and Bill Bruce were, once again, the Tournament Directors.
1 $1,000 bounty on this player
2 bounty winner
3 joint bounty winners
4 $400 bounty on this player
Kenna James once again did commentary instead of Williamson for this special.
, GSN does not intend to do any more Poker Royale shows. A cash game
poker show titled High Stakes Poker
premiered on January 16, 2006 on GSN. This series is unrelated to Poker Royale.
Game Show Network
The Game Show Network is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite channel dedicated to game shows and casino game shows. The channel was launched on December 1, 1994. Its current slogan is "The World Needs More Winners"...
(GSN), which featured 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...
. The first series began on December 7, 2004. The seventh and final series, Poker Royale: Battle of the Ages, began airing on November 4, 2005. The series host at its conclusion was John Ahlers
John Ahlers
John Ahlers is the television play-by-play announcer for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League on Prime Ticket/Fox Sports West, and KDOC...
, with commentary by Robert Williamson III
Robert Williamson III
Robert Williamson III is an American poker player from Dallas, Texas.Williamson grew up with three sisters and his best friend, Chris Caywood in Granbury, Texas and received B.B.A. degrees in finance and real estate from Angelo State University in San Angelo.He began playing aged 10 or 11, after...
and sideline reporting by Lisa Dergan.
Poker Royale: The WPPA Championship
The first series was based on the championship of the World Poker Players Association. The show was hosted by Kevin NealonKevin Nealon
Kevin Nealon is an American actor and comedian, best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, acting in several of the Happy Madison films, for playing Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds, and providing the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin on Glenn Martin,...
, with commentary by Williamson (Evelyn Ng provided commentary for the first two episodes). A total of 72 players participated and put up the $10,000 entrance fee.
Unlike later series, this series was done in a tournament-style format where players who had zero chips were eliminated. Also different from other series were that three tables were active during the early episodes, and was later lowered to the top ten players at the main table in center stage.
This was the only series where there was a contest for viewers. During intervals of the program, various poker buzzwords would appear on screen. Viewers would log into GSN's website and input this word for a chance to win up to $10,000,000 in a poker hand with the winner of the WPPA championship. In order to win the grand prize, the poker tournament winner had to get a full house or better by choosing choosing 5 cards form a deck at random (each card was sealed in an envelope). James Van Alstyne
James Van Alstyne
James Gibson Van Alstyne is an American professional poker player based in Las Vegas, Nevada.Van Alstyne grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated from Ben Franklin High School...
won the tournament and shared an additional $30,000 with a member of GSN's website, in addition to the cash received, they each won a year's supply of pizza from Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
.
Results
| Position | Competitor | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | James Van Alstyne James Van Alstyne James Gibson Van Alstyne is an American professional poker player based in Las Vegas, Nevada.Van Alstyne grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated from Ben Franklin High School... |
$125,420 |
| 2nd | Lee Markholt Lee Markholt Lee Markholt Jr. is a professional poker player from Eatonville, Washington. He previously worked as a meat cutter for a family business and has been playing poker professionally for more than 13 years.... |
$65,305 |
| 3rd | Paul Wolfe | $46,505 |
| 4th | Juan Carlos Mortensen Carlos Mortensen Juan Carlos Mortensen is an Ecuadorian professional poker player of Danish descent and the only Hispanic Main Event winner of the World Series of Poker. Mortensen is known for his loose play, bluffing tactics, and interesting chip-stacking style.Mortensen moved from Spain to the United States in... |
$32,125 |
| 5th | Bill Carroll | $22,320 |
| 6th | Kathy Liebert Kathy Liebert Kathleen H. Liebert is an American professional poker player.- Poker :Liebert started her professional poker career as a prop player in Colorado... |
$17,285 |
| 7th | Johannes Murez | $14,100 |
| 8th | Vinh Truong | $12,000 |
| 9th | Jesse Jones | $10,540 |
Poker Royale: Battle of the Sexes
Poker Royale: Battle of the Sexes was the second series, hosted by radio personality Tom LeykisTom Leykis
Thomas Joseph Leykis is an American radio personality. He currently hosts The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis, a weekly lifestyle program dealing with fine food and drink, airing weekends mainly in West Coast markets...
and Kennedy
Lisa Kennedy Montgomery
Lisa Kennedy Montgomery is an American political satirist, radio personality, and former MTV VJ...
. Additional commentary was by Williamson once again, except for preliminary match #6, when Matt Vasgersian
Matt Vasgersian
Matt Vasgersian is an American sportscaster and television host. Vasgersian is a host for the MLB Network and has served as an announcer for NBC Sports' coverage of the Olympics, and on Fox Sports' MLB coverage...
covered for him.
As opposed to the previous series, this one relied on males vs. females, which also incorporated the current scoring format, where players would be awarded points for their teams, depending on how they finished in that particular episode (one point for finishing sixth place to six points for finishing first). The six players (three each of men and women) who had the highest points played in a grand final with the same rules as above, and the highest team score won the tournament.
The men were Chris Moneymaker
Chris Moneymaker
Christopher Bryan Moneymaker is an American poker player who won the main event at the 2003 World Series of Poker . His 2003 win is said to have revolutionized poker because he was the first person to become a world champion by qualifying at an online poker site...
, Paul Wolfe, Greg Raymer
Greg Raymer
Gregory Raymer nicknamed "Fossilman," is a professional poker player. He is best known for winning the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event.-Early life:...
, Amir Vahedi
Amir Vahedi
Amir Vahedi was an Iranian professional poker player born in Tehran, Iran. who won a World Series of Poker bracelet at the 2003 World Series of Poker in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event....
, Layne Flack
Layne Flack
Layne Flack is an American professional poker player, residing in Montana and Nevada.He met up with Johnny Chan who helped him improve his game and, following a big loss, encouraged Flack to ensure he had a lot of rest before a tournament...
and Antonio Esfandiari
Antonio Esfandiari
Antonio Esfandiari is a professional poker player, known for his elaborate chip tricks.-Early life:When he was 9 years old his family moved to San Jose, California...
. The women were Kathy Liebert
Kathy Liebert
Kathleen H. Liebert is an American professional poker player.- Poker :Liebert started her professional poker career as a prop player in Colorado...
, Jennifer Harman
Jennifer Harman
Jennifer C. Harman-Traniello is an American professional poker player.-Early life:Harman was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She started playing poker in 1972 at the age of eight...
, Evelyn Ng
Evelyn Ng
Evelyn Ng is a Canadian professional poker player. She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Early Life:...
, Karina Jett
Karina Jett
Karina Niki Jett is a professional poker player living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She may be best known for her appearances on the GSN series Poker Royale Battle of the Sexes...
, Kristy Gazes
Kristy Gazes
Kristy Gazes is a professional poker player originally from California.Gazes has been playing poker since 1986. She made a living for years as a high stakes cash game player in Los Angeles, California....
and Clonie Gowen
Clonie Gowen
Cycalona Gowen is an American professional poker player, based in Dallas, Texas.-Early life:Gowen was born in Florida, and grew up in Kiowa, Oklahoma. She won Miss Teen McAlester, Oklahoma, at age 15, and as a teenager moved to Corsicana, Texas...
.
Results
| Episode | Winner | Prize | Other Finalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Match 1 | Amir Vahedi Amir Vahedi Amir Vahedi was an Iranian professional poker player born in Tehran, Iran. who won a World Series of Poker bracelet at the 2003 World Series of Poker in the $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event.... |
$20,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 2 | Layne Flack Layne Flack Layne Flack is an American professional poker player, residing in Montana and Nevada.He met up with Johnny Chan who helped him improve his game and, following a big loss, encouraged Flack to ensure he had a lot of rest before a tournament... |
$20,000 |
Antonio Esfandiari Antonio Esfandiari is a professional poker player, known for his elaborate chip tricks.-Early life:When he was 9 years old his family moved to San Jose, California... Evelyn Ng Evelyn Ng is a Canadian professional poker player. She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Early Life:... Kristy Gazes Kristy Gazes is a professional poker player originally from California.Gazes has been playing poker since 1986. She made a living for years as a high stakes cash game player in Los Angeles, California.... Greg Raymer Gregory Raymer nicknamed "Fossilman," is a professional poker player. He is best known for winning the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event.-Early life:... Jennifer Harman Jennifer C. Harman-Traniello is an American professional poker player.-Early life:Harman was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She started playing poker in 1972 at the age of eight... |
| Preliminary Match 3 | Paul Wolfe | $20,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 4 | Antonio Esfandiari | $20,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 5 | Amir Vahedi | $20,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 6 | Greg Raymer | $20,000 |
|
| Grand Final | Kathy Liebert | $55,000 |
|
Poker Royale: Celebrities vs. Poker Pros
Poker Royale: Celebrities vs. Poker Pros featured famous poker players playing against celebrities. As before, the scoring system was used, but was altered (10 points for finishing first down to 0 points for finishing last). The six highest point-scorers would play in the grand final for the championship.The celebrities who participated in this tournament were Lance Bass
Lance Bass
James Lance Bass , best known as Lance Bass, is an American pop singer, dancer, actor, film and television producer, and author. He grew up in Mississippi and rose to fame as the bass singer for the American pop boy band 'N Sync. 'N Sync's success led Bass to work in film and television...
, Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly is an American actress and poker player. She is an Academy Award nominee, and a World Series of Poker Ladies' Event bracelet winner. She is the older sister of actress Meg Tilly.-Early life:...
, Mimi Rogers
Mimi Rogers
Mimi Rogers is an American movie actress and competitive poker player.-Early life:Rogers was born Miriam Spickler in Coral Gables, Florida, the daughter of Philip C...
, Morris Chestnut
Morris Chestnut
Morris L. Chestnut is an American film and television actor. He is known for his roles as teenage father Ricky Baker in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood, groom-to-be Lance Sullivan in the 1999 film The Best Man, as Tracy Reynolds, NBA star in the 2002 film Like Mike, and as the Visitor Ryan in the...
, Patrick Warburton
Patrick Warburton
Patrick John Warburton is an American actor of television, film, and voice. He is best known for his several TV roles, including the title role of The Tick, David Puddy on Seinfeld, the evil Johnny Johnson on NewsRadio, and anchorman Jeb Denton on Less Than Perfect...
and Traci Bingham
Traci Bingham
Traci Bingham is an American actress, model and television personality who is best known for playing Jordan Tate on the television series Baywatch between 1996 and 1998.-Personal life:...
. They faced poker players Scott Fischman
Scott Fischman
Scott Fischman is an American professional poker player based in Las Vegas, Nevada.Fischman grew up in South Jersey and moved to Las Vegas at the age of 12. He was introduced to poker by a schoolfriend and went on to become a poker dealer at the Sahara and the Mirage...
, Kathy Liebert
Kathy Liebert
Kathleen H. Liebert is an American professional poker player.- Poker :Liebert started her professional poker career as a prop player in Colorado...
, Cyndy Violette
Cyndy Violette
Cyndy Violette is an American professional poker player who won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2004.-Early life:...
, Roxanne Rhodes, Paul Darden
Paul Darden
Paul Darden, Jr. is an American professional poker player, rap music promoter, and night club owner from New Haven, Connecticut.-Early years:He was accused of murder at the age of 15, due to mistaken identity but was acquitted...
and "Cowboy" Kenna James
Kenna James
Kenna James is an American professional poker player, television commentator and consultant who currently resides in Costa Mesa, California....
. John Ahlers became the permanent host with this series. Matt Savage and Bill Bruce were the Tournament Directors.
Patrick Warburton was the eventual winner.
Poker Royale: Young Bloods
Poker Royale: Young Bloods was a live special that premiered on May 20, 2005. It initially ran approximately 2 hours 15 minutes. Subsequent airings were edited for a two-hour timeslot. All the players were under the age of 30. Players were awarded cash prizes based on the order of finish. The winner received $20,000, second place $10,000, and third-sixth received $5,000. The players were Michael MizrachiMichael Mizrachi
Michael David Mizrachi is an American professional poker player who won the 2010 World Series of Poker $50,000 Players Championship.. Mizrachi also has two World Poker Tour Titles, and finished 5th in the Main Event of the 2010 World Series of Poker.-Personal life:Mizrachi was born in Miami,...
, David Williams
David Williams (card player)
David Anthony Williams is a professional poker player and popular Magic: The Gathering player.-Personal life:Williams was born in Arlington, Texas. He briefly attended Princeton University before switching to study economics at Southern Methodist University...
, Michael Sandberg
Michael Sandberg
Michael Graham Ruddock Sandberg, Baron Sandberg was Executive Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation 1977-1986.-History:Sandberg was born in Surrey and educated at St Edward's School, Oxford. In 1945 he joined the army and was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the Royal Armoured...
, Erin Ness
Erin Ness
Erin Ness is an American poker player, former photo producer for Maxim Magazine, and television personality, including appearances on GSN's Poker Royale....
, Erica Schoenberg
Erica Schoenberg
Erica Schoenberg is an American professional blackjack and poker player. She is a former model, personal trainer, and professional volleyball player. Schoenberg received professional blackjack training from a member of the MIT Blackjack Team...
, and Scott Fischman. There were two final table events between these players. In the first event, Williams defeated Ness heads-up to take the win. Sandberg took third. In the second event, Williams outlasted Sandberg heads-up. Mizrachi took third.
Poker Royale: Comedians vs. Poker Pros
Poker Royale: Comedians vs. Poker Pros was similar to Celebrities vs. Poker Pros, but with stand-up comedians in lieu of celebritiesCelebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
. This series had more preliminary games than in previous series (ten instead of the previous six). The comedians were Paul Rodriguez
Paul Rodríguez
Paul Rodriguez is a Mexican-American stand-up comedian and actor.-Personal life:Rodriguez was born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, México to Mexican agriculture ranchers.. His family migrated to East Los Angeles, where he enlisted in the military; he was stationed in Iceland and Duluth, Minnesota...
, Robert Wuhl
Robert Wuhl
-Early life:Wuhl was born in Union, New Jersey to a Jewish family, including a father who worked as a produce distributor. After attending Union High School, Wuhl headed to the University of Houston, where he was active in the drama department and the Epsilon-Omicron Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon...
, Mark Curry
Mark Curry (actor)
Mark G. Curry is an American actor and comedian. He is best known as the star of the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and as one of the various hosts of the syndicated series It's Showtime at the Apollo.-Early life and education:...
, Tammy Pescatelli
Tammy Pescatelli
Tammy Pescatelli is a comedian originally from Perry, Ohio. In 2010 she won Comedy Central's Standup Showdown. Tammy is a regular "friend of the show" of the Bob & Tom Show. Pescatelli was on the second and third seasons of Last Comic Standing and finished in the finals both seasons...
, Carol Leifer
Carol Leifer
Carol Leifer is an American comedian, writer, producer and actor whose career as a stand-up comedian started in the 1970s when she was in college. David Letterman discovered her performing in a comedy club in the 1980s and she has since been a guest on Late Night With David Letterman over...
and Sue Murphy
Sue Murphy
Sue Murphy is a stand-up comedian who has worked on such shows as Short Attention Span Theater, The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Comedy Central Presents and Wanda Does It. Shes has also been a producer and writer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Class and Wanda at Large and appeared in the movie Nine Months...
. They faced off against poker players Phil Laak
Phil Laak
Philip "Phil" C. Laak is a professional poker player, now residing in Los Angeles, California. Laak holds a World Poker Tour title, a World Series of Poker bracelet and has appeared on numerous nationally-aired television shows.-Early life:...
, Robert Williamson III, Linda Johnson
Linda Johnson
Linda Johnson is an American professional poker player, journalist and consultant, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was elected into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2011.-Early life:Linda Johnson was born in 1953 in Long Island, New York...
, David Williams, Connie Kim and Kathy Kolberg. Since Williamson was a competitor, "Cowboy" Kenna James took the commentator spot for this series.
Results
| Episode | Winner | Prize | Other Finalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Match 1 | Phil Laak Phil Laak Philip "Phil" C. Laak is a professional poker player, now residing in Los Angeles, California. Laak holds a World Poker Tour title, a World Series of Poker bracelet and has appeared on numerous nationally-aired television shows.-Early life:... |
$5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 2 | Phil Laak | $5,000 |
Carol Leifer Carol Leifer is an American comedian, writer, producer and actor whose career as a stand-up comedian started in the 1970s when she was in college. David Letterman discovered her performing in a comedy club in the 1980s and she has since been a guest on Late Night With David Letterman over... Robert Williamson III Robert Williamson III is an American poker player from Dallas, Texas.Williamson grew up with three sisters and his best friend, Chris Caywood in Granbury, Texas and received B.B.A. degrees in finance and real estate from Angelo State University in San Angelo.He began playing aged 10 or 11, after... |
| Preliminary Match 3 | Carol Leifer | $5,000 |
Linda Johnson Linda Johnson is an American professional poker player, journalist and consultant, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was elected into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2011.-Early life:Linda Johnson was born in 1953 in Long Island, New York... Tammy Pescatelli Tammy Pescatelli is a comedian originally from Perry, Ohio. In 2010 she won Comedy Central's Standup Showdown. Tammy is a regular "friend of the show" of the Bob & Tom Show. Pescatelli was on the second and third seasons of Last Comic Standing and finished in the finals both seasons... Mark Curry (actor) Mark G. Curry is an American actor and comedian. He is best known as the star of the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and as one of the various hosts of the syndicated series It's Showtime at the Apollo.-Early life and education:... |
| Preliminary Match 4 | Kathy Kolberg | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 5 | Robert Williamson III | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 6 | Tammy Pescatelli | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 7 | Linda Johnson | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 8 | Linda Johnson | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 9 | David Williams | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 10 | Mark Curry | $5,000 |
|
| Wild Card Match | Kathy Kolberg | None |
|
| Grand Final | Phil Laak | $55,000 |
|
Poker Royale: The James Woods Gang vs the Unabombers
Poker Royale: The James Woods Gang vs. the Unabombers featured two teams featuring celebrities and poker pros. Once again, the point system was used, but this time points were combined into a total score for the whole team as opposed to scores for individual players. The James Woods Gang was led by celebrity and poker player James WoodsJames Woods
James Howard Woods is an American film, stage and television actor. Woods is known for starring in critically acclaimed films such as Once Upon a Time in America, Salvador, Nixon, Ghosts of Mississippi, Casino, and in the television legal drama Shark. He has won three Emmy Awards, and has gained...
, and had celebrities Nicole Sullivan
Nicole Sullivan
Nicole Julianne Sullivan is an American actress, comedian and voice artist. Sullivan is best known for her six seasons on the sketch comedy series MADtv and five seasons on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens.She has played a recurring character on Scrubs and voices the villainous Shego in...
and Bob Goen
Bob Goen
Robert Kuehl "Bob" Goen is an American game show emcee and television personality, best known for his work on Entertainment Tonight between 1993 and 2004...
, plus poker players Kathy Liebert, Ted Forrest
Ted Forrest
Ted Forrest is an American professional poker player, currently residing in Las Vegas, Nevada.- Tournament Wins:...
, and Susie Isaacs
Susie Isaacs
Susan J. Isaacs is an American professional poker player, who has been based in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1986....
. The Unabombers were led by Phil Laak. His team had celebrities Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly is an American actress and poker player. She is an Academy Award nominee, and a World Series of Poker Ladies' Event bracelet winner. She is the older sister of actress Meg Tilly.-Early life:...
, Danny Masterson
Danny Masterson
Daniel Peter "Danny" Masterson is an American actor and DJ best known for his role as Steven Hyde in That '70s Show.-Early life:...
and Gail O'Grady
Gail O'Grady
Gail Ann O'Grady is an American television actress. She is best known for her roles as Donna Abandando on NYPD Blue and as Helen Pryor on American Dreams...
, plus poker players Hasan Habib
Hasan Habib
Hasan Habib is a Pakistani American professional poker player.During his early years in Pakistan, Habib was the Pakistan 14-and-under National Tennis Champion. Habib went to America at the age of 18 to study business at the University of Redlands. He also once owned a nationwide chain of video...
and Cyndy Violette. Matt Savage and Bill Bruce returned as the Tournament Directors.
Results
| Episode | Winner | Prize | Other Finalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Match 1 | Cyndy Violette Cyndy Violette Cyndy Violette is an American professional poker player who won a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2004.-Early life:... |
$5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 2 | Hasan Habib Hasan Habib Hasan Habib is a Pakistani American professional poker player.During his early years in Pakistan, Habib was the Pakistan 14-and-under National Tennis Champion. Habib went to America at the age of 18 to study business at the University of Redlands. He also once owned a nationwide chain of video... |
$5,000 |
Nicole Sullivan Nicole Julianne Sullivan is an American actress, comedian and voice artist. Sullivan is best known for her six seasons on the sketch comedy series MADtv and five seasons on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens.She has played a recurring character on Scrubs and voices the villainous Shego in... Jennifer Tilly Jennifer Tilly is an American actress and poker player. She is an Academy Award nominee, and a World Series of Poker Ladies' Event bracelet winner. She is the older sister of actress Meg Tilly.-Early life:... Gail O'Grady Gail Ann O'Grady is an American television actress. She is best known for her roles as Donna Abandando on NYPD Blue and as Helen Pryor on American Dreams... Susie Isaacs Susan J. Isaacs is an American professional poker player, who has been based in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1986.... Bob Goen Robert Kuehl "Bob" Goen is an American game show emcee and television personality, best known for his work on Entertainment Tonight between 1993 and 2004... |
| Preliminary Match 3 | Ted Forrest | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 4 | Kathy Liebert | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 5 | Kathy Liebert | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 6 | James Woods | $5,000 |
|
| Grand Final | Phil Laak | $25,000 * |
|
Poker Royale: Battle of the Ages
Poker Royale: Battle of the Ages was the most recent series of Poker Royale. This one featured six poker players over the age of 60 playing against six players under the age of 30. The older players were T. J. CloutierT. J. Cloutier
Thomas James "T.J." Cloutier is a professional poker player from Richardson, Texas. He was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 2006.-Early years:...
, "Action" Dan Harrington
Dan Harrington
Dan Harrington is a professional poker player, best known for winning the main event world championship at the 1995 World Series of Poker. He has earned one World Poker Tour title, two WSOP bracelets, and over six million dollars in tournament cashes in his poker career...
, "Miami" John Cernuto
John Cernuto
"Miami" John Cernuto is an American professional poker player based in Las Vegas, Nevada, specialising in Omaha hi-lo events.-Early years:...
, Barbara Enright
Barbara Enright
Barbara Enright is an American professional poker player, motivational speaker, and Editor-in-Chief of Woman Poker Player magazine. She has won three bracelets at the World Series of Poker and has made it to the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event final table.Enright was the first woman to win an...
, Maureen Feduniak and Wendeen Eolis. The younger players were Michael Gracz
Michael Gracz
Maciek Gracz is a Polish professional poker player, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.Gracz learned poker from his father and played regularly whilst studying at North Carolina State University....
, Dutch Boyd, Erin Ness
Erin Ness
Erin Ness is an American poker player, former photo producer for Maxim Magazine, and television personality, including appearances on GSN's Poker Royale....
, Evelyn Ng
Evelyn Ng
Evelyn Ng is a Canadian professional poker player. She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Early Life:...
, Jennifer Leigh
Jennifer Leigh
Jennifer Leigh is an American professional poker player.Leigh was introduced to poker by Robert Boyd years after they met each other on Internet Relay Chat....
and Kasey Thompson. A bounty was introduced for each episode. Matt Savage and Bill Bruce were, once again, the Tournament Directors.
Results
| Episode | Winner | Prize | Other Finalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Match 1 | Jennifer Leigh Jennifer Leigh Jennifer Leigh is an American professional poker player.Leigh was introduced to poker by Robert Boyd years after they met each other on Internet Relay Chat.... |
$5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 2 | Michael Gracz Michael Gracz Maciek Gracz is a Polish professional poker player, based in Raleigh, North Carolina.Gracz learned poker from his father and played regularly whilst studying at North Carolina State University.... |
$5,000 |
Barbara Enright Barbara Enright is an American professional poker player, motivational speaker, and Editor-in-Chief of Woman Poker Player magazine. She has won three bracelets at the World Series of Poker and has made it to the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event final table.Enright was the first woman to win an... |
| Preliminary Match 3 | Dan Harrington 1, 2 | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 4 | Erin Ness 3 | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 5 | T. J. Cloutier 2 | $5,000 |
|
| Preliminary Match 6 | Jennifer Leigh 2 | $5,000 |
|
| Grand Final | Dan Harrington | $50,000 |
|
1 $1,000 bounty on this player
2 bounty winner
3 joint bounty winners
4 $400 bounty on this player
Poker Royale: Young Bloods II
Poker Royale: Young Bloods II was another special featuring poker players under 30, and aired on December 9, 2005. This special featured the same players and format as the first Young Bloods.Kenna James once again did commentary instead of Williamson for this special.
Airings
GSN aired new episodes of Poker Royale every Friday evening from 10-11PM EST, part of their Casino Night block (the block has since moved to Mondays, and does not feature Poker Royale). Episodes of previous seasons are rerun occasionally on GSN., GSN does not intend to do any more Poker Royale shows. A cash game
Ring game
Ring game may refer to:*Ring game , a general class of multi-player pocket billiards gambling games*Ring game, a.k.a. cash game, a poker game played with "real" chips and each player's own money at stake, as opposed to a poker tournament with a prize money pool...
poker show titled High Stakes Poker
High Stakes Poker
High Stakes Poker is a cash game poker television program broadcast by the cable television network GSN in the United States. The poker variant played on the show is no limit Texas hold 'em. It premiered on January 16, 2006 and ended on December 17, 2007 and it returns back on March 1, 2009 and is...
premiered on January 16, 2006 on GSN. This series is unrelated to Poker Royale.