High Stakes Poker

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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.

The first season of High Stakes Poker began broadcast in January 2006 and consisted of 13 episodes. The second season, consisting of 16 episodes, premiered on Monday, June 5, 2006. Card Player Magazine reported that High Stakes Poker would return for a third season, and that GSN invited 2006 World Series of Poker main event winner Jamie Gold to take part.^[1]

The third season of High Stakes Poker was recently taped at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. It premiered on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 9PM EST. New players this season include Jamie Gold, Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Patrik Antonius, Paul Wasicka, David Benyamine, Brian Townsend and others. Returning players from previous seasons include Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Sammy Farha, Phil Laak, Jennifer Harman, Barry Greenstein, Erick Lindgren, Mike Matusow, Brad Booth and others.^[1]

1 Format
2 Players
- 2.1 Other players in attendance, not playing
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Format

High Stakes Poker is unique among televised poker series as it does not take place in a tournament setting. Instead, the program shows a series of high stakes ring games. The minimum buy-in to this game is $100,000 (in Season 1, Daniel Negreanu bought in for $1,000,000).

Unlike tournament poker, the chips involved represent real money. If a player should lose 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. There is no ending per se. Time just runs out on that particular episode. Also, unlike other televised poker, blinds and antes are constant, which is standard with cash games. On the show, the structure is blinds of $300/$600 with a $100 ante each hand.

The host is A.J. Benza alongside analyst, poker pro, and actor Gabe Kaplan. The players involved in the series are generally well-known high stakes players or poker pros, with some exceptions. The show was created by Henry Orenstein, who also serves as the show's executive producer. Regarding season one, Daniel Negreanu confirmed on 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.^[2]