The finale has aired, Phil Laak was the champion. Here are some pictures that were taken during the filming. This was a fun series to be part of. I want to thank Matt Savage for sharing the role of Tournament Director with me.
Related Articles:
Phil 'The Unabomber' Laak Becomes Two-Time Champion In GSN’S Poker Royale: The James Woods Gang vs. The Unabombers
October 29, 2005 – Phil “The Unabomber” Laak has struck again in GSN’s THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS IN POKER ROYALE. In a battle of strategy and luck, the hooded and sunglass wearing captain of “The Unabombers” team went heads-up against top female poker player Kathy Liebert for “The James Woods Gang” and took home the final grand prize of $50,000.
This marks Laak’s second win in POKER ROYALE. He previously placed first in POKER ROYALE: COMEDIANS VS. PROS, beating out 12 other players. Liebert, who is a GSN two-time champion on POKER ROYALE (THE WPPA CHAMPIONSHIP and BATTLE OF THE SEXES) went into the final round as the top point earner for her team.
In the final hand of the game, Liebert held pocket eights, with Laak sitting on ace and queen of spades. In usual “Unabomber” fashion, he raised his hood and moved all in, with Liebert following. The flop was 9-7-6 all spades, giving Laak the nut flush. When the turn was a king of hearts, the final card was meaningless.
Making it to the final table was no easy feat. The captain’s choice format meant that players had to perform in the early rounds and they also had to earn their team captains trust that they could do it under the pressure of the final table. Laak chose Hassan Habib and Cyndy Violette, and aside from Liebert and himself, Woods chose Ted Forrest.
Playing in previous matches for “The James Woods Gang” were Kathy Liebert (ranked in the top 20 players of all time, winner of POKER ROYALE: BATTLE OF THE SEXES), Bob Goen (Entertainment Tonight), Ted Forrest (five World Series of Poker bracelets), Susie Isaacs (two World Series of Poker bracelets) and Nicole Sullivan (Hot Properties, Mad TV).
Representing “The Unabombers” were Jennifer Tilly (2005 WSOP Women’s Final Table bracelet winner), Cyndy Violette (1st Place 2004 World Series of Poker Seven Card Stud), Danny Masterson (That 70’s Show), Hassan Habib (2nd Place 2004 World Poker Tour Championship) and Gail O’Grady (NYPD Blue, American Dreams).
THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS IN POKER ROYALE is part of GSN’s Casino Night, airing every Friday at 10:00PM ET/PT. POKER ROYALE: BATTLE OF THE AGES premieres Friday, November 4th at 10:00PM ET/PT. The seven-episode series features six top players over 60 competing against six best players under 30 for a grand prize of $50,000.
Source: GSN Press Release
http://blog.billbruce.info
Series Premieres Friday, November 4 at 10:00PM ET/PT Featuring Top Six Players Over 60 Against Top Six Players Under 30-Years-Old,/p>
(Santa Monica, CA) – The test of time and experience goes heads up against the hottest young poker players when GSN’s POKER ROYALE: BATTLE OF THE AGES premieres with two back-to-back episodes on Friday, November 4 at 10:00PM ET/PT. Hoping to send the youngsters into an early retirement, the veteran poker masters will showcase their skills against the newest faces in the game.
The seven-episode series features two teams of six players each. During each match, three players from each team play a game of No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em and earn points based on how they finish the game. The top three point earners from each team will battle it out at the final table in the two-hour grand finale, with the winner taking home a prize of $50,000.
Representing the poker masters are TJ Cloutier (six World Series of Poker bracelets), Dan Harrington (appeared at back-to-back final tables at the 2003 and 2004 World Series of Poker where he won over $2,000,000), “Miami” John Cernuto (three World Series of Poker bracelets), Barbara Enright (best all around 2002 Legends of Poker), Maureen Feduniak (1st Place 2003 World Poker Tour Ladies Night Main Event) and Wendeen Eolis (first woman to finish in the money at the World Series of Poker, 4th place at the World Poker Tour Ladies Night II Invitational).
Playing for the young poker stars are Michael “The Kid” Gracz (1st place 2005 World Poker Tour Party Poker.com IV and World Series of Poker bracelet winner), Dutch Boyd (tied for 11th place in the 2003 World Series of Poker main event), Erin Ness (second highest female in the 2004 World Series of Poker and 2nd place in POKER ROYALE: YOUNG BLOODS), Evelyn Ng (2nd Place World Poker Tour Ladies Night), Jennifer Leigh (22 year-old who has won five multi-tournaments), Kasey Thompson (Associate Publisher of All In Magazine).
Calling the action will be host John Ahlers. Poker analysis will be provided by professional poker player Robert Williamson III and sideline reporting by Lisa Dergan.
POKER ROYALE: BATTLE OF THE AGES is the seventh installment of GSN’s “POKER ROYALE” franchise which has included the WPPA CHAMPIONSHIP, BATTLE OF THE SEXES, CELEBRITIES VS. PROS, YOUNG BLOODS SPECIAL LIVE, COMEDIANS VS. PROS and THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS. The program airs every Friday with two back-to-back episodes as part of GSN’s Casino Night.
GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries, alternative sports programs and casino games. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN has allowed viewers to play-along with on-air programming via their computers and GSN.com for some time. The recent launch of GSNi (GSN Interactive) has taken interactivity to the next level, affording viewers the chance to play-along with TV shows using only their remote controls. Reaching more than 57 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN’s press website at corp.gsn.com.
Source: GSN press release.
