Intercontinental Poker Championship Airs Saturdays on CBS

The international flavor of the event is accentuated prominently in the CBS Sports broadcasts, with the display of each of the country's flag and the playing of each country's national anthem as part of the event presentation.

"Professional poker players have been elevated to rock star status," added Negreanu. "Today they're recognized as celebrities around the world. This event depicts poker as a real sport and like the Olympics, fans will be able to relate to each player representing their country."

Veteran sportscaster Jeff Medders relates the play-by-play action, while poker analyst and star television/movie actor Gabe Kaplan provides expert commentary.

Henry Orenstien, creater and producer of the IPC and inventor of the "hole cam", came up with the idea to create an Olympic poker tournament. He, and his colleagues, Mori Eskandani and Eric Drache, pitched the idea to CBS, promising an all-star line-up. After reviewing the roster and elimination structure, CBS executives agreed to take on the task of televising the event nationally. Says Orenstein, "We've succeeded in getting a major network to strengthen poker's popularity."

The IPC tournament format is very unique. Twenty-one players are divided into three tables of seven through a random draw. Each table plays a freezeout style tournament with that table's winner advancing to the second round. The eighteen players who did not advance are divided into three tables of six players and compete for a second-chance freezeout. The three winners from each freezeout advance with the initial three into the second round.

In the second round, the six qualifying contestants play another freezeout, with the winner advancing to the final round. As in the first round, the remaining five players get a second-chance. Two winners advance to the finals.

The two finalists go heads-up in the best-of-three matches to determine the winner. The runner-up receives $150,000. The champion takes home $350,000, a trophy, and the right to be named the Intercontinental Poker Champion for his country.

"Attempts have been made in the past to bring together the top poker champions from around the globe, but they've never been successful until now." Said Daniel "The Kid" Negreanu, representing Canada at the IPC. "We, in the industry, have so much respect for Henry (Orenstein), and it was because of him that this great group of players came together."

Here are the countries represented at the IPC, along with their players:

Australia: Antanas Guoga
Canada: Daniel Negreanu
China: Johnny Chan
Costa Rica: Humberto Brenes
England: Dave Ulliott
France: David Benyamine
Ireland: Don O'Dea
Israel: Eli Elezra
Italy: Marco Traniello
Japan: Yosh Nakano
Lebanon: Sammy Farha
Mexico: Refugio Quintero
Norway: Thor Hansen
Pakistan: Hasan Habib
Russia: Ralph Perry
Spain: Carlos Mortensen
South Africa: Stephen Wolff
South Korea: Jimmy Cha
Sweden: Chris Bjorin
United States: Brunson, Doyle
Vietnam: Chau Giang

"This is the first time a nationalistic pride has been at stake," said Gabe Kaplan during a phone conference, "and it was really interesting to watch these players and see how much each wanted to win for their own country."

Ten-time World Series of Poker Champion Doyle Brunson was asked his thoughts on poker's growing popularity. "Nobody in their right mind ever thought poker would evolve to where it is today. I've been playing poker for fifty years, and professional players used to be outcasts." Brunson explains further, "Now, we're representing our countries in an Intercontinental Poker event. It's flattering and it's an honor."

The following is the CBS Sports IPC Telecast Schedule

Saturday, June 17, 5-6 p.m. ET
Saturday, June 24, 4:30 - 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, June 25, 5-6 p.m. ET
Saturday, July 1, 5-6 p.m. ET
Sunday, July 2, 3-4 p.m. ET
Saturday, July 8, 5-6 p.m. ET
Saturday, July 15, 3-4 p.m. ET
Saturday, July 22, 5-6 p.m. ET


For more information, go to http://www.sportsline.com/cbssports/story/9497647

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