Poker fans have long been enjoying the on-screen magnetism of NBCs Poker After Dark. This glorious series of insights into poker gaming has captivated the crowds on stage and audiences at home – across the world. Fans of Texas Hold’em poker gaming are particularly impressed with this show’s offerings.  The first season was broadcast on the 1^st January 2007 by presenter Shana Hiatt. This charismatic poker presenter held her position for Season 2 and was replaced in Season 3 by Marianela Pereya. By the time Season 4 rolled around, Leeann Tweeden was in pole position. Voice-over commentary for the entire series was provided courtesy of Oliver Nejad.

Structure of Poker After Dark

The series was initially structured as a contest pitting 6 leading poker professional against one another in a week of intensive No Limit Texas Hold’em gaming action. The pot was staked at some $120k. And because it’s a winner-takes-all packet, the competition was intense. The buy-in for each of the 6 poker pros is a whopping $20,000.  Poker After Dark determines a winner by the end of the 5^th show. There is a great deal of commentary interspersed within the gaming action, courtesy of players and the voice-over. The show continually innovates and provides players with many entertaining formats. By the beginning of Season 4, the producers of Poker After Dark decided to introduce NL Games and a Double Elimination Heads Up contest between the final 4 of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

Poker After Dark in 2011

• Week 10:  Episodes 55-60 take place between September 12^th and September 17^th.  $100,000 is on offer and Andy Bloch, Annette Obrestad, Justin Smith, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Hellmuth and Huck Seed are competing.
• Week 11: Episodes 61-66 take place between September 19^th and September 24^th. It’s a $20,000 Sit & Go with Mike Dappen, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow, Chris Ferguson, Erica Schoenberg and Jennifer Harman.
• Week 12:  Episodes 67-72 take place between November 21^st and November 26^th. There is $200,000 up for grabs. David Peat, Eli Elezra, David Oppenheim, Patrik Antonius, Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan will be competing.
• Week 13: Episodes 73- 78 take place from November 28^th to December 3^rd.  A good tally of $200,000 is up for grabs. Tom Dwan, David Peat, Patrik Antonius, Phil Ivey, David Oppenheim and  Eli Elezra are slated to compete.

Players with the Most Wins in Poker After Dark Include the Following:

• Johnny Chan won 4 times and appeared 6 times. (His win rate was 67%).
• Howard Lederer won 4 times and appeared 12 times. (His win rate was 33%).
• Clonie Gowen won 3 times and appeared 5 times. (Her win rate was 60%).
• Gavin Smith won 3 times and appeared 5 times. (His win rate was 60%).
• Gabe Kaplan won 3 times and appeared 6 times. (His win rate was 50%).
• John Juanda won 2 times and appeared 5 times. (His win rate was 40%).
• Vanessa Rousso won 2 times and appeared 4 times. (Her win rate was 50%).