Cash-game Format Returns to 'Poker After Dark'

This week's edition of NBC's popular late-night series, "Poker After Dark," returns to the cash-game format tried only once before in the series' extensive run to date. While the show is traditionally televised as a week-long, six-player single-table tournament, this week's invitees will instead square off in a $200/400 no-limit hold'em cash game, with a $100,000 minimum buy-in.

The lineup for this week's cash game is one of the strongest in the show's history. The six cash-game contestants are Patrik Antonius, Howard Lederer, Doyle Brunson, Gabe Kaplan, Eli Elezra, and amateur Dee Tiller. Tiller, a Texas businessman who refers to himself as the "Ten Pound Bass," is the least known of the week's contestants despite being a veteran high-stakes – if recreational – player. The other five players are each long-time participants in the biggest cash games in Las Vegas, including the venerated games in Bobby's Room at the Bellagio.

As always, the five weeknight episodes will air late nights Monday through Friday (technically very early mornings Tuesday through Saturday) at 2:05 am ET/PT. The special "Director's Cut" Saturday-night episode airs immediately following "Saturday Night Live" at 1:00 am late Saturday night (early Sunday morning). Leeann Tweeden serves as the on-set hostess and live interviewer.

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Photo courtesy of Stephanie Moore