GSN DOUBLES DOWN FOR SECOND SEASON OF HIGHLY- RATED 'WORLD SERIES OF BLACKJACK' LAS VEGAS' GOLDEN NUGGET AND CASINO HOSTS INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT World's Top Blackjack Players Including Kevin Blackwood and MIT Mike Compete for $500,000 In Total Prizes and Blackjack Champion Title (Santa Monica, CA) -GSN has teamed with the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for the second season of WORLD SERIES OF BLACKJACK, the network's highly-rated casino franchise. WORLD SERIES OF BLACKJACK will feature 40 of the world's best amateur and professional blackjack players and will award $500,000 in total prize money. The grand prize for the invitational tournament is $250,000 to the winner-up from last year's $100,000. Notable players at the Golden Nugget tournament include MIT Mike, last year's winner, Stanford Wong, and Charles Gorson among others. The 13-episode series will premiere January 11 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The announcement was made today by Ian Valentine, Senior Vice President of Programming, GSN. "We have a stellar lineup this year of the best blackjack players in the world at a premier location, the legendary Golden Nugget," said Valentine in making the announcement. "We anticipate exciting episodes each week as the players demonstrate their expertise and skill against the house and competitors. We are confident that just like last season, each episode will be thrilling for viewers until the last card is dealt." WORLD SERIES OF BLACKJACK will continue with the same strategy, excitement and drama of high-stakes tournament play, while observing the basic casino rules. The players will compete against each other based on their strategic manner and amount they wager on each hand. In every round, each player will be staked with $100,000 in tournament chips. Episodes will culminate with one finalist--the player with the most money at the end of each show advancing to semi-final rounds. There will be five players in the preliminary and semi-final rounds and four players in the wildcard playoff and final rounds. The first place winner will win $250,000 in addition to their winnings earned in preliminary and semi final rounds. As with the first season, TV sports personality Matt Vasgersian (CELEBRITY BLACKJACK) returns as host along with Max Rubin, professional blackjack player and gambling consultant who will provide humor, blackjack tips and insight into the players' strategy as the color commentator for the series. Also returning from last season are finalists such as season one champion MIT Mike, "Hollywood" Dave Stann (who also serves as the dealer on GSN'S CELEBRITY BLACKJACK), Regina Guzior-who is legally blind and Anthony Curtis-publisher Las Vegas Advisor. WORLD SERIES OF BLACKJACK is executive produced by Paul Abeyta and Peter Kaikko for Montana Productions. The first season of WORLD SERIES OF BLACKJACK doubled GSN's time period ratings average among Adults 18-49, Males 18-49, and Males 25-54 while improving the audience composition of the key 18-49 demographic by 43%. About Golden Nugget Las Vegas The Golden Nugget Las Vegas is one of the premier hotel-casinos in Nevada and the largest in downtown Las Vegas, offering 1,805 deluxe guest rooms and 102 plush suites and penthouses. Winner of the AAA Four-Diamond Award for 27 consecutive years, the Golden Nugget is the most luxurious resort in downtown Las Vegas, and consistently receives critical acclaim for exceeding customer expectations. The property is a foundation member of the Fremont Street Experience, which was developed in 1996 to attract and entertain visitors to the area. A 38,000 square-foot casino space features more than 1,208 of the most popular slot and video poker machines, 68 table games including blackjack, roulette and craps, as well as keno and a complete race and sports book and a poker room. Amenities of the property include headline entertainment, five world-class restaurants, a complete spa and salon, 12 meeting and banquet rooms accommodating up to 400 people, and a year-round outdoor swimming pool with cabanas. Additional information and online reservations and travel packages are available at www.goldennugget.com. GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries and casino games. GSN is the industry leader in interactivity and as such allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via GSN.com. Reaching 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. -GSN-
Did anyone from the site get in? Except for MIT Mike who did make some posts a while ago. I guess I need to cancel my plane tickets for this show.
Well, I guess I don't have to keep waiting by the phone anymore. Things seemed to be going pretty good what with a call-back and all, until they got my pictures and saw what a handsome devil I am. Ken, I am assuming that you are back in again. Good Luck. I will be cruising through The Hub City on my way to Biloxi tomorrow. I might see you if you play that Wed. tournament at the President.
Yes, I'm returning I am indeed invited back, as many have speculated. As usual, their selection process is a complete mystery to me. It's definitely not based on tournament skill. I expect that I would be on the sidelines if I had not made the finals in the first show, 'cause I'm definitely not pretty enough for TV! Very few of my dozen or more player recommendations were selected. In fact, so far I know of only one, but I haven't heard about several players for sure yet. Rebel2, I actually was considering playing the Prez this week, but I'm leaving early the next morning for Vegas so I decided against it. Good luck down there.
Selection Process GSN evidently wants a mix of blackjack players. If they were only looking for skilled tournament players, there is no way I would have made it on the show. What little I know about the complex nuances of tournament play could easily fit onto the back of Kenneth Smith's business card. However, I think they also want a blend of some experienced card counters, as well as young good looking types who improve ratings and draw viewers. I missed out on the latter, but I do have some interesting experiences from my time in the trenches as a high stakes card counter. Ultimately the producers want a collection of players with some good and diverse back stories to put more punch in the show and give Max Rubin something to talk about.
Kenny Einiger returns to WSOB2 I just got word that Kenny Einiger will be back to compete in the second season of WSOB. Kenny's been hot as a firecracker lately, with first place finishes in big events at TI and Rio, and a second place finish at Bellagio. I'm afraid, very afraid...
And someone else too? Rumor has it that one of our Texas posters has also been invited. Would you care to confirm or deny this?
Low profile I was keeping a low profile about it. Another Texan and member here, (Swog) was invited as well. Lots of tough players will be there plus the added presser of TV, and we all know any and all mistakes any of us make will be pointed out on this site. Lets see who will be there, Ken Smith (blackjackinfo.com and this site), Stanford Wong (the man who wrote the book on tournament play), Anthony Curtis (Las Vegas Advisor and blackjack expert), Kevin Blackwood (author and blackjack expert), MIT Mike (defending champion and member of the famous MIT blackjack team), Micky Rosa (another member of the MIT blackjack team and finalist on the first WSOB), Kenny Eineger (Finalist in the first LV Hiton Million Dollar tournament, plus all that Ken S. just mentioned in his last post), Henry Tambruin (Winner TX tournament 1st Super-Mini), and writer for Casino Player mag., also has www.blackjackinsider.com site, Hollywood Dave (2nd place in the first WSOB), Joe Pane (winner of the $100,000 Stardust, winner of one of this years monthly qualifiers at the LV Hilton and a number of other big events). These are just a few of the contestants for WSOB II. After reading Kevin Blackwoods explanation of the selection process I'm not sure how I got in, (Skilled tournament player or young good looking) they're must be one other choice as well in their selection process...LOL.
'nother low profile Add one more Texan to the list of players that will be there. Win one tournament and you get all sorts of offers
Hummm? Gee I wonder who MDBJ II could be?...LOL You gotta love his handle, simple and to the point. I hope I can change mine next year from Txtourplayer to MDBJ III...LOL!
Boy they let anyone into these things! J/K Well, feel free to add one more name to the list. Yes...... they let me in as well. Total coincidence with family vacation. I swear!!!
Dinner anyone? It seems most of us will be in Vegas by Monday, if not sooner. Just wondering if we wanted to try and do a dinner gathering like we did in May. Monday night seems like it could be the safest. Let me know what you think.
Way to go Angie! If I believe that are you going to sell me some swamp land too? With you, JoeP, TX, & Swog at least there are a few members of BJT board represented (to go with the celebrities - Ken, Hollywood etc.) Guess I'll be waiting until May to attend another get together. Hope you guys have a great time! Congrats to you all!
Thank you for the congrats Gayle! Hey Gayle, Actually I have some swamp land in Texas that I can sell you pretty cheap. Did anyone ever tell you it is good for farming? I can give you a top rate bargain! J/K. I wish you could be there. It won't be the same without you!
