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You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em to be a successful poker player. For most of us, the experience is more fun when you’re just a spectator instead of an active participant, and those heartbreaking losses don’t affect your pocketbook personally.

Luckily for such viewers, the 2023 World Series of Poker is underway! Users can watch live and on-demand Wsop action through the PokerGO streaming service and YouTube page, but if you’re looking for even more free poker content, look no further than Sling Freestream.

Watch Now $0 / month sling.com What Free Poker Channels Does Sling Freestream Offer?

Sling Freestream is a recent addition from Sling, which allows users to watch free ad-supported TV (Fast) channels whether they are paid Sling subscribers or not. Its current channel count stands at over 400, and there’s seemingly something new to watch on the platform every week.

Hell must be freezing over ... 'cause an extremely hot woman that has been connected to Tiger Woods tells TMZ Sports the two are actually Not banging ... and get this, Tiger never even tried. We spoke to Turkish bikini model Tugba Ercan, who has been linked to Woods ever since she posted a picture of the two hanging out at a World Poker Tour event last week. Ercan says several websites ran with the story assuming...

Twitch is branching out to support one of the oldest and most popular forms of card games around. The video game streaming site purchased by Amazon back in August 2014 for $970 million has introduced the ability for poker players to broadcast their sessions.

According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Twitch started online poker streaming in November 2014. Like Twitch’s video game (or game developer) broadcasters, poker players can answer viewer questions during the live streams and provide feedback on their personal poker strategies. A four-minute delay prevents opponents from sneaking peeks at other players’ hands. Twitch’s Poker Partnerships Lead Scott Ball said some of these card game broadcasts already received over one million views.

“Like videogames [sic], poker is a game and we’ve grown that into a huge business,” Ball said to WSJ.

The move into poker streaming should help Twitch attract more advertisers from the gambling world, as...

A trip aboard a luxury yacht with Kyle Richards turned into a nightmarish vacation for Yolanda Foster on Tuesday's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills when she learned her daughter had been arrested for a DUI. "This yacht is gorgeous," said an excited Richards, who went to Mallorca, Spain, with her husband and two of her daughters. "I can't believe we're going to float around on this for one week in the Mediterranean." When Foster joined Richards, the two toured Spain, went tubing - the Dutch model referred to hers as a "bagel" - and jumped off the side of the yacht,...

If you're in Austin, Texas, you can see it tonight, with producer Jay Rosenkrantz in person for a post-screening question-and-answer session, but if you're anywhere else in the world, you can take a gamble and watch Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker right this minute. Now, the gamble is that you might not like the movie. To mitigate that risk, let's start with the official synopsis: Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker is a coming-of-age story for an entire generation of young poker professionals. The film follows Danielle, a young mother from rural Minnesota who used online poker to support her family; Tony, a Las Vegas tournament pro who co-hosts the World Poker Tour on television; and Martin, a world-traveler from...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

So much for a poker face. Tiger Woods clearly couldn't disguise his enjoyment over the weekend while participating in a poker tournament that bares his name, Tiger's Poker Night, an annual event presented by the World Poker Tour benefiting the Tiger Woods Foundation. And who can blame him? After all, lovely girlfriend Lindsey Vonn, decked out in a beautiful blue dress, was on hand for support. In fact, a source tells E! News that Vonn was never far from her man's side. Not to mention, Vonn's equally attractive sister Karin also attended. At one point, while talking Woods up to reporters, Vonn was asked if the golfer would prove victorious. "He wins everything,"...

Tiger Woods is doing good -- and evidently having a very, very good time doing it! With girlfriend Lindsey Vonn at his side, the golfer, 37, hosted his annual Tiger's Poker Night at Moorea Beach Club Beachside Casino at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Friday, May 17. Presented by the World Poker Tour, the $10,000 buy-in poker tournament benefits Woods' titular foundation. Before the bash began, a hotel employee spotted Woods entering the casino with a coterie of women, including Vonn, 28 -- and already appeared [...]...

The game of poker changed in 2003 when Chris Moneymaker won the Wsop Main Event. A new generation of poker players dedicated themselves to poker tournaments and success at the tournament level is how most players are judged nowadays.

Below are the most successful players in poker history. Ironically enough, they are also some of the most successful tournament players of all-time.

1. Phil Hellmuth - Phil Hellmuth is the current all-time record holder for World Series of Poker bracelets with an amazing 13 titles. He is also the only man in Wsop history to have won both the Wsop Main Event in Las Vegas and the Wsop Europe Main Event.

2. Doyle Brunson – Known as both “Texas Dolly” and the “Godfather of Poker”, Brunson is one of the last original road gamblers from the 1960′s and 1970′s and is a ten-time Wsop bracelet winner, including winning the Main Event in both 1976 and 1977.

3. Phil Ivey...

TV hit Dynamo: Magician Impossible has conjured a second series on Watch.

The fly-on-the-wall documentary following the life of Steven Frayne returns on Thursday, July 5, with a four-part series as the magician comes to terms with his success.

In the first episode, we follow Dynamo's whirlwind life over the past six months as he visits the World Poker Tour in Venice and amazes people across the UK.

Also in the series, Dynamo visits Las Vegas, Rio and Los Angeles where he dazzles members of the public and several celebrities with his latest stunts.

Steven Frayne emerged as a star after the first series became a huge hit, attracting an average of 1.7million viewers on Watch, winning Best Entertainment Programme at the Broadcast Awards and gaining a nomination for Most Popular Entertainment Show at the 2012 National Television Awards.

Dynamo has amassed more than half a million Facebook likes and has over 700,000 followers on Twitter.

Dynamo is back! The magic sensation, who broke ratings records and left audiences stunned with his first series last year, is back for a second run with more tricks, more celebs and even bigger stunts. The show will follow Dynamo's life since his whirlwind success with the show as he tours the UK, Las Vegas, Rio, Los Angeles and the World Poker Tour in Venice. Watch the preview clip of series two of Dynamo: Magician Impossible: (more)...

4th Row Films will release “All In: The Poker Movie” nationally on April 24, 2012 via digital retailers including Amazon and iTunes, with a DVD release to follow in July 2012. The opportunity to pre-order the film is available at www.allinthepokermovie.com, along with a limited edition poster and “All In: The Poker Movie”. playing cards. This release will follow a 40 market theatrical release in late March, including the Cinema Village in New York City and Laemmle 4 in Los Angeles.

A look at the story of poker from the underground clubs of New York City to the global boom and the recent online scandal, “All In: The Poker Movie”. is garnering unprecedented support across the country, with poker players participating in post-screening discussions during many of the theatrical runs either in person or via satellite.

Wamg is giving you the chance to enter for a chance to win:

1. All In: The Poker Movie...

On Sunday, March 11, 2012, World Poker Tour (Wpt) invited guests to the Sls Hotel Beverly Hills to celebrate the launch of Wpt Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to utilizing World Poker Tour’s unmatched platform to influence positive change on a global scale.

Hundreds of guests turned out in support of the new philanthropic venture for an exclusive night of entertainment. Evidenced by the tremendous social media buzz and impressive sold-out attendance, the kick-off event titled Wpt Playing for a Better World was a resounding success.

World-renowned chef José Andrés, who recently won the coveted James Beard Outstanding Chef Award for 2011, provided a completely custom menu for the momentous occasion. “This was an astonishing night,” said Andrés. “Amazing people came together with their passion for poker but also their passion to change the world.”

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World Poker Tour (Wpt), the premier name in internationally televised poker and entertainment, has announced the launch of the Wpt Foundation, an organization dedicated to utilizing Wpt’s unmatched platform to influence positive change in the world.

Wpt Foundation will initially support nonprofit programs in the areas of environment, human rights, hunger, and poverty and has announced its world-class charitable partners as Conservation International, Enough Project, We Advance and World Central Kitchen. Beyond contributing extensive cast, brand, media and corporate resources, Wpt has committed an additional $100,000 cash donation to the Wpt Foundation.

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The superbly attractive actress Sabina Gadecki (below), who you may recall as the sexy host of the fifth season of the 'World Poker Tour', is the splendid eye-candy that'll be catching my attention in the Jack Heller helmed creature feature 'Dark Was the Night'. The stunner will star alongside Kevin Durand ('Resident Evil: Retribution') who is on board to play the local towns sheriff and Lukas Haas ('Inception') who will play his deputy. Heath Freeman and Nick Damici also star in the new Caliber Media survival thriller penned by Tyler Hisel....

Chicago – The holidays are a perfect time to remember some of 2011’s great entertainment events, and one of them was the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, which took place August 11th-14th. Celebrities such as Anthony Michael Hall, Lou Gossett Jr., LeVar Burton, Peter Tork and Bruce Campbell were there.

HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce turned his lens to the event, and captured the following slide show. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All images © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.

Comicon1: Anthony Michael Hall, star of ‘The Breakfast Club’ and ‘Sixteen Candles’ Comicon2: Mimi Rogers of ‘The Rapture’ and ‘World Poker Tour’ Comicon3: Oscar Winner Lou Gossett Jr. of ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ Comicon4: Vivica A. Fox of ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Comicon5: Hey,...

Days after their names and photos leaked online, CBS announced the 16 Survivor South Pacific cast members, although the network is pretending like we don't all know which former contestants are returning (Coach and Ozzy). They're on two tribes named after Samoa's islands: Upolu and Savaii. The cast includes Rick, who applied 14 times; Jim, whose occupation is listed as "medical marijuana dispenser" but also has won a World Poker Tour event; country music singer...

Celebrity Apprentice 2011! Who is Jose Canseco and why is he famous? [Mar. 27] Retired Major League Baseball star Jose Canseco participated in the 7th annual World Poker Tour Invitational in 2009 to benefit the Vine Group which assists with educational materials for English-speaking nations in Africa, and in the Aces & Angels Celebrity Poker Tournament with green celebrity Kim Kardashian to benefit firefighters in southern California injured in the line of duty. He will be on Celebrity Apprentice to benefit the Baseball Assistance Team, which aims to assist former baseball players and others who have fallen on hard times and are associated with the game. As the American League's Rookie of the Year in 1986 and the first player to hit forty home runs and steal forty bases in a single season, José Canseco was one of the outstanding baseball players of his day. Canseco never played for a single team more than two and a half seasons,...

Mr. Billy Burke attended the World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational at the La Poker Classic this past weekend. While there, Emma Zerner of Splash News caught up with Billy and asked him who his ideal opponent would be in a poker match and if he could give any details on Breaking Dawn filming. Billy chatted [...]

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Lindsey and Kristy Landers are Official Hot Mess. With their four-piece male band in tow, this dynamic duo is circum-navigating the music world with a young and sassy vibe, and some very catchy songs. Their clever lyrical twists and dance-fused melodies have given them a well-deserved edge over many of their pop/rock contemporaries. Natives of Sarasota Florida, the blond sibs began writing songs at an early age, and were signed to a record deal before they graduated high school. Their music has been featured on hit shows such as Grey's Anatomy (TV), The Hills (TV), Jersey Shore (TV), The City (TV), and Super Sweet 16 (TV), but it was their single "Welcome to L.A." that put them on the map. With it's 'get up and dance' beat and well crafted lyrics, the song takes a playful poke at the eccentricities of living in L.A. The highly acclaimed video went to the No.

Happy news! Actress Mena Suvari married her music producer beau Simone Sestito in Vatican City on Saturday. Sestito proposed to Suvari in back in summer 2008, and she revealed, “He got down his knees. It was very romantic. I love him. He’s Italian and my family is part Greek, and it’s all about family and culture…I love his family and it just inspires me to live that kind of life.” Suvari wore a gown by Stacey Bendet, owner of Alice + Olivia and a close friend of the American Beauty actress. The actress had spoken to UsMagazine.com this March about the wedding saying it was going to be ”very romantic and traditional Italian…we’ll have at least a couple hundred guests. It’s big!” This is the second marriage for Suvari. She and cinematographer Robert Brinkman, who is 17 years her senior, were married for 5 years before divorcing...

Actress Ricki Lake has stunned the gambling world by making it to the finals of a big-time California poker tournament, which boasts a top prize of $125,000 (GBP78,125).

The original Hairspray star will be in the field for Sunday's card game finale at the Cal State Poker Championship at the Commerce Casino.

More than 2,000 players entered the tournament and Lake, a regular at the World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational held each year at the casino, is one of the 72 card sharks in Sunday's final.

Teaming up for a day of shopping, LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian were spotted side-by-side in Malibu, California on Thursday afternoon (February 25).

The romantic twosome chatted amongst one another as they browsed the offerings at the local Malibu Country Mart.

The sighting comes after LeAnn and Eddie spent the past weekend taking part in the 8th Annual World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational - which raised over $100,000 for charity.

On the career front, Cibrian, who stars on the hit show CSI: Miami, can be seen in the Hallmark Channel Original film called "Healing Hands" - which will premiere on the network on March 20.

Jordan Strauss/WireImage

Maybe gambling induces labor?

Making the most of their last few date nights before their daughter’s arrival, Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart attended Saturday’s 2010 World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational, held at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif.

With baby girl set to arrive in about a week, the actors are gearing up and finalizing baby names!

“Rebecca wants to wait to see her before we start calling her it,” the Grey’s Anatomy star explained, because “you want to make sure that the name sticks.”

See more moms-to-be in our Who’s Due Next gallery!

Eddie Cibrian and girlfriend LeAnn Rimes joined celebrities in Los Angeles last weekend for the 8th Annual World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational. The couple, along with the other stars, raised over 0,000 for charity.

"Grey's Anatomy" star Eric Dane, actor and voice talent Hank Azaria from "The Simpsons," actress Jenny McCarthy, "Entourage" star Jerry Ferrera, and "Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher were among the stars who played cards to raise funds for the Chrysalis charity.

The charity is described as a non-profit organization that aims to help economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities.

CelebrityGoodLife.com added that Hatcher was so into the spirit of the event that she bought a few rounds for players, and even rewarded her good deed with an order of grilled cheese and fries.

For Dave Annable, the decision to propose to his girlfriend Odette Yustman was a no-brainer. "I knew," the Brothers & Sisters star, 30, told People at Saturday's World Poker Tour Invitational, "and when you know, you know." But knowing and doing are two different things, and asking the woman he loved to spend the rest of her life with him wasn't something that the actor was going to take lightly. "I was terrified," a relieved Annable now says with a laugh, "and she could tell." It's generally accepted that when you pop the question, you don't get a do-over, so Annable approached...

This season's love triangle between Owen, Cristina and Teddy on Grey's Anatomy has already been as passionate as it is complex. But is this just the beginning?

“I think as the season draws to a close it’s going to get pretty intense and more complicated then it already is,” Kevin McKidd (Owen) told TV Guide Magazine.

“Also I think things come up with Owen beyond Christina and Teddy," he adds.

"More stuff comes up about his past that he has to deal with so that gets really interesting as well as complicates even more his situation with the two women.”

Interesting ... we'd love to hear your theories on that, readers.

Who would Owen choose if it were Kevin McKidd's call to make?

“I always imagined that Owen and Christina would always be together," he notes. "As me being a fan of the show and going beyond playing the character,...

Always looking lovely, Jayde Nicole was among the stars converging on the Commerce Casino in the City of Commerce, California on Saturday night (February 20).

Posing for pictures in a curve-complimenting black frock, the former Playmate of the Year was on hand for the 8th Annual World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational Poker Tournament.

Tweeting ahead of the evening's gaming agenda, Jayde wrote to her fans and followers, "On my way to the Wsop celebrity poker tournament at Commerce Casino, barely alive and on no sleep! should be interesting lol"

Meanwhile, Miss Nicole also took time to post a philosophical message to her Twitter faithful, which reads, "Its a privilege for ppl to have your love & attention - include ppl in your life who see that and reciprocate."...

Stepping out for a night of gaming action, Odette Yustman and Dave Annable attended the 8th Annual World Poker Tour Invitational in Commerce, California on Saturday (February 20).

The recently engaged couple happily posed for pictures before taking their seats at the Commerce Casino to test their card-game skills against fellow celebs and poker stars.

As for the marital news, the “Cloverfield” actress reportedly accepted her “Brothers and Sisters” beau’s proposal last weekend while staying in Santa Barbara, California.

Of the nuptials on the way, Mr Annable and Miss Yustman have not yet revealed a date - though they do plan on saying their “I Do’s” sometime this year.

A bunch of celebs and famous faces will head to La this weekend for a charity poker tournament at the Commerce Casino.

The World Poker Tour’s Celebrity Invitational will feature over 100 stars of screen and poker, including Marlon Wayans, Eric Dane, Hank Azaria, Teri Hatcher, Jesse Metcalfe, Michael Vartan, Matt Lillard, Billy Burke, Zachary Quinto, Willie Garson, Benji Madden, Ricki Lake, Shannon Elizabeth, Jennifer Tilly and many more.

The tournament will hit Los Angeles on February 20-21, and proceeds will benefit Chrysalis, a charity dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities. It currently helps more than 2,000 individuals a year change their lives through jobs.

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Steve Cheskin has returned to the TLC fold in the newly created role of executive vp programming.

Reporting to TLC president and GM Eileen O'Neill, the Silver Spring, Md.-based Cheskin will lead the network's scheduling and program development team as well as the bicoastal development unit.

Cheskin most recently was senior vp programming at We tv, a job he assumed in 2006 after having consulted with the Rainbow Media network for two years. There, he developed a roster of series that includes "The Locator," "Amazing Wedding Cakes" and "Platinum Weddings."

"Steve's proven track record makes him an excellent addition to the Tlc family," O'Neill said. "With his leadership, I'm confident we will continue the network's strategic growth and create even more must-watch television brands."

Before We tv, Cheskin put in 18 years at Discovery Communications, where he held down several positions across three networks. Among his various roles, Cheskin was Gm...

Congrats to the always likable Sandra Bullock for her best opening weekend ever. The Proposal ushered in $34.1 million dollars its opening weekend. It's not a bad little comedy despite the obvious 3rd act. I really have nothing else to say about it, so let's just move on, shall we?The Hangover continued its domination of the box office drinking up $26.8 million more dollars in ticket sales. This brings its three week total to $164 million dollars worldwide. Todd Phillips doesn't have to care anymore about being knocked out on the World Poker Tour when he's got movies making this kind of bank. The best movie of the year, and one that the shitheads at the Academy should nominate for Best Picture, Up, is still doing well coming in third place with $21.3 million. It has now grossed almost $250 million dollars worldwide. When it comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray, I think it...

Billy Burke talks about his excitement to get started on Twilights sequel New Moon and his connection with Kristen Stewart nbspRumors are swirling about who will be cast in Twilights sequel New Moon. Twilight actor Billy Burke has his own wish list. I would love to have Dakota Fanning in the movie Burke who plays the character of Charlie Swan in the film told People at the World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational on Saturday. Shes one of the most talented young actors thats come around in ages. Burke 42 who plays the father to Kristen Stewarts character Bella starts shooting New Moon next month in Vancouver and cant wait to reunite with his costar.We get along in this weird ethereal way that I havent gotten along with any costar before Burke said of Stewart. She brings something that makes me want to go to work. Burke says he can relate...

Rumors are swirling about who will be cast in Twilight's sequel, New Moon. Twilight actor Billy Burke has his own wish list. "I would love to have Dakota Fanning in the movie," Burke, who plays the character of Charlie Swan in the film, told People at the World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational on Saturday. "She's one of the most talented young actors that's come around in ages." Burke, 42, who plays the father to Kristen Stewart's character, Bella, starts shooting New Moon next month in Vancouver and can't wait to reunite with his costar."We get along in this weird...

They are twins who "share everything," but Benji and Joel Madden have very different lives right now – and Benji couldn't be happier. Two weeks after Joel and Nicole Richie announced that they're expecting baby No. 2, the "single" twin tells People he's ready to be an uncle again, just not a dad. Besides, he's had a while to get used to the idea – he knew about the pregnancy long before it was announced publicly. "You have to wait before you can tell people," he admits at the World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational in California. "I found out a little bit earlier.

"The Insider" was with the celebs at the 7th annual World Poker Tour Invitational and the emotional stars opened up about Ed McMahon's hospitalization and the star's ongoing battle with bone cancer.   "The Insider" was at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles and spoke with Jennifer Tilly, Tia Carrere, Jon Ham, Kristy Swanson, Brad Garrett, Ray Romano and Ricki Lake who reflected on McMahon's memorable and influential career, and wished the legendary television star a speedy recovery. "It's terrible, and I wish him a speedy recovery," "Mad Men" star Jon Ham tells "The Insider". "He's been with us for a long time and whenever anything like that happens to somebody you just hope that they can come through it okay. He's a legend in our industry. I wish for the best for him and his family." "I grew up with Ed McMahon," Actress Tia Carrere says. "With people that are legendary like that,...

The World Poker Tour has found a new cable home. GSN has inked an agreement with WPT Enterprises Inc. to broadcast the sixth season of the poker show, which has aired on Travel Channel since 2003. GSN will broadcast 23 individual WPT poker events in two-hour episodes of the series, set to debut in early 2008 as part of the network's Monday night casino-themed lineup, which also includes World Series of Blackjack and High Stakes Poker.

WPT Enterprises Inc., creator of the Travel Channel's popular World Poker Tour series, has entered into an agreement with the network following a dispute over WPTE's new Professional Poker Tour series. WPTE had sued the Travel Channel and its parent, Discovery Communications Inc., in September, alleging that the network was interfering with plans to develop the "PPT" series for ESPN following unsuccessful negotiations with Travel (HR 9/21). But as part of the agreement, Travel Channel has picked up "PPT" and will air the show, consisting of a series of invitation-only tournaments that are limited to the highest-ranked players in the world, from 9-11 p.m. Wednesdays starting in the third quarter, following the conclusion of WPT's fourth season. The addition of "PPT" to Travel's schedule means that the network will have a total of 44 weeks of premiere episodes of both poker shows each year.

WPT Enterprises Inc., which created Travel Channel's World Poker Tour series, is upping the ante on televised poker. The company is developing another poker series, Professional Poker Tour, which will feature only professional poker players, unlike World Poker Tour, which is open to both amateurs and pros. Travel Channel spokesman James Ashurst confirmed that the cable channel is in the "really early stages" of discussions with WPT for broadcast rights but added that "in light of how competitive the landscape is with respect to poker programming, we're not ready to tip our hand" regarding this series.

The Travel Channel said Monday that it is increasing its World Poker Tour coverage as the tour adds a new stop at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas for its third season, which bows in late first-quarter 2005. A two-hour installment of the World Poker Tour series, which follows professional and amateur poker players as they compete in tournaments around the world, will be added to the third-season schedule to cover the new tournament, dubbed the Mirage Poker Showdown. The tour now consists of 15 tournaments at casinos around the world, including the Bicycle Casino and Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the Aviation Club de France in Paris. Additionally, the tour is likely to add two more stops later this year, a WPT spokesperson said.

As the popularity of televised poker breeds a nation of card-playing fanatics, even celebrities are finding themselves susceptible to the lure of a fresh deck, a few chips and the prospect of a fielding a winning hand. Mimi Rogers has been appearing in films and television for more than 20 years. But now that she's entered the world of high-stakes poker -- recently becoming the first winner of the Travel Channel's World Poker Tour: Hollywood Home Game -- she often gets asked more about her card-playing skills than her latest performance. "Everywhere I go -- no exaggeration -- it's almost like I'm not recognized as an actor anymore," Rogers says. "Everyone tells me, 'You're a good poker player.' " She recalls playing in one WPT tournament in San Jose, Calif., with 243 other players in which the top 27 got paid winnings. A couple of hours into the second day of playing, the 28th person was finally eliminated. "Everyone cheered; we were getting money no matter what," she says. "No one wants to be the person who busts out before the money."...

Just over a year ago, poker-related television programs were often relegated to the wee hours of the morning, without a real time slot to call their own. Not many viewers were tuning in to see what in essence was a handful of people just sitting around playing cards. But on March 30, 2003, all that started to change. That's the day cable's Travel Channel broadcast the first episode of its World Poker Tour series, the creation of Steven Lipscomb, a producer-director and former attorney. "Before our show aired, there was no interest in (televised) poker," says Lipscomb, founder and CEO of the World Poker Tour. "Poker had been airing for years, but it was so poorly done that neither you nor I would want to watch it."...

Actor Vince Van Patten has inked a deal with LMNO Prods. to develop and host a reality show that aims to capitalize on TV's current craze for poker. Poker Dogs would bring together professional poker players in an elimination-style competition series to compete for a big grand-prize pot. LMNO is shopping the project to network and cable buyers. Van Patten has already generated a cult following on the TV poker circuit as co-host of Travel Channel's World Poker Tour series. He's also a close friend of LMNO chief Eric Schotz.