Poker Den

Contents

Host

Grub Smith (original commentator)

Jesse May

Broadcast

Challenge, June to ? 2005

Matchroom Sport for five, 24 May 2007 to 2009

Synopsis

Here's interesting - a clever web-meets-TV idea where three members of your commoner gardener public get to rough shoulders with a similar number of genuine poker pros and Beppe off 'Stenders. The ordinary folks qualify on the PartyPoker website for a £8,500 buy-in to the tourney which is played for real at the studios at the end of the week.

File:Poker den inplay.jpgDon't mind me, just doing my job.

The set is, rather predictably, an underground gangster's back room. Full marks to Grub Smith's very witty, slightly smutty and seemingly unscripted commentary (example: 'A pair of Jacks again? What have we got here - a dealer or a photocopier?') which fulfills two things. First, it makes a long and fairly sedentary show more watchable, and second it makes up for those pitiful episodes of Jo Guest: Investigates or whatever it was called.

File:Poker den table.jpgGET OUT, YOU'RE FIRED!!!

Only point of annoyance - the very fiddly use of £50,000 in cash rather than chips. Other than that, it's a highly watchable show that wouldn't look out of place on Channel 4 or five, and certainly it's one of Challenge's best high concept ideas for ages.

File:Poker den cash.jpgRacking up the cash, oh yeah!

Trivia

Point of interest: a bit like the old Channel 4 talk show After Dark, the programme is open-ended and finishes whenever the game reaches a natural conclusion.

Feedback

To correct something on this page or post an addition, please complete this form and press "Send":
If you are asking us a question, please read our contact us page and FAQ first.

Name: E-mail:   
A Labyrinth Games site.
Design by Thomas.
Printable version
Editors: Log in