Poker After Dark is an hour-long poker television program that originally aired on NBC,[3] premiering on January 1, 2007.[2] The series was canceled on December 3, 2011, following the "Black Friday" criminal case, which involved major sponsor Full Tilt Poker as one of the defendants.[4] The show rebooted on August 14, 2017, with appearances from Tom Dwan, Daniel Negreanu, Antonio Esfandiari. Poker After Dark episodes are now filmed exclusively at the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort and Casino, and distributed on video streaming service PokerGO.

Poker After Dark
Presented byShana Hiatt (S1-2)
Marianela Pereyra (S3)
Leeann Tweeden (S4-7)
Drea Renee (S8)
Veronica Brill (S12-13)
Narrated byAli Nejad
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons13
No. of episodes611 episodes
94 live streams
(134 weeks consisting of 68 tournaments and 117 cash games)[1]
Production
Producers
Production locationLas Vegas
Running time1 hour (with commercials; about 42 minutes without); 6 hours when on PokerGO (with player breaks; about 5 hours, 20 minutes without)
Production companies
  • Poker Productions
  • Echo Entertainment
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseJanuary 1, 2007 (2007-01-01) –
December 3, 2011 (2011-12-03)
NetworkNBCSN
ReleaseAugust 14, 2017 (2017-08-14) –
October 4, 2021 (2021-10-04)

For its first two seasons, both of which originally aired in 2007, the show was presented by Shana Hiatt.[5] The host for season 3 was Marianela Pereyra, and Leeann Tweeden took over starting with season 4.[6] When the series returned on PokerGO in 2017, Drea Renee took over as lead presenter. Veronica Brill was introduced as the sideline reporter during season 12.[7]

All seasons have contained voice-over commentary by Oliver "Ali" Nejad.

Summary edit

The Poker After Dark format featured an "intimate look at one table as it develops over the week."[2] Blinds start at $100/$200 and slowly escalate. Commentator Ali Nejad's commentary is limited, allowing viewers to hear much of the table talk among the players, all of whom are mic'ed.[2] (The table talk occasionally reveals that the "week-long" series is taped in one long session.)

The series was originally structured as a series of week-long No Limit Texas hold 'em mini-tournaments for six top poker professionals. Each week the players vied for a $120,000 winner-takes-all prize pool, with each paying a $20,000 buy-in.[Note 1] By the end of the fifth show, a winner is determined. The sixth show was a "director's cut" that includes excerpts from the action from the previous five days, interspersed with talking heads commentary from the participants. Beginning with Season 4, the producers began to experiment with different formats, including no-limit cash games, and a double-elimination Heads Up battle between the first 4 winners of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship.[8] Also, Seasons 3, 4 and 5 had a "Dream Table," pitting an amateur against five pros.

Broadcast edit

Poker After Dark aired six times a week, at 2:05 a.m. ET (1:05 CT) Tuesday through Saturday, and then at 1:00 a.m. ET (12:00 CT) on Sundays, though times vary according to the preferences of the affiliates.[9] The early Sunday show is a "director's cut" weekly summary of the previous week's shows.

Several NBC affiliates, most notably those owned by Post-Newsweek Stations, Barrington Broadcasting, some Raycom Media stations, WBBH-TV in Fort Myers, Florida, and the LDS Church-owned KSL-TV in Salt Lake City refused to air the show due to management or locality objections against programs featuring gambling (the Post-Newsweek stations also refused to carry Face the Ace in August 2009), while other stations did not carry it due to existing syndication contracts precluding it from airing the series or to retain control of their overnight schedules. It was not aired entirely in the state of Texas due to the state's strict gambling laws.

NBC abruptly stopped airing Poker After Dark on September 23, 2011,[10] a few days after Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, issued a statement alleging production underwriter Full Tilt Poker had perpetrated a Ponzi scheme on its customers. Replacing the show was a rebroadcast of the Hoda Kotb/Kathie Lee Gifford-hosted fourth hour of Today, and on the weekends, a second episode of In Wine Country from San Francisco Bay Area NBC station KNTV. NBC Sports has since removed their poker section entirely from their webpage, and previous episodes have been removed from Hulu. Although NBC did not issue a definitive statement regarding the schedule change or the future of the show, NBC Sports Senior Director of Communications Adam Freifeld has stated that NBC will "continue to evaluate our poker programming."[11]

Since 2017, Poker After Dark has aired live each month exclusively on PokerGO. Full replays and highlight recaps are also available on demand for each episode.

International edit

In Canada Poker After Dark aired afternoons and late nights on Rogers Sportsnet and, since fall 2009 on the French network V.[citation needed]

In France Poker After Dark airs at night on RTL9. In Germany, it airs on SPORT1, with commentary provided by Michael Körner.[12] In Ireland, Poker After Dark airs on Setanta Ireland and Setanta Sports 1[13] on most weeknights with little change from the US version. In The Netherlands, it airs on Veronica; episodes feature the original English commentary with Dutch subtitles.[citation needed] In Sweden, Poker After Dark airs on afternoons and nights on TV4 Sport[citation needed] and on TV 10 weekday nights at 01:30.[citation needed] In Denmark, it airs at night on TV3+.[citation needed] In Italy, Poker After Dark airs at night on POKERItalia24. In Poland, Poker After Dark airs during evenings on Sportklub and Sport Klub+; commentary is provided by Paweł Majewski and Marcin Grzywacz.[citation needed]. In Russia, the show airs on 7TV at 11:30 pm every day until the Febral, and now shows on REN-TV at 3:00 pm.

Episodes edit

Season 1 (2007) edit

Season 1 was taped at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Week Episodes Original airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6
1 1-6 Jan 1-6 Poker Brat Attack Gus Hansen Phil Hellmuth Shawn Sheikhan Annie Duke Steve Zolotow Huck Seed
2 7-12 Jan 8-13 Play Anything Mike Matusow Gabe Kaplan David Grey Doyle Brunson Jerry Buss Daniel Negreanu
3 13-18 Jan 15-20 WSOP Champions Chris Moneymaker Jamie Gold Johnny Chan Chris Ferguson Doyle Brunson Carlos Mortensen
4 19-24 Jan 22-27 Earphones Please Sam Farha Tony G Mike Matusow Phil Hellmuth Phil Ivey Andy Bloch
5 25-30 Jan 29-Feb 3 Phil Phil Phil Hellmuth Jennifer Harman Phil Laak Erik Seidel Antonio Esfandiari Doyle Brunson
6 31-36 Feb 12-17 Talking Heads Michael Konik Phil Gordon Howard Lederer Chad Brown Gabe Kaplan Mike Sexton
7 37-42 Feb 19-24 Against All Odds Chris Ferguson Clonie Gowen Sam Farha Gus Hansen Ted Forrest Tony G
8 43-48 Mar 12-17 Killer Table Phil Ivey Erick Lindgren Jennifer Tilly Patrik Antonius Jennifer Harman Phil Gordon
9 49-54 Apr 16-21 Loose Lips Mike Matusow Allen Cunningham David Benyamine Barry Greenstein Shawn Sheikhan John Juanda
10 55-60 May 14–19 Ladies' Week Clonie Gowen Evelyn Ng Dee Luong Vanessa Rousso Jennifer Harman Cyndy Violette

Season 2 (2007) edit

Season 2 was taped in May 2007 at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas.[14]

Week Episodes Original airdates[15] Title[14] Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6
1 1-6 Jun 11-16 Golden Men Jamie Gold Joe Hachem Greg Raymer Huck Seed Doyle Brunson Johnny Chan
2 7-12 Jun 18-23 International Gus Hansen David Benyamine Patrik Antonius Daniel Negreanu Marco Traniello Brad Booth
3 13-18 Jun 25-30 Queens and Kings Gabe Kaplan Howard Lederer Ali Nejad Vanessa Rousso Annie Duke Kristy Gazes
4 19-24 Sep 10-15 World Series Legends Doyle Brunson Layne Flack Phil Hellmuth Chris Ferguson Erik Seidel T. J. Cloutier
5 25-30 Sep 17-22 WPT All-Stars Erick Lindgren Howard Lederer Daniel Negreanu Michael Mizrachi Gus Hansen Tuan Le
6 31-36 Sep 24-29 Live To Hurt Antonio Esfandiari Shawn Sheikhan Mike Matusow Phil Hellmuth Phil Laak Daniel Negreanu
7 37-42 Oct 1-6 Poker Prowess Phil Laak David Williams Annie Duke Andy Bloch John Juanda Clonie Gowen
8 43-48 Oct 8-13 Mega Match David Benyamine Allen Cunningham Jennifer Harman Phil Ivey Barry Greenstein Eli Elezra
9 49-54 Nov 5-10 Of Mouth and Men Alan Boston Antonio Esfandiari Mike Sexton Mike Matusow Jamie Gold Paul Wasicka
10 55-60 Nov 12-17 Show Open Howard Lederer Phil Ivey Chris Ferguson Phil Hellmuth Jennifer Harman Gus Hansen
  • Week 8 (Mega Match) required a $50,000 buy-in rather than the usual $20,000, resulting in a $300,000 first prize.
  • Week 10 (Show Open) was so named because the participants were those featured in the show's 2007 opening credits.
  • Howard Lederer was the only player to reach the final two players more than once.
  • Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Gus Hansen, and Howard Lederer appeared in the most weeks for the season with three appearances each.

Season 3 (2008) edit

Season 3 was taped in October 2007 at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas.[14]

Week Episodes Original airdates Title[16] Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6
1 1-6 Dec 31-Jan 5 Dream Table Daniel Negreanu Phil Hellmuth Jennifer Harman Mike Matusow Scotty Nguyen Ken Light
2 7-12 Jan 7-12 19th Hole Gavin Smith David Oppenheim Erick Lindgren Phil Ivey Doyle Brunson Daniel Negreanu
3 13-18 Jan 14-19 Hecklers Gavin Smith Sam Grizzle Jean-Robert Bellande Mike Matusow Shawn Sheikhan Phil Hellmuth
4 19-24 Feb 11-16 World Champions Chris Ferguson Johnny Chan Berry Johnston Jamie Gold Phil Hellmuth Huck Seed
5 25-30 Feb 18-23 Cowboys Doyle Brunson Chris Ferguson Chau Giang Andy Bloch Hoyt Corkins Gabe Kaplan
6 31-36 Feb 25-Mar 1 International Patrik Antonius Johnny Chan Roland De Wolfe Daniel Negreanu Gus Hansen John Juanda
7 37-42 Mar 24-29 Jam Up David Williams Howard Lederer Mike Matusow Barry Greenstein Antonio Esfandiari Eli Elezra
8 43-48 Mar 31-Apr 5 Gus and the Ladies Gus Hansen Vanessa Rousso J. J. Liu Clonie Gowen Beth Shak Erica Schoenberg
9 49-54 May 12–17 Love at First Raise Jennifer Harman David Benyamine Jennifer Tilly Marco Traniello Erica Schoenberg Phil Laak
10 55-60 May 19–24 Commentators Mark Gregorich Chad Brown Ali Nejad Robert Williamson III Phil Gordon Howard Lederer

Season 4 (2008) edit

Season 4 was taped in April 2008 at the South Point Casino in Las Vegas.[8] Season 4 episode titles and presumed seating order taken from NBC's Web site.[16]

Week Episodes Original airdates Title[16] Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6
1 1-6 Jul 14-19 Cash Game #1 Tom Dwan Phil Hellmuth Mike Baxter Allen Cunningham Guy Laliberté David Peat
2 7-12 Jul 21-26 Nets Vs. Vets Brian Townsend Doyle Brunson Tom Dwan Johnny Chan Huck Seed Andrew Robl
3 13-18 Jul 28-Aug 3 Heads Up Challenge Phil Hellmuth Ted Forrest Paul Wasicka Chris Ferguson
4 19-24 Sep 22-Sep 27 Mission Impossible Mike Matusow Phil Laak Phil Hellmuth David Williams Clonie Gowen Gavin Smith
5 25-30 Sep 29-Oct 4 Dream II Mike Matusow Phil Hellmuth Mike Sexton Jennifer Harman Gavin Smith Paul Featherstone
6 31-36 Oct 6-Oct 11 Mayfair Club Jay Heimowitz Howard Lederer Mickey Appleman Dan Harrington Steve Zolotow Mike Shichtman
7 37-42 Oct 13-Oct 19 Cash Game #2 Patrik Antonius Dee Tiller Howard Lederer Doyle Brunson Gabe Kaplan Eli Elezra
  • Season 4 was the first time cash games were filmed.
  • The two weeks of cash games were a $200/400 no-limit game instead of a winner take all tournament. During most of the second cash game, the players agreed to $100 antes and the occasional $800 straddle.[citation needed]
  • Week 3 (Heads-Up Challenge) was a double elimination heads-up format featuring the first four winners of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship and required a $50,000 buy-in resulting in a winner-take-all $200,000 prize.[8]
  • Week 4 (Mission Impossible) was named in reference to Mike Matusow, who entered the game winless in three-plus seasons of the show, while each of his opponents had won at least once.
  • Week 5 (Dream II) was the second tournament consisting of the winner of a Full Tilt Poker sponsored contest (Paul Featherstone) and the five professionals he chose to play against.
  • Phil Hellmuth appeared in the most weeks for the season with five appearances, while Mike Matusow appeared in three weeks.

Season 5 (2009) edit

Most of Season 5 was taped December 19–21, 2008 at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas. The season's first three weeks include episodes originally announced as Season 4 episodes and were taped at South Point.[17][18]

Week Episodes Original airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6
1 1-6 Dec 29-Jan 3 Close but no Cigar Andy Black Lee Watkinson Dewey Tomko David Williams Allen Cunningham Mike Matusow
2 7-12 Jan 5-Jan 11 Speak Your Mind Todd Brunson Phil Hellmuth Phil Gordon Gabe Kaplan Cory Zeidman David Grey
3 13-18 Feb 9-Feb 14 Brilliant Minds Brandon Adams Chris Ferguson Andy Bloch Bill Chen Jimmy Warren David Sklansky
4 19-24 Feb 16-Feb 21 Nets vs. Vets Cash Game Taylor Caby Cole South Gabe Kaplan David Benefield Doyle Brunson Eli Elezra
5 25-30 Mar 23-Mar 28 Dream Table III Johnny Chan Jennifer Tilly Arnold Thimons Mike Matusow Phil Laak Daniel Negreanu
6 31-36 Mar 30-Apr 4 International III Brad Booth Allen Cunningham David Benyamine John Juanda John Phan Ivan Demidov
7 37-42 May 4-May 9 Hellmuth Bash Cash Game I Tom Dwan Kenny Tran Phil Laak Antonio Esfandiari Phil Hellmuth Bob Safai
8 43-48 May 11-May 16 Hellmuth Bash Cash Game II Tom Dwan Antonio Esfandiari Kenny Tran Phil Hellmuth Bob Safai Phil Laak
9 49-54 Jun 15-Jun 20 Sit-n-Talk Jennifer Harman Mike Matusow Antonio Esfandiari Jean-Robert Bellande Vanessa Rousso David Grey
10 55-60 Jun 22-Jun 27 Celebrities and Mentors Barry Greenstein Jason Alexander Phil Gordon Orel Hershiser Don Cheadle Gavin Smith
11 61-66 Sep 7-Sep 12 Top Guns Cash Game #1 Tom Dwan Patrik Antonius Howard Lederer Eli Elezra Ilari Sahamies Phil Ivey
12 67-72 Sep 14-Sep 19 Top Guns Cash Game #2 Eli Elezra Tom Dwan Howard Lederer Phil Ivey Patrik Antonius Ilari Sahamies
13 73-78 Sep 21-Sep 26 Magnificent Six Phil Hellmuth Chris Ferguson Howard Lederer Phil Ivey Doyle Brunson Daniel Negreanu
14 79-84 Sep 28-Oct 3 USA vs. Italy Howard Lederer Marco Traniello Dario Minieri Erick Lindgren Max Pescatori Chris Ferguson
15 85-90 Dec 7-Dec 12 Railbird Heaven Cash Game #1 Patrik Antonius Daniel Negreanu Gus Hansen Phil Ivey Tom Dwan Phil Hellmuth
16 91-96 Dec 14-Dec 19 Railbird Heaven Cash Game #2 Tom Dwan Gus Hansen
/ David Peat
Phil Ivey Phil Hellmuth Patrik Antonius Daniel Negreanu
  • Season 5 would see the first relocation of Poker After Dark as it moved from South Point Casino to the Golden Nugget Las Vegas.
  • Season 5 was the first season with more cash game weeks then sit-n-go weeks.
  • Close but no Cigar Week consisted of players who at the time of taping had played at a WSOP Main Event final table but did not win.
  • Mike Matusow is the only pro to participate in all three Dream Table games.
  • The two weeks of Hellmuth Bash games were the first time the same six players appeared over 10 consecutive episodes of play.
  • Celebrities and Mentors week was completed in four episodes. The director's cut was aired as the fifth episode, and a "Best Of" look back at Seasons 1-5 was aired at the usual time for the director's cut.
  • Eli Elezra has only played in cash games or during weeks when the final prize was larger than the normal $120,000. Until this season, he always occupied Seat 6 when appearing.
  • Magnificent Six featured five of the six players shown in this season's opening credits.
  • Gus Hansen's participation in the Railbird Heaven Cash Game was his first appearance since Season 3.
  • Tom Dwan appeared in the most weeks for the season with six appearances, while Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey appeared in five weeks each.

Season 6 (2010) edit

Season 6 was taped in October 2009 at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas and is scheduled to have 13 weeks of episodes.[19]

Week Episodes Original airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6
1 1-6 Jan 4-Jan 10 Commentators III Howard Lederer Gabe Kaplan Joe Sebok Ali Nejad Mark Gregorich Kara Scott
2 7-12 Jan 11-Jan 17 Nicknames Annette Obrestad Mike Matusow Antonio Esfandiari Erick Lindgren Phil Laak Phil Hellmuth
3 13-18 Mar 15-Mar 21 Cash Game 50k, Part 1 Chris Ferguson Phil Hellmuth Antonio Esfandiari Brandon Adams Todd Brunson Mike Matusow
4 19-24 Mar 22-Mar 28 Cash Game 50k, Part 2 Todd Brunson Mike Matusow Phil Hellmuth / Dennis Philips Brandon Adams Antonio Esfandiari Chris Ferguson / David Peat
5 25-30 Apr 19-Apr 25 My Favorite Pro Craig Ivey James Ashby Steve Bartlett Phil Hellmuth Jens Voertmann Chris Ferguson
6 31-36 Apr 26-May 2 He Said, She Said Erica Schoenberg Jean-Robert Bellande David Grey Karina Jett Mike Matusow Annie Duke
7 37-42 Jun 7-Jun 13 Cash Game 100k, Part 1 Phil Hellmuth Phil Laak Eli Elezra Tom Dwan Doyle Brunson Gus Hansen
8 43-48 Jun 14-Jun 20 Cash Game 100k, Part 2 Tom Dwan Phil Laak Doyle Brunson Gus Hansen Eli Elezra Phil Hellmuth / David Peat
9 49-54 Aug 9-Aug 15 Lonesome Shark Erick Lindgren James Akenhead Antonio Esfandiari Mike Matusow David Williams Brad Booth
10 55-60 Aug 16-Aug 22 Mixed Martial Arts Bruce Buffer Patrik Antonius Dan Henderson Randy Couture Howard Lederer Erick Lindgren
11 61-66 Oct 4-Oct 10 Cash Game 150k, Part 1 Eli Elezra Patrik Antonius Alan Meltzer Gabe Kaplan David Peat Tom Dwan
12 67-72 Oct 11-Oct 17 Cash Game 150k, Part 2 Gabe Kaplan Tom Dwan Patrik Antonius David Peat Alan Meltzer / Phil Laak Eli Elezra
13 73-78 Dec 13-Dec 19 Charity In Mind Phil Gordon Chris Ferguson Jennifer Harman Howard Lederer Andy Bloch Annie Duke
  • New graphics debuted with Season 6, including a notation of which player has the button. Previous seasons sometimes used a non-standard "first to act" graphic. Percentages to win the hand are shown more frequently than in past seasons, especially pre-flop, and a trailing player's outs are shown during all-in situations.
  • Week 12 (Cash Game 150k, Part 2) - Phil Laak fills in for Alan Meltzer after Alan leaves mid-session.
  • Phil Hellmuth appeared in the most weeks for the season with six appearances, while Mike Matusow appeared in five weeks.

Season 7 (2011) edit

Season 7 took place from the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, and was scheduled for 13 weeks of new episodes.[20] The program was pulled from the schedule during this season after episode 48, and as a consequence weeks 9-13 never aired on NBC but are available on PokerGO.

Week Episodes Scheduled Airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6
1 1-6 Jan 3-Jan 8 SNG 100k Freezeout John Juanda Erick Lindgren Phil Galfond Huck Seed Tom Dwan Phil Ivey
2 7-12 Feb 7-Feb 12 Cash Game 150k #2, Part 1 David Peat Howard Lederer Phil Laak Greg Mueller Olivier Busquet Eli Elezra
3 13-18 Feb 14-Feb 19 Cash Game 150k #2, Part 2 Howard Lederer Olivier Busquet Greg Mueller Phil Laak David Peat Eli Elezra
4 19-24 Apr 4-Apr 9 SNG 50k Idol Week Andrew Lichtenberger Eric Baldwin Melanie Weisner Doyle Brunson Annette Obrestad Tom Dwan
5 25-30 Apr 11-Apr 16 PLO 100k Cash Game, Part 1 Brandon Adams Patrik Antonius Phil Ivey Tom Dwan Brian Hastings Phil Galfond
6 31-36 Apr 18-Apr 23 PLO 100k Cash Game, Part 2 Brian Hastings Jared Bleznick Tom Dwan Phil Galfond Phil Ivey Patrik Antonius
7 37-42 Aug 01-Aug 05 Cash 100k min, Part 1 Mike Matusow Jean-Robert Bellande Peter Jetten Brandon Adams Chris Ferguson Michael Mizrachi / Phil Hellmuth
8 43-48 Aug 08-Aug 12 Cash 100k min, Part 2 Brandon Adams Chris Ferguson Peter Jetten Phil Hellmuth Mike Matusow Jean-Robert Bellande / Michael Mizrachi
9 49-54 Sep 5-Sep 10 Cash 100k min #2, Part 1 Annette Obrestad Huck Seed Antonio Esfandiari Phil Hellmuth Andy Bloch Justin Smith
10 55-60 Sep 12-Sep 17 Cash 100k min #2, Part 2 Andy Bloch Annette Obrestad Justin Smith Antonio Esfandiari Phil Hellmuth Huck Seed
11 61-66 Sep 19-Sep 24 SNG 20k Wish List Mike Dappen Phil Hellmuth Mike Matusow Chris Ferguson Erica Schoenberg Jennifer Harman
12 67-72 Nov 21-Nov 26 Cash 200k min, Part 1 David Peat Eli Elezra David Oppenheim Patrik Antonius Phil Ivey Tom Dwan
13 73-78 Nov 28-Dec 3 Cash 200k min, Part 2 Tom Dwan David Peat Patrik Antonius Phil Ivey David Oppenheim Eli Elezra

Season 8 (2017) edit

Season 8 took place from inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort and Casino. Unlike the previous seven seasons, Season 8 would follow a new format of broadcasting live streams of each day of play, along with providing daily recaps of the action exclusively on PokerGO.

Week Day Scheduled Airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6 Seat 7
1 1 August 14 The Return of Tom Dwan Jean-Robert Bellande Tom Dwan Antonio Esfandiari Lauren Roberts Bill Klein Daniel Negreanu
2 August 15 The Return of Tom Dwan Tom Dwan Andrew Robl Doyle Brunson Jean-Robert Bellande Lauren Roberts Bill Klein
3 August 16 The Return of Tom Dwan Tom Dwan Lauren Roberts Andrew Robl Bill Klein Jean-Robert Bellande Matt Kirk
2 1 August 22 Voices Carry David Williams Mike Matusow Matt Berkey Jean-Robert Bellande William Kassouf Nick Schulman
2 August 23 Voices Carry Jason Koon Brian Rast Nick Schulman Matt Berkey Scott Seiver Ben Lamb
3 August 24 Voices Carry Eric Worre Greg Mueller Jason Koon Randall Emmett Igor Kurganov Liv Boeree
3 1 September 5 Rumble with Jungle Isaac Haxton Doug Polk Daniel Cates Brian Rast Frank Kassela Jason Koon
2 September 6 Rumble with Jungle Doug Polk Jason Koon Matt Berkey Daniel Cates Isaac Haxton Brian Rast
3 September 7 Rumble with Jungle Daniel Cates Matt Berkey Doug Polk Jason Koon Isaac Haxton Brian Rast
4 1 September 26 PLOMG Brandon Adams Brian Rast Phil Galfond Ben Lamb Isaac Haxton Daniel Cates
2 September 27 PLOMG Brandon Adams Isaac Haxton Tom Dwan Ben Lamb Phil Galfond Daniel Cates
3 September 28 PLOMG Isaac Haxton Daniel Cates Chance Kornuth Josh Arieh Brandon Adams Phil Galfond
5 1 October 10 High Stakes Hybrid Jason Koon Mike Baxter Doug Polk Brian Rast Lauren Roberts Brandon Steven Dan Shak
2 October 11 High Stakes Hybrid Doug Polk Jason Koon Mike Baxter Dan Shak Brian Rast Brandon Steven
6 1 October 17 Perks of the Trade Brian Rast Rick Salomon Bill Perkins Phil Galfond Haralabos Voulgaris Aaron Zang
2 October 18 Perks of the Trade Haralabos Voulgaris Brandon Adams / Matt Berkey Daniel Cates Rick Salomon Aaron Zang Bill Perkins
3 October 19 Perks of the Trade Aaron Zang Daniel Cates Tom Marchese Doug Polk Bill Perkins
7 1 November 20 Leave it to Seiver Chris Kruk Jacky Wang Garrett Adelstein Bob Bright Scott Seiver Matt Berkey / Allan Hu Ben Lamb
2 November 21 Leave it to Seiver Scott Seiver Jacky Wang Matt Berkey Ben Lamb Chris Kruk Bob Bright Garrett Adelstein
8 1 November 28 Moon Magic Jacky Wang Antonio Esfandiari Justin Young Barry Woods Lauren Roberts Danielle Andersen
2 November 29 Moon Magic Jacky Wang Antonio Esfandiari Justin Young Danielle Andersen Lauren Roberts Barry Woods / Len Ashby
9 1 December 12 Games of our Lives Bob Bright Farah Galfond Jacky Wang Bill Klein Matt Berkey Bill Perkins
2 December 13 Games of our Lives Farah Galfond Bill Klein Bill Perkins Matt Berkey Bob Bright Jean-Robert Bellande
10 1 December 19 Holidays with Hellmuth Dan Shak Mike Matusow Phil Hellmuth Maria Ho Antonio Esfandiari Randall Emmett
2 December 20 Holidays with Hellmuth David Sands Avi Freedman Phil Hellmuth Brian Potashnik Rick Thompson Dan Shak
3 December 21 Holidays with Hellmuth Phil Hellmuth Joe Marchese Doyle Brunson Daniel Negreanu Maria Ho Dave Penski
  • Season 8 followed a new format for Poker After Dark of live-streaming the action on delay on PokerGO.
  • Week 10 (Holidays with Hellmuth) would have two sit-n-goes that didn't have a winner-take-all format for the first time on Poker After Dark as both first and second places were paid.
  • Matt Berkey appeared in the most weeks for the season with nine appearances, while Brian Rast and Daniel Cates appeared in eight nights each.

Season 9 (2018) edit

Season 9 was filmed inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort and Casino. Each day of play was live streamed exclusively on PokerGO and would be available on demand, along with daily recaps of the action.

Week Day Scheduled Airtimes Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6 Seat 7 Seat 8
1 1 January 3 Femme Fatale Kitty Kuo Melanie Weisner J.J. Liu Sofia Lovgren Tracy Nguyen Kristen Bicknell Kathy Liebert
2 January 4 Femme Fatale Kathy Liebert Sofia Lovgren Tracy Nguyen Kristen Bicknell Melanie Weisner J.J. Liu
2 1 January 16 The Prestige Randall Emmett Devon Chon Watt Bob Sura Darol Rodrock Bill Perkins Antonio Esfandiari Robert Sanchez Bob Nouri
2 January 17 The Prestige Devon Chon Watt Bill Perkins Darol Rodrock Bob Nouri / Edwin Ting Bob Sura Robert Sanchez Antonio Esfandiari
3 1 January 25 Reality Check Evan Sofer Bob Bright James Bord Sean Dempsey John Morgan Nick Schulman Maria Ho Jean-Robert Bellande
2 January 26 Reality Check Frank Kassela Nick Schulman Jean-Robert Bellande Bob Bright Sean Dempsey Maria Ho
4 1 February 15 Dead Money Garrett Adelstein Sean Dempsey Bob Bright Jean-Robert Bellande Matt Berkey Stanley Choi
2 February 16 Dead Money Stanley Choi Matt Berkey Garrett Adelstein Billy O'Neil Bob Bright Jean-Robert Bellande Sean Dempsey
5 1 February 21 Talk the Talk Jared Jaffee Danielle Andersen Antonio Esfandiari Maurice Hawkins Mickey Craft Randall Emmett Mike Dentale
2 February 22 Talk the Talk Maurice Hawkins Mickey Craft Mike Dentale Danielle Andersen Jared Jaffee Antonio Esfandiari Justin Young
6 1 March 6 Racks of Lamb Keith Lehr Matt Kirk Ben Lamb Jesse Sylvia Chris MacFarland Len Ashby
2 March 7 Racks of Lamb Len Ashby Gus Hansen Sam Soverel Ben Lamb Brian Rast Matt Kirk Chris MacFarland
7 1 March 14 Moving Violations Bo Brownstein Antonio Esfandiari Jennifer Tilly Don Cheadle Nick Vertucci John Morgan Robert Sanchez Randall Emmett
2 March 15 Moving Violations Don Cheadle Jennifer Tilly Randall Emmett Nick Vertucci Robert Sanchez Antonio Esfandiari John Morgan
8 1 March 20 Whine and Cheese Robert Kuhn Jeremy Ausmus Tom Marchese Tracy Nguyen Dan O'Brien Justin Young Hank Yang Bob Bright
2 March 21 Whine and Cheese Jeremy Ausmus Robert Kuhn Bob Bright Daniel Negreanu Justin Young Tom Marchese Dan O'Brien / Hank Yang Phil Hellmuth
9 1 May 15 Open House Daniel Negreanu Brandon Adams Maria Ho Larry Greenberg Eli Elezra Jeremy Kaufman Alan Richardson
2 May 16 Open House Mike Matusow Tom Marchese Don Nguyen Phil Hellmuth Bill Perkins Antonio Esfandiari Matt Berkey Dan Shak
10 1 August 1 Solve for Hollywood Jacky Wang Randall Emmett Garrett Adelstein Dave Peters Don Nguyen Matt Berkey Farah Galfond
2 August 2 Solve for Hollywood Matt Berkey Tracy Nguyen Garrett Adelstein Dave Peters Jacky Wang Farah Galfond
11 1 August 14 Rise and Grind Alan Richardson Michael Mizrachi Justin Young John Cynn Vitalyi Rizhkov Farah Galfond Bob Bright
2 August 15 Rise and Grind Ronny Beda Alan Richardson Farah Galfond Bob Bright Vitalyi Rizhkov Maria Ho Michael Mizrachi / Chris Johnson John Cynn
12 1 August 21 Masters of the Main Scott Vener Kelly Minkin Tony Miles Mickey Craft Scott Blumstein John Cynn Randall Emmett Ben Lamb
2 August 22 Masters of the Main Scott Vener / Bob Bright John Cynn Ben Lamb Mickey Craft / Jay Farber Jeremy Ausmus Kelly Minkin Randall Emmett / Jared Jaffee Scott Blumstein / Jacky Wang
13 1 August 28 Under the Gun Daniel Weinand Robert Sanchez Phil Hellmuth Jennifer Tilly Eli Elezra Jean-Robert Bellande Randall Emmett
2 August 29 Under the Gun Norm Macdonald / Alan Richardson Jean-Robert Bellande Daniel Weinand Jennifer Tilly Phil Hellmuth Eli Elezra Randall Emmett / Jeremy Ausmus Robert Sanchez
14 1 September 25 Big Three Jonathan Depa Isaac Haxton Justin Ligeri Brandon Adams Ryan Tosoc Ben Lamb
2 September Big Three Jonathan Depa Ryan Tosoc Isaac Haxton Brandon Adams Justin Young Ben Lamb Sam Soverel
15 1 October 9 Power Play Nick Schulman John Morgan Daniel Negreanu Jean-Robert Bellande Bill Klein Bob Bright Justin Young
2 October 10 Power Play Jeremy Ausmus Justin Young John Morgan Nick Schulman Bob Bright Bill Klein Daniel Negreanu
16 1 October 23 Godfather Scott Seiver Brian Rast Billy O'Neil Bryn Kenney Doyle Brunson Jared Bleznick Gus Hansen
2 October 24 Godfather Daniel Cates Billy O'Neil Jared Bleznick Doyle Brunson Gus Hansen Brian Rast Scott Seiver
17 1 November 5 888poker Week Eli Elezra Chris Moorman Peter Martin Jennifer Tilly Kelly Minkin Bill Klein Maria Ho
2 November 6 888poker Week Chris Moorman Eli Elezra Jennifer Tilly Bill Klein Maria Ho Kelly Minkin Otto Richard
18 1 November 13 Magic Moments Nick Varano Bo Brownstein Roger Sippl Antonio Esfandiari Jennifer Tilly Liron Ben Shimon
2 November 14 Magic Moments Antonio Esfandiari Liron Ben Shimon Jennifer Tilly Roger Sippl Nick Varano Bo Brownstein
19 1 November 26 Dolly's Game Farzad Bonyadi Frank Kassela Daniel Alaei Shawn Sheikhan Billy Baxter Majid Yahyaei Doyle Brunson
20 1 November 27 Norm Plays Poker Sean Dempsey Norm Macdonald Nick Schulman Frank Kassela Eli Elezra Alan Richardson Keith Lehr
21 1 December 3 Pro Bono Sam Soverel Danny Aharoni Justin Bonomo Anthony Alberto Ben Lamb Jonathan Depa
2 December 4 Pro Bono Anthony Alberto Ben Lamb Jonathan Depa Justin Bonomo Danny Aharoni Keith Lehr Sam Soverel
  • Season 9 would feature the most weeks in a season of Poker After Dark with 21. The most before that was 13 weeks in Seasons 5–7.
  • In September 2020, PokerGO launched Poker After Dark Studio Cuts which would see live streams cut into episodes. Power Play was one of the shows cut into Studio Cuts with each night of play split into three episodes each.[21][22]
  • Week 9 (Open House) was the first time Poker After Dark would be filmed inside the PokerGO Studio.[23]
  • Season 9 would be the first time a game other than No-Limit Hold'em or Pot-Limit Omaha was played. Week 14 (Big Three) featured a three-game rotation of No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw. Week 16 (Godfather) was a H.O.R.S.E. and 2-7 Triple Draw rotation. Week 19 (Dolly's Game) was No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw. Week 21 (Pro Bono) was Short Deck.
  • Week 17 (888poker Week) was a $10,000 buy-in sit-n-go. Day 1 was won by Maria Ho, and Day 2 was won by Eli Elezra.
  • Bob Bright appeared on 11 shows, ahead of Antonio Esfandiari and Randall Emmett on nine each, and Ben Lamb and Jennifer Tilly on eight each.

Season 10 (2019) edit

Season 10 was filmed inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort and Casino. Each day of play was live-streamed exclusively on PokerGO and would be available on-demand, along with daily recaps of the action.

Week Day Scheduled Airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6 Seat 7 Seat 8
1 1 January 22 $25K Elevator Sean Winter Adrian Attenborough Justin Young Anthony Alberto Ralph Wong Matt Berkey Chris Hunichen
2 January 23 $25K Elevator Justin Young Sean Winter Anthony Alberto Adrian Attenborough Ralph Wong Matt Berkey
2 1 March 25 Femme Fatale II Danielle Andersen Kitty Kuo Farah Galfond Elica Lemann Kym Lim Denise Pratt
2 March 26 Femme Fatale II Maria Ho Denise Pratt Kym Lim Elica Lemann Danielle Andersen Farah Galfond Lily Kiletto Kitty Kuo
3 1 April 8 Run It Once George James Dylan Linde Kevin Rabichow Dave Eldridge Joey Ingram Seth Davies
2 April 9 Run It Once Phil Galfond Kevin Rabichow George James Elica Lemann Randall Emmett Dylan Linde Joey Ingram
4 1 April 25 Golden Nights Alex Haro Jamie Gold Farah Galfond Randall Emmett Frank Kassela Drew Donen Anthony Alberto
2 April 26 Golden Nights Jamie Gold Frank Kassela Farah Galfond Alex Haro Daniel Negreanu Randall Emmett Drew Donen Paul Martino
5 1 May 21 888poker Week II Randall Emmett Mark Heintz Jennifer Tilly Phil Hellmuth Dominik Nitsche Chris Moorman Ali Imsirovic
2 May 22 888poker Week II Randall Emmett Eli Elezra Jennifer Tilly Ali Imsirovic Phil Hellmuth Dominik Nitsche Chris Moorman
6 1 July 22 Main Event Hangover Hossein Ensan Vivian Saliba Jamie Kerstetter Brandon Cantu Dario Sammartino Matt Berkey Mike Matusow
2 July 23 Main Event Hangover Matt Berkey Randall Emmett Mike Matusow Anthony Marquez Sam Soverel Brandon Cantu Hossein Ensan Vivian Saliba
7 1 August 6 Open Seat Jeff Platt Trevor Savage Barry Woods Mike Matusow Justin Young Brandon Cantu Brandon Schaefer
2 August 7 Open Seat Brandon Schaefer Brandon Cantu Trevor Savage Barry Woods Mike Matusow Jeff Platt Justin Young
8 1 August 20 GOAT Week Paul Pierce Mike Sexton Rob Yong Jennifer Tilly Phil Hellmuth Randall Emmett Alan Keating
2 August 21 GOAT Week Tom Dwan Paul Pierce / Brandon Cantu Alan Keating Jennfier Tilly Rob Yong Phil Hellmuth Randall Emmett
9 1 September 24 Hellmuth's Home Game David Sacks Jason Calacanis Chamath Palihapitiya Phil Hellmuth Draymond Green / Brandon Cantu Maria Ho Rick Thompson
2 September 25 Hellmuth's Home Game Rick Thompson Maria Ho Brandon Cantu Jason Calacanis Phil Hellmuth Chamath Palihapitiya David Sacks
10 1 October 8 Run It Up Week Ricky Guan Jamie Kerstetter Marle Cordeiro Nathan Manuel Pat Carter Jason Somerville Mark Mazza
2 October 9 Run It Up Week Nathan Manuel Pat Carter Jamie Kerstetter Johnny Vibes Ricky Guan Jason Somerville Mark Mazza
11 1 October 23 Showbound! Norm Macdonald Maria Ho Wadih Kaawar Garry Gates Jamie Gold Jamie Kerstetter Chance Kornuth
2 October 24 Showbound! Chance Kornuth Sam Simmons Garry Gates Jamie Kerstetter Clyde Lorance Jamie Gold Jeff Platt
12 1 December 3 Whales vs. Wizards Tom Schwartz Kitty Kuo Justin Young Ali Imsirovic Anthony Alberto Dominik Nitsche Randall Emmett
2 December 4 Whales vs. Wizards Randall Emmett Dominik Nitsche Tom Schwartz / Dan Shak Justin Young Kitty Kuo Ali Imsirovic Tim Sharif
13 1 December 19 Holidays with Hellmuth II Jon Ferraro Phil Hellmuth James Bord Jennifer Tilly Brandon Cantu Rob Yong Randall Emmett
  • Season 10 would be the first season of Poker After Dark filmed entirely in the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino.
  • In September 2020, PokerGO launched Poker After Dark Studio Cuts which would see live streams cut into episodes. GOAT week was one of the shows cut into Studio Cuts with each night of play split into three episodes each.[21][24]
  • Week 5 (888poker Week II) was a $10,000 buy-in sit-n-go. Day 1 was won by Ali Imsirovic, and Day 2 was won by Chris Moorman.[25]
  • Week 11 (Showbound!) was a $5,000 buy-in sit-n-go. Day 1 was won by Maria Ho, and Day 2 was won by Garry Gates.[26]
  • Week 12 (Whales vs. Wizards) included a $5,000 buy-in sit-n-go with one rebuy allowed. Justin Young was the winner.
  • Randall Emmett appeared on 11 shows, ahead of Brandon Cantu on eight, and Phil Hellmuth on seven.

Season 11 (2020) edit

Season 11 was filmed inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino. Each day of play was live-streamed exclusively on PokerGO and would be available on-demand, along with daily recaps of the action. Season 11 was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and only featured two weeks of play.

Week Day Scheduled Airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6 Seat 7
1 1 January 16 One Night in Vegas Albert Daher Mike Matusow Freddy Deeb Nick Schulman Daniel Negreanu Frank Stepuchin Eli Elezra
2 1 February 26 Lucky Charms Week Doc Barry David Silverman Jennifer Tilly Mike Shaheen Antonio Esfandiari Evan Mathis
2 February 27 Lucky Charms Week Bob Bounahra Bill Perkins Julie Yorn Jennifer Tilly David Silverman Evan Mathis Antonio Esfandiari
  • In September 2020, PokerGO launched Poker After Dark Studio Cuts which would see live streams cut into episodes. One Night in Vegas was one of the shows cut into Studio Cuts with the lone night of play split into two episodes.[21][27]
  • Antonio Esfandiari, David Silverman, Evan Mathis, and Jennifer Tilly each appeared on two shows each.

Season 12 (2020-21) edit

Season 12 was filmed inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino. After each day of play being live-streamed on PokerGO for seasons 8 to 11, Poker After Dark returned to an episodic format released weekly for Season 12.[28][29]

Week Episodes Scheduled Airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6 Seat 7
1 1-3 Dec. 13, 20, 27 Cry Me a River Alex Ding Scott Ball Andrew Sasson Damien LeForbes Antonio Esfandiari Ben Lamb Justin Young
2 4-7 Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 The Bratty Bunch David Sacks Jason Calacanis Phil Hellmuth Bill Gurley Chamath Palihapitiya Alan Keating
3 8-10 Feb. 1, 8, 15 The Fantastic Five Lynne Ji Matt Berkey James Romero Jake Daniels Sam Soverel
4 11-12 Feb. 22, Mar. 1 One Bourbon, One Shot, and No Fear Sam Soverel Jake Daniels Chris Johnson Jonathan Little Alex Ding Justin Young
5 13-14 Mar. 8, 15 Lesson Learned Jonathan Little James Romero Matt Affleck Brad Owen Faraz Jaka Justin Saliba
6 15-16 Mar. 22, 29 Not About Nick Matt Berkey Terry Fleischer Nick Schulman James Bord Scott Ball Jeremiah Williams
7 17-18 Apr. 5, 12 Blitz Week Bill Perkins Steve Aoki Mally Mall Dan Bilzerian Chris Eubank Jr. Lara Sebastian David Bell
8 19-21 Apr. 19, 26, May 3 Watch Your Step Ilyas Abayev Alex Ding Ronnie Bardah Frank Stepuchin Marle Cordeiro Alan Richardson
8 22-24 May 10, 17, 24 Watch Your Step Landon Tice Frank Stepuchin Ilyas Abeyev Marle Cordeiro Mike Matusow Alex Ding Ronnie Bardah
9 25-26 May 31, June 7 Gamblers Delight Dan Shak James Bord Lynne Ji Albert Destrade Jake Daniels Trevor Pope Bryan Ercolano
9 27-29 June 14, 21, 28 Gamblers Delight Bryan Ercolano Albert Destrade Lynne Ji Trevor Pope Jake Daniels Dan Shak
  • Season 12 of Poker After Dark returned to an episodic format that aired on Sunday evenings for Week 1 (Cry Me a River), before switching to Monday evenings for Week 2 (The Bratty Bunch) onwards.[28][30]
  • Veronica Brill was introduced as the sideline reporter for Season 12.[31]
  • Week 5 (Lesson Learned) was a $5,000 buy-in sit-n-go. James Romero defeated Matt Affleck and won $30,000.
  • Alex Ding and Jake Daniels both appeared in three weeks each.

Season 13 (2021) edit

Season 13 was filmed inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino. Episodes were released weekly on Mondays for Season 13.[1][32]

Week Episodes Scheduled Airdates Title Seat 1 Seat 2 Seat 3 Seat 4 Seat 5 Seat 6 Seat 7 Seat 8
1 1-3 July 19, 26, Aug. 2 The Nosebleeds Jake Daniels Zach Franzi Daniel Negreanu Matt Berkey Dan Smith MJ Gonzales Scott Seiver
2 4 Aug. 9 Action Arden Ben Yerushalaim Arden Cho Julie Yorn Phil Hellmuth Ryan Feldman Steven Dang Danielle Andersen Jeremy Levin
3 5-7 Aug. 16, 23, 30 Feeding Franzi Nick Wright Zach Franzi Joelle Parenteau Hish Salama Daniel Weinand Eli Elezra Maria Ho
4 8-10 Sept. 6, 13, 20 Fight Night Bruce Buffer Peter Jennings Maria Ho Phil Hellmuth Nick Wright Daniel Negreanu Jon Aguiar
5 11-12 Sept. 27, Oct. 4 Everything in its Wright Place Landon Tice Nick Wright Phil Hellmuth Melissa Schubert Eli Elezra Ema Zajmović Alan Richardson
6 13-15 Let Them Play Alexandra Botez MrBeast Phil Hellmuth Doyle Brunson Clay Travis Graham Stephan Ted Cruz
  • Veronica Brill continued as the sideline reporter for Season 13.[1]
  • Week 4 (Fight Night) was a $10,000 buy-in sit-n-go. Nick Wright defeated Phil Hellmuth and won $50,000.[33]
  • Week 6 (Let Them Play) aired on GGPoker's YouTube channel.

Results and notes edit

Results from cash game weeks, which Poker After Dark introduced in Season 4 and continued in Season 5, Season 6, and Season 7, are also omitted.

Season 1 (2007) edit

Week Title 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
1 Poker Brat Attack Phil Hellmuth Steve Zolotow Shawn Sheikhan Annie Duke Huck Seed Gus Hansen
2 Play Anything Jerry Buss Doyle Brunson Gabe Kaplan Mike Matusow David Grey Daniel Negreanu
3 WSOP Champions Carlos Mortensen Jamie Gold Doyle Brunson Chris Ferguson Chris Moneymaker Johnny Chan
4 Earphones Please Sam Farha Phil Hellmuth Andy Bloch Tony G Mike Matusow Phil Ivey
5 Phil Phil Doyle Brunson Erik Seidel Phil Hellmuth Jennifer Harman Antonio Esfandiari Phil Laak
6 Talking Heads Chad Brown Michael Konik Mike Sexton Gabe Kaplan Phil Gordon Howard Lederer
7 Against All Odds Sam Farha Ted Forrest Clonie Gowen Gus Hansen Tony G Chris Ferguson
8 Killer Table Erick Lindgren Phil Gordon Jennifer Tilly Phil Ivey Patrik Antonius Jennifer Harman
9 Loose Lips Barry Greenstein Mike Matusow David Benyamine Shawn Sheikhan Allen Cunningham John Juanda
10 Ladies' Week Vanessa Rousso Evelyn Ng Dee Luong Cyndy Violette Jennifer Harman Clonie Gowen
  • In the third episode of Week 1, the players continued to talk and make noise while Phil Hellmuth was trying to decide whether to go all-in against Annie Duke. Hellmuth held A 10, while Duke had K K. The lack of decorum caused Hellmuth to lash out at Shawn Sheikhan, call over the show's executive producer, and leave the table. Hellmuth also threatened not to participate in future Poker After Dark tournaments unless the show implemented a rule that encouraged people to stop talking when a player is making an important decision. Immediately after the incident, producers put in place a rule which states that if a player wishes to have silence at the table when faced with a tough decision, the player need only inform the dealer, who will then notify the other players of the request. Failure to comply will result in a "time-out" period of one lap of the button for the offending player(s), with blinds forfeited during this time.[34]

Season 2 (2007) edit

Week Title 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
1 Golden Men Greg Raymer Jamie Gold Huck Seed Doyle Brunson Johnny Chan Joe Hachem
2 International Gus Hansen Daniel Negreanu Marco Traniello David Benyamine Brad Booth Patrik Antonius
3 Queens and Kings Ali Nejad Annie Duke Vanessa Rousso Howard Lederer Kristy Gazes Gabe Kaplan
4 World Series Legends Chris Ferguson Layne Flack Erik Seidel T.J. Cloutier Phil Hellmuth Doyle Brunson
5 WPT All-Stars Michael Mizrachi Erick Lindgren Daniel Negreanu Gus Hansen Tuan Le Howard Lederer
6 Live To Hurt Mike Matusow Daniel Negreanu Phil Hellmuth Antonio Esfandiari Phil Laak Shawn Sheikhan
7 Poker Prowess Phil Laak Andy Bloch David Williams Annie Duke John Juanda Clonie Gowen
8 Mega Match David Benyamine Jennifer Harman Barry Greenstein Phil Ivey Eli Elezra Allen Cunningham
9 Of Mouth and Men Mike Matusow Alan Boston Antonio Esfandiari Paul Wasicka Jamie Gold Mike Sexton
10 Signature Week Jennifer Harman Gus Hansen Chris Ferguson Phil Hellmuth Howard Lederer Phil Ivey
  • In "International" week, Gus Hansen was knocked out after six hands, and heads-up play started after 53 hands, both record lows for the show.[35]

Season 3 (2008) edit

Week Title[16] 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
1 Dream Table Mike Matusow Daniel Negreanu Scotty Nguyen Ken Light Jennifer Harman Phil Hellmuth
2 19th Hole David Oppenheim Erick Lindgren Daniel Negreanu Doyle Brunson Phil Ivey Gavin Smith
3 Hecklers Mike Matusow Sam Grizzle Gavin Smith Jean-Robert Bellande Shawn Sheikhan Phil Hellmuth
4 World Champions Huck Seed Chris Ferguson Berry Johnston Jamie Gold Phil Hellmuth Johnny Chan
5 Cowboys Hoyt Corkins Doyle Brunson Chau Giang Chris Ferguson Andy Bloch Gabe Kaplan
6 International Daniel Negreanu John Juanda Gus Hansen Roland De Wolfe Patrik Antonius Johnny Chan
7 Jam Up Barry Greenstein Mike Matusow Eli Elezra Howard Lederer Antonio Esfandiari David Williams
8 Gus & Ladies J. J. Liu Gus Hansen Erica Schoenberg Beth Shak Clonie Gowen Vanessa Rousso
9 Love at First Raise Erica Schoenberg Phil Laak Jennifer Harman Jennifer Tilly Marco Traniello David Benyamine
10 Commentators Howard Lederer Phil Gordon Robert Williamson III Chad Brown Ali Nejad Mark Gregorich
  • "Dream Table" week featured a Poker After Dark first: Phil Hellmuth won by calling an all-in bet from both Ken Light and Jen Harman on the last hand, resulting in the first match to end with no heads-up play.
  • "Hecklers Week" featured a controversial situation which necessitated the producer having to come to the table. Phil Hellmuth attempted to bluff the river with pair of aces on the board in a hand against Jean-Robert Bellande, and Bellande called. Hellmuth then said "you got it" and held onto his cards, waiting for Bellande to show the winner. Bellande felt he did not have to show his hand, while Hellmuth thought "olden day etiquette" indicated that he should. The tournament was stopped for 5 minutes while all players voiced their opinions and eventually the producer came over and then Hellmuth showed his hand, necessitating that Bellande show his to claim the pot.[36]
  • "Jam Up" week featured a rule that allowed any player knocked out over the first six hands (once around the table) to rebuy. On the first hand, Eli Elezra was knocked out when his AK didn't crack Howard Lederer's AA when they both got all their chips in pre-flop. Eli was allowed to rebuy for another $20,000, which brought the total chips in play to $140,000, and the first place prize to $140,000.[35]
  • The "Best Of" episode that closed Season 5 featured Elezra's knockout on the first hand of Jam Up week, but did not make clear that he was able to rebuy after busting out on the first hand per that week's rules, and insinuated he was eliminated.

Season 4 (2008) edit

Weeks 1 and 7 were Cash Games #1 and #2, and are omitted from the results table.

Week Title[16] 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
2 Nets Vs. Vets Andrew Robl Johnny Chan Tom Dwan Huck Seed Doyle Brunson Brian Townsend
3 Heads Up Challenge Not Applicable Paul Wasicka Ted Forrest Chris Ferguson Phil Hellmuth
4 Mission Impossible David Williams Gavin Smith Mike Matusow Phil Hellmuth Phil Laak Clonie Gowen
5 Dream II Mike Sexton Mike Matusow Paul Featherstone Jennifer Harman Phil Hellmuth Gavin Smith
6 Mayfair Club Dan Harrington Mike Shichtman Steve Zolotow Mickey Appleman Howard Lederer Jay Heimowitz
  • The Heads Up Challenge used a double-elimination format. In the opening round, Chris Ferguson defeated Paul Wasicka and Phil Hellmuth defeated Ted Forrest. Hellmuth then defeated Ferguson to move on to the final, while Forrest's win against Wasicka eliminated Wasicka. Facing off with one loss each, Ferguson defeated Forrest to set up a Hellmuth-Ferguson final, where Hellmuth only needed to win one out of two matches while Ferguson needed to sweep both matches. Ferguson won the opener before Hellmuth won the finale. In each of Hellmuth's wins against Ferguson, he had pocket tens on the final hand.[citation needed]

Season 5 (2009) edit

Seven of the 16 weeks during season 5—Weeks 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16—were cash games, and are omitted from the results table.

Week Title[16] 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
1 Close but no Cigar David Williams Dewey Tomko Allen Cunningham Lee Watkinson Andy Black Mike Matusow
2 Speak Your Mind Phil Hellmuth Todd Brunson Gabe Kaplan David Grey Cory Zeidman Phil Gordon
3 Brilliant Minds David Sklansky Bill Chen Brandon Adams Jimmy Warren Chris Ferguson Andy Bloch
5 Dream Table III Mike Matusow Daniel Negreanu Phil Laak Arnold Thimons Jennifer Tilly Johnny Chan
6 International III David Benyamine John Phan Brad Booth Allen Cunningham Ivan Demidov John Juanda
9 Sit-n-Talk Mike Matusow Antonio Esfandiari Jean-Robert Bellande Jennifer Harman David Grey Vanessa Rousso
10 Celebrities and Mentors Jason Alexander Orel Hershiser Phil Gordon Barry Greenstein Don Cheadle Gavin Smith
13 Magnificent Six Howard Lederer Phil Ivey Doyle Brunson Daniel Negreanu Phil Hellmuth Chris Ferguson
14 USA vs. Italy Marco Traniello Chris Ferguson Max Pescatori Erick Lindgren Dario Minieri Howard Lederer
  • Season 5 started with three veteran Poker After Dark players securing their first PAD wins (Matusow, Gordon and Bloch).
  • In Celebrities and Mentors, the mentor-celebrity relationships were Greenstein-Alexander, Smith-Hershiser and Gordon-Cheadle.
  • Chris Ferguson had lost six times, including the Season 4 Heads-Up Challenge, before his Magnificent Six win became his first win since Season 1.[citation needed]
  • Howard Lederer became the first player to place last one week, and win the next week.[citation needed]

Season 6 (2010) edit

Six of the 13 weeks during season 6—Weeks 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, and 12—were cash games, and are omitted from the results table.

Week Title 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
1 Commentators III Kara Scott Ali Nejad Mark Gregorich Howard Lederer Joe Sebok Gabe Kaplan
2 Nicknames Erick Lindgren Annette Obrestad Mike Matusow Phil Hellmuth Antonio Esfandiari Phil Laak
5 My Favorite Pro Chris Ferguson James Ashby Steve Bartlett Craig Ivey Phil Hellmuth Jens Voertmann
6 He Said, She Said Erica Schoenberg Jean-Robert Bellande David Grey Annie Duke Mike Matusow Karina Jett
9 Lonesome Shark Erick Lindgren Antonio Esfandiari Brad Booth Mike Matusow David Williams James Akenhead
10 Mixed Martial Arts Patrik Antonius Randy Couture Erick Lindgren Dan Henderson Bruce Buffer Howard Lederer
13 Charity In Mind Howard Lederer Chris Ferguson Jennifer Harman Annie Duke Andy Bloch Phil Gordon
  • Gabe Kaplan's win in Commentators III week marked the greatest comeback in Poker After Dark history.[37]
  • Phil Laak's win in Nicknames week marked the first time a single player has won two Poker After Dark titles against the same opponent heads-up (he won both of his titles against Antonio Esfandiari, the first being in Phil Phil week from Season 1).
  • The My Favorite Pro tournament marked the first time every episode of play ended in an elimination.[citation needed]

Season 7 (2011) edit

As of April 9, 2011, 2 of the 4 weeks aired from season 6 were cash games, and are omitted from the results table. Week 11 wasn't originally aired on NBC, but are now available on PokerGO.

Week Title 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-Up Winner
1 SNG $100k Freezeout John Juanda Erick Lindgren Phil Galfond Tom Dwan Phil Ivey Huck Seed
4 SNG $50k Freezeout Doyle Brunson Annette Obrestad Andrew Lichtenberger Melanie Weisner Eric Baldwin Tom Dwan
11 SNG $20k Wish List Mike Matusow Mike Dappen Erica Schoenberg Jennifer Harman Phil Hellmuth Chris Ferguson
  • In week 4, Tom Dwan came back from below 40k in chips early to knock out both Andrew Lichtenberger and Melanie Weisner while trailing preflop both times, to finally finish the match against Eric Baldwin, again trailing preflop.[citation needed]

Season 8 (2017) edit

Only 3 weeks during Season 8 featured a high stakes sit & go, other episodes featured cash games and are omitted from the results table.

Week Title 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
2 Voices Carry Jean-Robert Bellande David Williams William Kassouf Mike Matusow Nick Schulman Matt Berkey
2 Voices Carry Scott Seiver Jason Koon Brian Rast Matt Berkey Nick Schulman Ben Lamb
2 Voices Carry Eric Worre Igor Kurganov Greg Mueller Jason Koon Randall Emmett Liv Boeree
3 Rumble with Jungle Isaac Haxton Doug Polk Daniel Cates Frank Kassela Brian Rast Jason Koon
10 Holidays with Hellmuth Mike Matusow Dan Shak Randall Emmett Antonio Esfandiari Phil Hellmuth Maria Ho
10 Holidays with Hellmuth Doyle Brunson Joseph Marchese David Penski Maria Ho Daniel Negreanu Phil Hellmuth

Season 9 (2018) edit

Only 1 week during Season 9 featured a high stakes sit & go, other episodes featured cash games and are omitted from the results table.

Week Title 7th Place 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
17 888poker Chris Moorman Jennifer Tilly Kelly Minkin Peter Martin Bill Klein Eli Elezra Maria Ho
17 888poker Maria Ho Bill Klein Chris Moorman Kelly Minkin Jennifer Tilly Otto Richard Eli Elezra

Season 10 (2019) edit

Only 3 weeks during Season 10 featured a high stakes sit & go, other episodes featured cash games and are omitted from the results table.

Week Title 7th Place 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
5 888poker II Dominik Nitsche Jennifer Tilly Mark Heintz Randall Emmett Chris Moorman Phil Hellmuth Ali Imsirovic
5 888poker II Jennifer Tilly Phil Hellmuth Dominik Nitsche Eli Elezra Randall Emmett Ali Imsirovic Chris Moorman
11 Showbound! Norm Macdonald Garry Gates Jamie Kerstetter Jamie Gold Woody Kaawar Chance Kornuth Maria Ho
11 Showbound! Jeff Platt Jamie Kerstetter Jamie Gold Clyde Lorance Chance Kornuth Sam Simmons Garry Gates
12 Whales vs. Wizards Randall Emmett Ali Imsirovic Dominik Nitsche Anthony Alberto Tom Schwartz Kitty Kuo Justin Young

Season 11 (2020) edit

Season 11 was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and only featured two weeks which were both cash games.

Season 12 (2021) edit

Only 1 week during Season 12 featured a high stakes sit & go, other episodes featured cash games and are omitted from the results table.

Week Title 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
5 Lesson Learned Brad Owen Jonathan Little Justin Saliba Faraz Jaka Matt Affleck James Romero

Season 13 (2021) edit

Only 1 week during Season 13 featured a high stakes sit & go, other episodes featured cash games and are omitted from the results table.

Week Title 7th Place 6th Place 5th Place 4th Place 3rd Place Runner-up Winner
4 Fight Night Maria Ho Bruce Buffer Daniel Negreanu Jon Aguiar Peter Jennings Phil Hellmuth Nick Wright

Reception edit

In the U.S., the show had some early ratings success: during season one's second week, it attracted on average a larger audience among adults 18-34 than The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson did the same week, even though the latter is broadcast 90 minutes earlier.[38]

Sponsorship edit

Full Tilt Poker regularly advertised during Poker After Dark broadcasts, and in some countries,[specify] Full Tilt Poker is included in the show's title, which for a time prompted players associated with a rival site (Poker Stars) to stop appearing on the show. Full Tilt Poker held promotional tournaments that offered a seat on the show as the grand prize. The first of these winners, Ken Light, appeared in the first week of Season 3, and was said[who?] to have picked his own opponents, though Light later said on the show itself that he was only asked to provide a list of his favorite players and that he did not know that players from the list would join him on the show.[5]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Although the standard buy-in on Poker After Dark is $20,000, the buy-in for the Mega Match (which first aired the week of October 8, 2007) was $50,000.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Poker After Dark Season 13 Premieres Tonight at 8 p.m. ET". PokerGO News. 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  2. ^ a b c d NBC Announces New Poker After Dark series[permanent dead link], from the NBC Universal Media Village website
  3. ^ NBC launches poker show Archived 2007-10-28 at the Wayback Machine from United Press International
  4. ^ B. Solomon (April 21, 2011). "Sponsorship Casualties Of US Online Poker Crusade". Retrieved 2011-10-11.
  5. ^ a b c Poker After Dark kicks off season with Dream Match
  6. ^ Cardplayer article on Season 4
  7. ^ "Veronica Brill to Host the Next Season of 'Poker After Dark'". Poker.org. 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  8. ^ a b c Season 4 preview from Poker News
  9. ^ "NBC Schedule".
  10. ^ "NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship Folds | LasVegasVegas.com - the Vegas News Blog". www.lasvegasvegas.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  11. ^ Katz, Dan (October 17, 2011). "2012 National Heads-Up Poker Championship Cancelled". Poker News Daily. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  12. ^ Poker Exklusiv Archived 2007-08-05 at the Wayback Machine on the DSF website
  13. ^ "TV Listings | Setanta". Archived from the original on 2009-12-12. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
  14. ^ a b c "Poker After Dark returns for second season". Archived from the original on July 4, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) from the NBC Sports website
  15. ^ pokerafterdark.com past matches Archived 2007-10-01 at the Wayback Machine from the NBC Sports website
  16. ^ a b c d e f 2008 Poker After Dark schedule Archived 2008-02-25 at the Wayback Machine from the NBC Sports website
  17. ^ Murphy, Steve (2008-12-29). "Poker After Dark's Fifth Season Debuts Tonight". CardPlayer.com. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  18. ^ "2009 Poker After Dark schedule". nbcsports.msnbc.com. Archived from the original on 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  19. ^ "PAD gears up for its sixth season - Poker on NBC- NBC Sports". Archived from the original on 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  20. ^ "Poker After Dark is Returning... on PokerGO!". Upswing Poker. 2017-07-12. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  21. ^ a b c "PokerGO Launches a New Series: Poker After Dark "Studio Cuts"". Cord Cutters News. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  22. ^ "Poker After Dark Power Play Studio Cut Episode 1 on Tonight at 8 p.m. ET". Poker Central. 2020-11-22. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  23. ^ ""Poker After Dark" Debuts in PokerGO Studio with "Open House" Week". Poker Central. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  24. ^ "Poker After Dark Studio Cut on Tonight with Paul Pierce & Phil Hellmuth". Poker Central. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  25. ^ "Online Qualifier Mark Heintz Battles the Best on Poker After Dark". www.888poker.com. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  26. ^ "RUNGOOD Poker Series Makes Dreams Come True on Poker After Dark". Poker Central. 2019-10-25. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  27. ^ "Poker After Dark One Night in Vegas Studio Cut Episode 1 on Tonight at 8 p.m. ET". Poker Central. 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  28. ^ a b "Poker After Dark Season 12 kicks off on December 13th on PokerGo!". VIP-Grinders. 2020-12-12. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  29. ^ "High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark Return December 2020". HighstakesDB. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  30. ^ "PokerGO Monthly Preview: January 2021 | Cardplayer Lifestyle". Cardplayer Lifestyle Poker. 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2021-03-05.
  31. ^ "Veronica Brill makes 'Poker After Dark' hosting debutq". Poker.org. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  32. ^ "Negreanu Goes Wild with Seven-Five Offsuit on Poker After Dark Season 13 Debut". www.pokernews.com. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  33. ^ "Find Out How Nick Wright Left Phil Hellmuth "Seething" on Latest Poker After Dark". www.pokernews.com. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  34. ^ Poker After Dark Week 1 Recap Archived 2007-02-04 at the Wayback Machine from the NBC Sports website
  35. ^ a b Nejad's commentary[vague]
  36. ^ Poker After Dark Hecklers Recap Archived 2008-01-23 at the Wayback Machine from the PAD website
  37. ^ "Poker After Dark: Commentators III recap - Poker on NBC- nbcsports.MSNBC.com". Archived from the original on 2010-01-16. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  38. ^ Poker After Dark Draws ratings Archived 2007-02-26 at archive.today, a January 2007 Bodog Online poker blog entry

External links edit