Las Vegas Weekly

August 1, 2008 · 3:04 PM

Poker stars get new role in interactive card show

By Robin Leach

From left to right in the back row are Scotty Nguyen, Eli Elezra, Gavin Smith, Phil Hellmuth Jr., Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak and Todd Brunson. On the table is Jennifer Harman. In the front are Doyle Brunson and Daniel Negreanu.

Photo: Courtesy

Poker has become the deal of the century: It gets giant ratings from viewers tuning in to television. Thousands stand for hours to watch the poker princes and princesses do battle at the big purse tournaments. Now, it's going live for the first time as theater -- and audiences can sit beside the big-name pros! Veteran television producer Merv Adelson is betting The Real Deal! will be the next smash hit on the Strip. It will premiere this fall at the Venetian as an interactive production with handheld Wi-Fi consoles. Wayne Brady’s theater will host the unique "game show" every afternoon at 4 p.m., starting in previews Oct. 1 with the premiere on Oct. 14. Additional nighttime shows will play when Wayne gets his twice-a-week 'dark' days.

Six audience members will be chosen to sit at the table with two pros who will rotate from a talent pool, made up of: Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth Jr., Antonio Esfandiari, Gavin Smith, Eli Elezra, Jennifer Harman, Phil Laak, Scotty Nguyen and Todd Brunson. The entire audience participates in the final round through touchscreen technology and wins points for prizes that can accrue up to a $1 million grand prize.

"The Venetian sets the standard for entertainment in Las Vegas and we are excited to add The Real Deal! to our existing lineup of world-class shows,” said Jason Gastwirth, vice president of entertainment for Las Vegas Sands Corp. “When looking for a new concept to add to our entertainment lineup, we searched for an entirely new experience that would promote audience participation while incorporating well-known personalities that shine beyond the bright lights of the Strip -- we found that in The Real Deal! with players who have won eight WPT championships, 35 WSOP bracelets and racked up $48 million in tournament prize purses."

Casting is now underway for the show's host, with producers talking with well-known comedians. "Poker fans have been able to view and enjoy professional poker action for years on television," said Doyle Brunson, the show’s lead poker professional. "This is different. Everyone in the audience can be in the game and compete with the pros and other guests. It is a one-of-a-kind-poker experience."

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