THE INTERCONTINENTAL POKER CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUTS ON CBS SPORTS JUNE 17 New York, NY, June 12, 2006 – CBS Sports will present coverage of the Intercontinental Poker Championship (IPC), with eight weekend shows starting Saturday, June 17 and continuing through Saturday, July 22, as part of its “CBS Sports Spectacular” programming line-up. The No-limit Texas Hold ‘Em competition features a distinct international format, assembling -- by invitation only -- 21 of the world’s top poker players, from 21 different countries, competing in a series of matches with the eventual winner taking home $350,000. The runner-up wins $150,000. CBS Sports Telecast Schedule Date/Time Saturday, June 17, 5–6 p.m. ET Saturday, June 24, 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET Sunday, June 25, 5–6 p.m. ET Saturday, July 1, 5–6 p.m. ET Sunday, July 2, 3–4 p.m. ET Saturday, July 8, 5–6 p.m. ET Saturday, July 15, 3–4 p.m. ET Saturday, July 22, 5–6 p.m. ET Veteran sportscaster Jeff Medders will handle the play by play with multi-talented poker player, TV analyst and star television/movie actor Gabe Kaplan providing expert commentary. IPC Poker Players Country/Name Australia: Antanas Guoga Canada: Daniel Negreanu China: Johnny Chan Costa Rica: Humberto Brenes England: Dave Ulliott France: David Benyamine Ireland: Don O’Dea Israel: Eli Elezra Italy: Marco Traniello Japan: Yosh Nakano Lebanon: Sammy Farha Mexico: Refugio Quintero Norway: Thor Hansen Pakistan: Hasan Habib Russia: Ralph Perry Spain: Carlos Mortensen South Africa: Stephen Wolff South Korea: Jimmy Cha Sweden: Chris Bjorin United States: Brunson, Doyle Vietnam: Chau Giang The international flavor of the event is accentuated prominently in the CBS Sports broadcasts, with the display of each of the country’s flag and the playing of each country’s national anthem as part of the event presentation. The IPC is produced by HSOR Inc., a major producer of television poker. “Poker is hot,” said Henry Orenstein, the HSOR president whose patented concept of allowing home television viewers to see the “hole cards” helped vault poker into the mainstream prominence that it enjoys today. “It rivals soccer and tennis as a pastime of worldwide appeal. Poker is now watched by tens of millions of people around the world.” The tournament was captured for broadcast by CBS Sports at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV on April 14-16.
