The Pro-Am Poker Equalizer is a televised poker tournament in which professional poker players play Texas hold 'em against celebrities which began airing on ESPN in January 2007. In order to "equalize" the playing field, the celebrities start the tournament with 50% more chips than the professionals. The Pro-Am Poker Equalizer is commentated by Phil Gordon and Ali Nejad. The winners of each of the six regular episodes will face off in the final episode for a $500,000 grand prize.
Episodes
Six episodes of the Equalizer have been produced, featuring commentary by Phil Gordon and Ali Nejad, and sideline reporting and interviews by Mieke Buchan. The series features the following celebrities and pros:
Episode 1 (first aired January 7, 2007):
Phil Ivey (episode winner) John Juanda Erick Lindgren Daniel Negreanu José Canseco Cheryl Hines
Episode 2:
Johnny Chan
Gus Hansen
Mike Matusow
Shawn Sheikhan
Yancey Arias
Nicholas Gonzalez (episode winner)
Episode 3:
Allen Cunningham (episode winner) Ted Forrest Clonie Gowen David Williams Penn Jillette Jennifer Tilly (as a celebrity despite having won a bracelet at the World Series of Poker)
Episode 4:
Chris Ferguson
Jennifer Harman
Phil Laak (episode winner) Howard Lederer Cindy Margolis Jeremy Sisto
Episode 5:
Andy Bloch (episode winner) Gabe Kaplan Erik Seidel Gavin Smith Don Cheadle Shannon Elizabeth
Episode 6:
David Benyamine
Jamie Gold
Jeff Madsen
Huck Seed (episode winner) Jason Alexander Shana Hiatt
Championship:
Huck Seed
Andy Bloch (champion - $500,000) Phil Laak (runner up - $150,000) Allen Cunningham Nicholas Gonzalez Phil Ivey