Poker-Themed Stage Show at Venetian

I'm not big on seeing shows when i'm in vegas.
I'm there to play poker !
BUT, I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO SEE THIS ! !


The Venetian Announces Poker-Themed Stage Show
by Shari Geller

The Venetian is bringing poker and entertainment
together as never before with the launch of the
first ever live, interactive poker-themed stage show,
"The Real Deal!". Opening this fall, the show will
bring to the Venetian showroom some of the
biggest names in poker and will combine humor,
technology, prizes, and poker in what is described
as a "wildly-fun, fast-paced action that will entertain
poker enthusiasts and non-players alike."

The show will provide audience members with
a unique opportunity to play against and alongside
the biggest names in poker both on-stage and
from their seats through the use of wireless
touch-screen devices. The roster of pros who
will take part includes Doyle Brunson,
Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth Jr.,
Antonio Esfandiari, Gavin Smith,
Eli Elezra, Jennifer Harman, Phil Laak,
Scotty Nguyen, and Todd Brunson.

"Poker fans have been able to view
and enjoy professional poker action for years
on television," said Doyle Brunson.
"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."

The audience will have a number of different
ways to play and win prizes. Six members of the
audience will be selected to compete on stage
against two of the poker pros in a Texas Hold'em
tournament format. At the same time, the rest
of the audience will compete for points via
mobile touch-screen devices mounted on their
seats through wagers on the action and various
prop bets, such as the suit of cards dealt on the flop.

Audience members also earn points for their play
of a virtual "ninth hand" which will compete against
the eight players on stage. The points earned by
audience members can be turned into prizes
ranging from "The Real Deal!" logoed merchandise
to home electronics. Audience members will have a
shot at random prizes, logo merchandise to jewelry
and plasma-screen TVs. About 40 to 50 spectators
should walk out with a prize, and sometimes everyone
will get a gift, show representatives say.

During each show, the pro with the most chips,
the last surviving on-stage amateur player, and
the point leader from the audience will compete
in a three-handed finale.

"The Venetian sets the standard for
entertainment in Las Vegas and we are
excited to add 'The Real Deal!' to our existing
line-up of world-class shows," stated
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!'."

The top prize, $1 million, can be won
at each show. Four times during the show,
audience members will select five face-down
cards from a standard 52-card deck on their
hand-held device; the ten with the highest
valued poker hand will advance to a final
round. The 40 qualifiers will then pick one
more five-card hand on their hand-held device.
If anyone hits a royal flush –1 in 649,740 odds-
they will win the million dollar prize.

The announcement of "The Real Deal!"
was made jointly by the Venetian and
veteran Hollywood producer Merv Adelson,
creator of such shows as "Dallas" and
"Falcon Crest." "Never before has poker
been so integrated with entertainment,"
said Adelson (no relation to Sheldon
Adelson, Chairman and CEO of
The Venetian's parent company,
Las Vegas Sands Corp.). "The popularity
of poker is unquestioned, as is the
viability of live game show experiences
in Las Vegas. 'The Real Deal!' will keep
guests laughing and give them the unique
chance to get into the heads of the world's
best pros as they share tips and strategy
throughout the fast-paced game. We know
it will quickly become a hot ticket."

The show's producers are currently
looking for a well-known comedian to host
the show and bring both humor and poker
information to the audience.

(Later announced to be PAUL RODRIGUEZ)

"The Real Deal!" is scheduled to open
Oct. 14. Starting times are 4 p.m. six days
a week (dark on Sunday) and 7 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday.
Prices are expected to be $75
in the afternoon, $85 in the evening.
A limited number of VIP tickets, for $125,
will provide backstage access to poker pros.
Audience members must be 21.
More information, www.therealdeallv.com.