The first of seven weeks of cash games that will air on the 5th season of NBC’s Poker After Dark takes place this week as three of poker’s most successful online cash game players battle against three of poker’s more seasoned veterans of live cash games. Putting up a minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $250,000 to begin play are Taylor “Green Plastic” Caby, Cole “CTS” South, and David “Raptor” Benefield, all instructors at the poker training site CardRunners.com, as well as long-time cash game players and fan favorites Doyle Brunson, Gabe Kaplan, and Eli Elezra.
Anticipation for this week’s game has been building for some time among members of the Internet community. Caby, South, and Benefield have gained considerable recognition in the poker world for their success playing in cash games online, creating quite a fan base as a result. While Benefield has had some television time as he has played in more tournaments, this will be the first television appearance ever for both Caby and South, so it will be interesting to see how they all fare under the lights and with cameras scrutinizing their every move.
Brunson, Kaplan, and Elezra, of course, are used to all of the hoopla involved in playing on television, as they have done so many times in the past. All three participated in the cash game that took place during Week 37 of Poker After Dark, one in which Brunson continued his streak of never losing in a cash game played on television. Whether he can keep his record intact against this group should be only one of the reasons for fans to tune in this week and watch.
Brief profiles of all six players follow. The match will begin airing on NBC late night Monday at 2:05 a.m., February 16, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot. A special program called the “Director’s Cut” will air late night Saturday, February 21, at 1:00 a.m., right after Saturday Night Live. This show will feature Leeann Tweeden with a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews. Viewers can also watch the match at www.nbcsports/msnbc.com/poker.
The game will start with blinds at $200/$400, but look for antes to be added and the stakes to be raised with the mutual consent of the players. Straddles will be prevalent, and the deuce/seven prop bet will also be introduced very early into the action. The table is cordial and friendly, and despite the large sums of money at stake, everyone clearly appears to be having a good time, making for an enjoyable as well as educational viewing experience.
Caby, Taylor: (Seat 1)
· Also known as “Green Plastic,” a name he took from the band Radiohead’s semi-official fan website, GreenPlastic.com
· A 25 year-old native of Chicago, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in finance is the founding member and a lead instructor for CardRunners.com
· After losing an initial $50 online deposit as a college freshman, he turned his next $35 deposit into six figures
· Rarely plays live tournaments, preferring instead to play in online NLHE cash games
· Once was invited to New York City by one of his online opponents who was impressed with his intelligence to serve as his apprentice for a prominent hedge fund
South, Cole: (Seat 2)
· Also known as “CTS” online and a 21 year-old native of Williamsburg, VA
· Is a member and lead instructor at CardRunners.com, and whose first instructional video was viewed 14,000 times on its first day of availability, a single day record
· Began playing poker online in 2005 and is recognized for his hyper-loose aggressive style of play, both in NLHE and Pot-Limit Omaha
· Frequent player in the highest stakes cash games online, competing regularly against the likes of Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, and David Benyamine
· Purchased a $200,000 Bentley coupe with his online poker winnings, a small fraction of what he has amassed in ring game winnings
Kaplan, Gabe: (Seat 3)
· Long time actor and comedian best remembered for his role in the 1970’s hit television sitcom Welcome Back Kotter
· Proficient in many games, and has played poker for more than 30 years
· Career tournament winnings in excess of $1.34 million
· In 1980, challenged 1978 World Champion Bobby Baldwin and 1979 World Champion Hal Fowler to $200,000 heads-up freezeouts, and defeated them both
· Oft-seen analyst on several poker television programs and highly regarded for his knowledge of the game and the humor he infuses into his commentary
Benefield, David: (Seat 4)
· Also known as “Raptor” online, and a 22 year-old native of Fort Worth, TX
· Became an instructor for CardRunners.com in April 2008, and now makes videos targeted at improving play in mid- and high-stakes NLHE cash games
· Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $202,000
· Went deep in the 2008 WSOP Championship, finishing 77th, and was the chip leader at one point during Day 5
· Began playing poker online in 2004, and is known for an unorthodox playing style which has resulted in him winning a substantial amount of money
Brunson, Doyle: (Seat 5)
· At the age of 75, perhaps the greatest player of all time, and is the author of several books, including Super System and Super System II
· Back-to-back World Series of Poker Champion in 1976 and 1977
· Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $5.55 million, and ranks 34th on the all-time money list
· Owner of 10 WSOP bracelets, tied for 2nd with Johnny Chan
· Had the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic renamed the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic in his honor in 2007
Elezra, Eli: (Seat 6)
· A native of Israel, he served in the Israeli army in a commando unit similar to the Green Berets in the United States
· Won his first World Series bracelet in 2007 in 7-card stud hi/lo, and also owns one WPT title
· Lifetime tournament winnings in excess of $1.89 million
· Highly successful Las Vegas businessman and entrepreneur who owns several retail establishments on the Las Vegas Strip
· Frequent player in the “Big Game” at Bellagio, but considers poker just a hobby
By Dennis Oehring
Free $100 Bankroll at Full Tilt Poker
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