GSN to air "Annie Duke Takes on the World" this spring

GSN, the Game Show Network, is set to air the first episode of its new poker series, "Annie Duke Takes on the World," this coming May, it was recently announced. The series is being described as a hybrid poker show where amateur poker players get to compete against a world class professional - Ms. Duke.

The series will be co-hosted by Duke and actor Regan Burns. Each episode will feature four amateur players competing for the chance to play heads-up Texas Hold'em with Ms. Duke, while the pro player and Burns impart Hold'em knowledge and critique the beleaguered competitors. The last player remaining at the table will play one-on-one with Duke in a high stakes game.

According to Ian Valentine, senior vice-president of programming, GSN, who announced the show’s production at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour late last week, the show will air beginning on Monday, May 1, 2006, at 9 p.m. (EST/PST).