Cat Cay Bahamas

LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/02/09 -- The response has been overwhelming. More than four million viewers watched a poker playing priest from South Carolina win $100,000 on the debut of the "PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge," with millions more tuning in to see an Army National Guard sergeant and Boston liquor salesman each take home big money in the second and third episodes of the most popular network television poker game show in history. Plus, nearly 100,000 people went online to play in the free PokerStars.net $100,000 giveaway after getting the secret password announced within each episode.

Now PokerStars.net and FOX Sports are giving viewers even more reasons to watch the next "PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge" installment, airing on Sunday, Dec. 13 directly after NFL on FOX coverage.* Be sure to check out:

New celebrities: Current Playboy cover model, Maxim's Sexiest Swimsuit Model in the World and "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Joanna Krupa will join previously announced "PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge" celebrity defender UFC Champion Tito Ortiz to serve as the first line of defence against online qualifiers in their quest for $1,000,000.

New Team PokerStars.net Pro: If the contestants manage to get past Krupa and Lott, they may end up facing the newly crowned World Series Of Poker Main Event Champion and newest member of Team PokerStars.net: Joe Cada. The 21-year old bracelet winner from Michigan is coming to Los Angeles to join 2003 WSOP champion Chris Moneymaker and Team PokerStars.net Pro and Go Daddy Girl Vanessa Rousso as second round opponents.

The object of the game remains the same -- win three heads-up matches for the opportunity to take on Daniel "Kid Poker" Negreanu heads up for $1,000,000. Getting there won't be easy. Contestants face a gauntlet of heads up matches, win and advance. Lose and go home:

--  Round 1: Take on Krupa or Lott in a fast-paced match.
--  Round 2: Face off against Moneymaker, Cada, or Rousso.
--  Round 3 and Round 4: Back-to-back heads up matches against four-time
    WSOP bracelet winner Negreanu.
    

Getting past the first two defenders is a tough task, but the challenger will have help. For each of the first two rounds, Negreanu will serve as a coach, discussing hands and offering advice, first sitting at the table beside the challenger in the celebrity heads up match, then moving into a specially-designed isolation booth when the challenger takes on the Team PokerStars.net Pro. For every level Negreanu helps the challenger win, PokerStars.net will donate $10,000 to a charity of Negreanu's choice.

The prizes for each victory

-- Round 1: A trip to the Bahamas for the PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure

-- Round 2: $25,000. Take the money and walk or risk it against Negreanu for a chance to win $100,000.

-- Round 3: $100,000. The money is yours and you earn a seat at the final show's Table of Champions, where one player will have a chance to play Daniel heads up for $1,000,000.

-- Round 4: A life-changing $1,000,000.

Plus, the "PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge" wouldn't be complete without something for poker fans at home. Viewers will have a chance to enter a freeroll tournament on PokerStars.net as part of the PokerStars.net $100,000 giveaway. Twice during each show, PokerStars.net will announce a special contest that will give viewers a chance to win easy money.**

Veteran FOX Sports announcer Chris Rose hosts the "PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge." The former host of FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period," who also handles NFL on FOX and MLB on FOX coverage, Rose has an extensive poker background, having served as host for three seasons of FSN's "Poker Superstars Invitational" as well as the network's "Poker at the Plaza" tournament.

*Check local listings. "PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge" will air before NFL action in some markets.

**Go to Pokerstars.net for a full list of contest rules and qualifications.

About PokerStars.net:

PokerStars.net is the world's largest online poker school with over 26 million members worldwide. It's the premier destination for the world's top players -- with numerous tournaments running every day. PokerStars.net is renowned for offering the best software and security in the online poker world. PokerStars.net:

--  Has dealt over 32 billion hands
--  Has run more than 190 million poker tournaments
--  Holds the Guinness Book of World Records for 'Largest Online Poker
    Tournament' and 'Most Players at an Internet Poker Room'
    

PokerStars.net is the official sponsor of the European Poker Tour, PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure, Latin American Poker Tour, Asia Pacific Poker Tour and The World Cup of Poker. PokerStars.net is the home of Team PokerStars.net Pro, a group of over 30 veteran and up-and-coming players from around the world who play online at PokerStars.net and are sponsored by the site in international tournaments around the world. For more information please visit www.pokerstars.net.

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