New Poker After Dark: “U.S.A. vs. Italy”

It’s the red, white, and blue against the red, white, and green in one of PAD’s most entertaining matches ever

NBC’s Poker After Dark has featured international weeks before, but never a week where three players from one country squared off against three players from another. That’s exactly what happens this week, however, as Chris Ferguson, Howard Lederer, and Erick Lindgren will represent the United States against three of Italy’s finest in Marco Traniello, Max Pescatori, and Dario Minieri. Each will put up $20,000 and compete for the $120,000 winner-take-all first prize.

Ferguson is fresh off a victory in “The Magnificent Six,” where he became only the third player in PAD history to eliminate all five of his opponents in a match while bringing his overall record on the show to 2-7. Lederer also participated in that match but was eliminated in 6th place, and now sports a PAD record of 2-6. Lindgren is still looking for his first PAD title, being winless in three attempts, so you know he will be motivated to break into the win column.

This match marks the PAD debut of two of the Italians in Pescatori and Minieri. Pescatori is a two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, and ranks 2nd on Italy’s all-time live tournament winnings list. Minieri, with his trademark scarf, has also won a WSOP bracelet and has a large following among the Internet community where he has made quite a name for himself with his aggressive play. Traniello, with 22 lifetime WSOP cashes in just five years, is making his third appearance on PAD and looking for his first victory.

Brief profiles of all six players follow. The match will begin airing on NBC late night Monday at 2:05 a.m., September 28, 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, October 3, 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 and analyses. Check your local listings for the exact times in your area. Viewers can also watch the action at www.nbcsports/msnbc.com/poker.

This is an exciting and entertaining match. There are several lead changes, and the players agree that the winner of a hand will show one card if the hand doesn’t go to showdown. This creates a different table dynamic that becomes especially interesting as more players get knocked out. It is obvious that the Italian players are also playing for national pride, which is refreshing to see. But above all, there is some real poker played in this match, with one player in particular displaying a gear not often seen on this show which frustrates his opponents and often leaves them dumbfounded. The heads-up battle for the title is also one you won’t want to miss.

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