A battle that brings
together poker's best
Showdown to decide the
sport's ultimate champion
 World Poker Tour Howard Lederer is a poker genius who plays with great precision, according to NBCSports.com contributors Shana Hiatt and Vince Van Patten. |
Poker's impressive rise in popularity is such that for the first time the sport's ultimate champion will be crowned on network television. Champions from seven different countries who won titles during the World Poker Tour's first season are featured in a high-stakes showdown -- The World Poker Tour Tournament of Champions, to air nationally on NBC from 4-6 p.m. ET on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1. Below, Shana Hiatt and Vince Van Patten, commentators on the telecast, provide a look at some of the world-class players vying for a six-figure cash prize.
GUS HANSEN
Shana Hiatt: A big-money winner at the table, who isn't afraid of anyone and who takes so many chances -- something he's known for.
Away from the poker playing, Hansen displays charm and charisma and rarely is he not smiling.
He's a lovable guy when not playing, so it's just amazing that he is so different when at the table, which is when he becomes all business and gets into a zone where his focus never wavers.
Vince Van Patten: A true poker savant.
He'll play any hand with anyone at anytime.
He's an extremely unpredictable gambling genius, watch him with awe, but don't look to duplicate what he does in your weekly game.
The ultimate bluffer.
JUHA HELPPI
Shana Hiatt: He joined the tour last season in Aruba and since then he's been in there with the best of the players.
He's young and I consider him a true rising star in the game.
Away from poker, he's shy, but shows a great sense of humor, which you wouldn't think he had when watching him at the table.
Vince Van Patten: A colorful, young poker expert with great passion for the game.
A true lover of his purple-mirrored sunglasses that he always seems to wear.
A former card dealer at a casino in Europe, who quickly has become a great card player.
CHRIS KARAGULLEYAN
Shana Hiatt: He's got the good looks, is a sharp dresser and is very complimentary towards other, especially women, but don't let that image fool you as at the table, he displays a killer instinct and is an amazing player.
When he's at the table, sometimes he shows the high stress by occasionally twitching, which may be his way of masking all his other "tells."
In a contrast, during an interview in front of a camera, he's as relaxed as can be.
Vince Van Patten: A wild, fearless, unpredictable, caffeine-induced young star.
He can play with anyone and does so with purpose.
As for his purposes in life, meeting beautiful women is at the top of the list, and that becomes easier after he wins major titles.
HOWARD LEDERER
Shana Hiatt: The man of steel, who plays with great precision and having a background in chess, likely has something to do with that.
An excellent, even amazing player, who away from the game, is a classy, well-spoken gentleman.
He has a presence that you certainly are aware of -- both when he's playing and not playing.
Vince Van Patten: The player's player -- a real life poker professor.
And like a professor, he's super intense in thinking things through.
He's very intense, highly competitive, a poker genius who is a human calculator with great people-reading talent.
In short, a living poker legend.
RON ROSE
Shana Hiatt: A great player, who at the table is an extremely aggressive and confident player, but away from the table, he is shy with a laid-back demeanor.
That to me shows a quite a range in his personality.
When he's not playing poker, Rose is a really calm person, who smiles a lot and is very complimentary towards others.
Vince Van Patten: A solid, intimidating poker star, who looks a little like Peter Graves from the old "Mission Impossible" television series.
He has a great poker face and is instinctive and fearless at the table with the ability to outdraw Picasso.
Rose isn't flashy when playing, but he's Mr. Solid, who finds a way to make it happen.
JOSE ROSENKRANTZ
Shana Hiatt: I've gotten to know many of the Costa Rican players, Jose among them, and they have this really cool strategy at the table of taking no prisoners.
They are really great players.
Away from the table, Rosenkrantz is happy and energetic.
It seems like this high energy is what pushes Rosenkrantz through to final tables.
Vince Van Patten: The Costa-Rican madman, who is street smart and good natured, but when sitting at the same table with him, don't let his pearly-white smile fool you because he is a poker piranha who is always looking for fresh meat.
Rosenkrantz is superstitious and seems to be always wearing his lucky yellow shirt.
For Player standings, poker lingo, tournament schedules and more, visit worldpokertour.com
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