World Series of Blackjack

The World Series of Blackjack is a televised blackjack tournament created and produced by the cable network GSN. It is a closed tournament; players are either invited to play or can attempt to win a spot via a satellite tournament. Rounds are edited into 1-hour episodes and broadcast on GSN. Matt Vasgersian and Max Rubin provided commentary for the first two seasons. Tiki Arsenault was the dealer for Season 1 as Deanna Bacon was the dealer for Seasons 2 and 3 while Jessica Knight was the dealer for Season 4.

Season 1 premiered on weekly on March 15, 2004 with a co-host, Melana Scantlin.

Season 2 premiered on weekly on January 21, 2005 with a new co-host, Megan Riordan.

Season 3 premiered on weekly on June 5, 2006 as part of GSN's Casino Night (retooled, with High Stakes Poker, as Vegas Night) programming block, with new hosts John Fugelsang and Ben Mezrich.

Season 4 premiered on GSN on June 4, 2007. A field of 40 players, including Celebrity Blackjack champion Caroline Rhea, baseball star Orel Hershiser and magician Penn Jillette competed for a $1 million prize pool. Vasgersian returned as commentator.

The rules (as of season 4) are as follows:

The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Connecticut. First place will win $10,000 and move on to the Final table while Second place will win $5,000 and move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Final table. First place at the Final table will win $100,000 USD grand prize.

Mike Aponte, a former member of the MIT Blackjack Team, won the Season 1 championship and $100,000.

The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. First place will move on to the Semi-Final table while Second place will move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Semi-Final table. The top two finishers in the Semi-Final table will move on to the Final table for chance at winning $250,000 USD grand prize. First place at the Final table will win $250,000 USD grand prize.

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