NBC CASHES IN ON POKER'S POPULARITY WITH 'FACE THE ACE,' NEW REALITY POKER GAME SHOW PREMIERING SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

Hosted by Steve Schirripa ("The Sopranos"), Amateurs Play Against World-Class Poker Players in Heads-Up, No Limit Hold'Em For a Chance at the Ultimate Prize of $1 million

After Back-to-Back Saturday Primetime Shows, Series Will Air on Saturday Afternoons Beginning in September

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. - April 29, 2009 - NBC announced that it is cashing in on the popularity of poker with the premiere of "Face the Ace," hosted by Steve Schirripa ("The Sopranos"), that will feature contestants selected from an online search who will showdown against superstar professional players in Las Vegas. The series will premiere on Saturday, August 1 (9-10 p.m. ET) and continue on Saturday, August 8 (9-10 p.m. ET) before future air dates on Saturday afternoons beginning in September.

"Face the Ace" will feature four smoked-glass doors -- behind each is a legendary professional poker player. In each episode, one or more lucky contestants get to pick an "Ace" and their opponent will emerge from behind one of the doors. They will play heads-up no limit Hold'Em, an exciting game that requires confidence, aggression and bluffing.

The contestant will play up to three different "Aces" in a series of heads-up matches. If the contestant wins his first match, he can elect to take what he's won and go home. If he wants to keep going, he can risk his winnings and plays a second heads-up match against a different "Ace" for substantially more prize money. If he wins that second match, he can leave his winnings behind and risk everything against a third Ace for a chance to win $1 million. If the contestant loses any match, he walks away with nothing.

Eligibility is open to anyone 21 and older. Potential contestants can go online at www.facetheace.com or www.fulltiltpoker.net to play for a chance to be on the show. Fulltiltpoker.net will host qualifying tournaments and the top finishers will go to Las Vegas for a chance to be a contestant on the show.

NBC also broadcasts the popular "Poker After Dark" (Mondays-Fridays, 2:05-3:05 a.m.; Saturdays, 1-2 a.m.; check local listings) and the National Heads-Up Poker Championship.

"Face the Ace" is created by Poker Productions, the producers of "Poker After Dark."