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[01/15/05 - 12:00 AM]
Gamblin' Granny' Creates #1 Poker Show in America, 'Ultimate Poker Challenge'

[via press release from Ultimate Poker Challenge]

'Gamblin' Granny' Creates #1 Poker Show in America, 'Ultimate Poker Challenge'

90-Year-Old C.E.O. Is Poker's New Queen

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 15 -- At age 90, Florence Pugliese is not your average poker player.

Pugliese, the C.E.O. of Passport International Productions of CA, Inc., gambled on her son's idea to produce a poker show that everyone could enjoy. The result was "Ultimate Poker Challenge," the first syndicated poker program, which reaches more U.S. households than any other poker show.

Americans are tuning in to watch their favorite players compete for cash and prizes on "Ultimate Poker Challenge," thanks to Mrs. Pugliese. "The show brings the thrill of Las Vegas right into your living room," said Mrs. Pugliese.

"Ultimate Poker Challenge" brings together male and female; amateurs and pros alike to compete for a chance to play in the semi-finals and a shot at the championship title, cash and prizes. Nick "The Kid" Bouyea of New York, proved, anyone can win. Just 22, Bouyea advanced to the semi-finals in the opening tournament. But this isn't just a man's game. Kathy Liebert beat out six male players during the sixth week of play.

"Ultimate Poker Challenge" is the only tournament offering an unprecedented seven seats per table, 26 final tables and 182 chances to participate in televised tournament action. "Ultimate odds for anyone wanting to get in on the action," said Dan Pugliese, Executive Producer. Each week, field correspondent Brandi Williams, named one of the 50 sexiest women of 2004, entertains viewers with her allure, smile and Vegas style. Brandi will be joined by world-renowned poker player Daniel Negreneau during the semi- finals on February 12 and 19 and the legendary Doyle Brunson, along with his son Todd, during the championship tournament on February 26. "Ultimate Poker Challenge" will be re-aired in its entirety beginning in March. Passport Entertainment will be in Las Vegas January 25 - 27, to introduce a new season of "Ultimate Poker Challenge" at NATPE.

"Ultimate Poker Challenge" is produced by the International Poker Championship Series, Inc. and distributed by Passport Entertainment. For more information, please visit http://www.ultimatepokerchallenge.com.

About Passport Entertainment

Passport Entertainment is a division of Passport International Productions of CA, Inc., a full-service production and worldwide distribution company, which maintains an extensive catalog of audio, television and video programming. For more information, please visit http://www.passportproductions.com.

For further information please contact: Victoria Robles of Passport Entertainment, +1-818-760-1500, victoriar@passportproductions.com

SOURCE Ultimate Poker Challenge
Web Site: http://www.passportproductions.com





  [january 2005]  
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· ULTIMATE POKER CHALLENGE (SYNDICATION)





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