David Williams Proves He's the Best Poker Player of His Generation in GSN's First Same Day Poker Special 'Poker Royale: Young Bloods'

Professional poker player David Williams is the winner of GSN's Poker Royale: Young Bloods. (PRNewsFoto)

WILLIAMS EARNS $20K FOR HIS WIN; ERIN NESS COMES IN SECOND

Under 30 Tournament Featured Princeton Senior Michael Sandberg, Back-to-Back WSOP Champ Scott Fischman and L.A. Poker Classic Champion Michael Mizrachi

LOS ANGELES, May 21 -- David Williams proved he was the best poker player of his generation today, winning a special invitational No Limit Texas Hold'em tournament that was televised by GSN, the Network for Games. The 24-year-old Williams faced off against five other top young rising stars under the age of 30 in the network's first-ever poker special POKER ROYALE: YOUNG BLOODS which aired Friday, May 20 from 9-11:30 PM ET/PT.

Joining Williams in the tournament were fellow competitors: Michael Sandberg (22-year-old Princeton student who has won over $120K since Sept. '04), Scott Fischman (Youngest player to win two back-to back WSOP bracelets), Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi (First place winner at the 2005 LA Poker Classic), Erica Schoenberg (World Series of Blackjack semi-finalist) and Erin Ness (Second highest female finisher in 2004's World Series of Poker).

Williams triumphed after heads-up action against Ness that lasted over 90-minutes. The lead changed several times between Williams and Ness before the game was decided in a hand when Williams pulled two pairs (Queens and Nines.)

A Dallas native, Williams' aggressive playing style has enabled him to finish in the money in such major tournaments as the 2004 World Series of Poker Champ (second place); 2004 Borgata Poker Open (second place); 2004 Five-Diamond World Poker Classic (first place) and now POKER ROYALE: YOUNG BLOODS champion.

The young poker millionaire, Williams, said about his win, "It feels great to take down the best of my peer group. I am ecstatic to have won this tournament on GSN. The money will go back to the tables."

Ness, a relative newcomer to poker hit it big when her employer, Maxim Magazine, sent her to participate in the 2004 World Series of Poker Tournament. The 26-year-old Ness finished as the second highest female at that tournament and since then has found poker fame.

On her efforts today, Ness said: "I was really pleased with my play today. I held my own throughout the tournament and have gained new confidence in my play as I get ready for the 2005 World Series of Poker."

As the tournament's first place winner, Williams earned $20,000 for the top prize and fellow competitor Ness received $10,000 for her second place finish. The rest of the players received $5,000 for their efforts.

GSN devotes an entire night to casino gaming with its Friday Casino Night programming franchise. Each Friday night viewers can enjoy at least two hours of programming featuring poker and/or blackjack series. Currently, in the world of poker, the network is airing a competitive Texas Hold'em poker series between actors and pros, POKER ROYALE: CELEBRITIES VS. POKER PROS. The seven episode series at 9 PM ET/PT features such celeb players as Lance Bass (*NSYNC), Morris Chestnut (Boyz N the Hood, Ladder 49,) and Jennifer Tilly (Liar Liar, Bound). The professionals include Kathy Liebert (One World Series of Poker bracelet), Cindy Violette (One World Series of Poker bracelet) and Paul Darden (Winner of the 2003 World Poker Tour Gold Rush Tournament).

POKER ROYALE: YOUNG BLOODS was hosted by John Ahlers (Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) with color commentary by poker pro Robert Williamson III and sideline reporting by Lisa Dergan.

POKER ROYALE: YOUNG BLOODS is executive produced by Jeff Mirkin, John Faratzis and Tom Colamaria for Jeff Mirkin Productions.

GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries, alternative sports programs and casino games. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features over 100 hours per week of interactive programming which allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via GSN.com. Reaching 56 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further media information, visit GSN's press website at corp.gsn.com.

SOURCE GSN
Web Site: http://corp.gsn.com