James Woods Takes on the Pros in GSN's New POKER ROYALE Series 'THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS'

New Series Features Woods and Poker Pro Phil 'The Unabomber' Laak Premiering on GSN Friday, October 7 at 10PM ET/PT With Back-To-Back Hour Episodes

Other Players Include Jennifer Tilly, Ted Forrest, Danny Masterson and Cyndy Violette

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 21 -- It's an old-fashioned "choose up sides" poker showdown between Hollywood superstar James Woods' team and poker pro Phil Laak's team in THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS IN POKER ROYALE. Premiering on Friday, October 7 at 10:00PM ET/PT, poker enthusiasts will now be able to enjoy two hours of the best poker players in action every Friday night on GSN.

In THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS IN POKER ROYALE, veteran actor James Woods ("Pretty Persuasion," "Rudy," "Casino") and Phil "The Unabomber" Laak (placed 1st in the 2004 World Poker Tour Main Event and host of E!'s Hollywood Hold 'Em) choose their own teams to battle it out over seven episodes.

Filmed at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California, the series features a prize-pot topping $75,000 and bragging rights as to who captained the best team.

On Woods' team are Kathy Liebert (ranked in the top 20 players of all time, winner of POKER ROYALE: BATTLE OF THE SEXES), Bob Goen (Entertainment Tonight), Ted Forrest (five World Series of Poker bracelets), Susie Isaacs (two World Series of Poker bracelets) and Nicole Sullivan (Mad TV, The King of Queens).

Playing for the Unabombers are Jennifer Tilly (2005 WSOP Women's Final Table bracelet winner), Cyndy Violette (1st Place 2004 World Series of Poker Seven Card Stud), Danny Masterson (That 70's Show), Hassan Habib (2nd Place 2004 World Poker Tour Championship) and Gail O'Grady (NYPD Blue, American Dreams).

In recent years Woods has taken the world of poker by storm, and is a force to be reckoned with not only on the big screen. He plays regularly in Hollywood home games and has respect among his poker peers.

Laak is known on the poker circuit as "The Unabomber" for playing in hooded sweatshirts and sunglasses. He is one of the most animated players at the table, jumping around and kneeling beside the dealer while waiting for the river. He coined the term "I felted him" -- leaving the last person at the table with just the felt in front of them and recently finished second in the 2005 World Series of Poker Pot Limit Hold'Em event.

Returning as host is John Ahlers with sideline reporter Lisa Dergan. Providing expert analysis is professional poker player Robert Williamson III.

The team captains decide which players participate in each match at the coveted final table. All players play a minimum of three games, earning points based on where they finish, hoping to bluff, call and check their fearless challengers. First place in each match earns ten points, second place receives eight points, third place is six points, fourth place is four points, fifth place receives two points. The team with the highest points from the qualifying matches has a chip count advantage going into the finale.

THE JAMES WOODS GANG VS. THE UNABOMBERS IN POKER ROYALE is part of GSN's poker franchise POKER ROYALE. The series airs every Friday at 10:00PM as part of GSN's Casino Night and has included COMEDIANS VS. PROS, YOUNG BLOODS SPECIAL (LIVE), CELEBRITIES VS. PROS, BATTLE OF THE SEXES and THE WPPA CHAMPIONSHIP.

POKER ROYALE is produced by Jeff Mirkin Productions in association with ArmFitz Productions. Maureen FitzPatrick, Jeff Mirkin and John Faratzis serve as executive producers.

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