To check channels for your country visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poker_Channel

UK(GMT)
Ep2 premieres at 2230 on 10th March (repeated at 0030 on 12th)

Then episodes 1 & 2 are repeated:
15th March at 2330 & 0030
24th March at 2230 & 2330
30th March at 2300 & 0000

Europe (CET) episodes 1 & 2 are repeated:
Ep1 at 2200 on 11th & 14th March
Ep2 at 2200 on 18th & 21st March
26th March at 2000 & 2100
29th & 30th March at 0000

To check channels for your country visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poker_Channel

Here are the broadcast times and dates.

UK(GMT)
Ep2 premieres at 2230 on 10th March (repeated at 0030 on 12th)

Then episodes 1 & 2 are repeated:
15th March at 2330 & 0030
24th March at 2230 & 2330
30th March at 2300 & 0000

Europe (CET): episodes 1 & 2 are repeated:
Ep1 at 2200 on 11th & 14th March
Ep2 at 2200 on 18th & 21st March
26th March at 2000 & 2100
29th & 30th March at 0000

Father Andrew Trapp was playing on behalf of his parish, as the bill for a new roof was 1.5 million dollars. Already 100,000 dollars closer to their target with Father Trapp’s first round winnings, the final held the potential to pay most of the new roof costs. In the first round, he relied on a bit of divine help to win the prize. “I pulled out my rosary, kind of joking around, but I was like ‘I need some divine intervention,’” Trapp recalled after finding himself playing in the challenge’s final hand of poker. He had hoped that the same prayer would help him in the big final for the $1 million dollar prize. Unfortunately, for the church it seemed that the big guy upstairs was smiling down on someone else that evening, a retired New York Police detective Mike Kosowsk.

It would be hard to imagine how the prize could be more deserved than for Father Trapp, but we think that it certainly comes close with Mike Kosowsk. Back in September 2001, Detective Kosowsk was on scene when the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center. He rushed into the buildings to help rescue those trapped inside and suffered serious injury. His injuries included three herniated discs in his neck and two herniated discs in back after he found himself under the collapsing South tower.

With no thought to the pain he was in, he was able to escape into the nearby World Financial Center, where he assisted a few others to safety. He says it was undoubtedly the worst day of his life. He was awarded the Medal of Valor for his heroic efforts to save members of the public and the forces.

Unfortunately, the toll of his injuries was felt and a few years later he was forced to take early retirement. Being house bound due to the pain in his back, Mike took to learning poker to distract himself. After seeing an advert for the tournament, he decided to try for a place and it proved to be the best decision he ever made. A nail biting final resulted in him winning the jackpot of $1 million dollars. As well as taking care of his family, Mike plans to set up a fund to help children of the parents who lost their lives in 9/11 to attend college and also to give to CityHarvest, which helps in feeding the homeless.

The website was inundated with people who had been going through tough times. The only stipulation to be seriously considered for the financial help was that you had verifiable debt between $25,000 and $50,000 dollars. After reading and reviewing thousands of emails from families, the mysterious benefactor chose one family that had run up a large hospital bill while getting treatment for their daughter’s cancer. They also selected a second family. He then gave away a total of $55,000 between the families. The modern day Robin Hood then also treated the families to an all expenses paid trip to Vegas.

To add to the uniqueness of this story, the blackjack player has funded all the games he plays himself. He apparently did approach casinos for assistance in funding the plan but was turned away. He has chosen to stay completely anonymous and wants none of the trappings of fame. “I’ve been blessed. I have some guardian angels up there. I’m very spiritual and God knows what I’m doing, what I’m trying to do, and he’s gonna be there sittin’ at the table with me”.

He has also been adamant that he uses no cheating in his games and denies card counting or any other strategies to win. Our modern day Robin simply relies on luck. Even more amazing is that he has promised to pay half of the recipient’s debt regardless of whatever occurred at the blackjack tables!

It has reached the time now where Robin must start finding a new family to help and his website has been receiving a massive 300 applicants a day. Not content with just helping one or two families he has made this campaign a life mission and says he wants to “create a movement where other people are touched by this effort… Stockbrokers, futures traders, doctors, lawyers… Whatever their more fortunate niche in life is. I want them to be touched and say ‘you know what, I want to make a difference too’”.

At a time of economic hardship and restraint with money, it is nice to hear a story of such unselfish giving. It really is a rarity for the Vegas strip that is usually the paragon of greed and excess to inspire the gift of giving, but our modern day Robin Hood does just this.

If you don’t qualify for the special help of ‘Robin Hood 702’, get something back from your online poker game by getting rakeback. Smart players don’t play without it.

If you were there you’ll recall it was an action packed event with many pros in attendance (Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Annette Obrestad to name but a few) and suspense building right through to the final table.

But if you missed it, catch it on The Poker Channel from tonight (UK: SKY Channel 166).

To check channels for your country visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poker_Channel

Here are the broadcast times and dates during this month.

UK(GMT)
Ep1 premieres at 2230 on 3rd March (repeated at 0030 on 5th)
Ep2 premieres at 2230 on 10th March (repeated at 0030 on 12th)

Then episodes are repeated:
15th March at 2330 & 0030
24th March at 2230 & 2330
30th March at 2300 & 0000

Europe (CET)
Ep1 premieres at 2000 on 3rd March
Ep2 premieres at 2000 on 6th March

Then episodes are repeated:
Ep1 at 2200 on 11th & 14th March
Ep2 at 2200 on 18th & 21st March
26th March at 2000 & 2100
29th & 30th March at 0000

 Thank you for your patience.

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The game has a whopping 1 million dollar prize for the winning team, so it is not just fun and games, this is a serious competition.

The series finale ended with the winners crossing the finish line at Wayne Newtons house in Las Vegas. They seemed to be in shock as they were told that they were the first to cross and had won the jackpot. “For real?” Cheyne asked the producer. The team had done well throughout the game and were favoured to win as they were in very good shape and kept their bickering to an absolute minimum. This can be quite the challenge in the game, as the race is a very stressful experience.

If an online race, from the comfort of your chair, is more your style though check out the rake races on offer for online poker players this month and test your competitive ability.

As with most reality show winners, both claimed the cash was secondary to the experience. “The experience is life-changing and the money is not even as important as what we got to do together,” Cheyne explained in his post-win interview segment. “She was one of the strongest competitors, even compared to the guys. I’m so happy she’s mine.” She added, “This has been a learning experience. Every step of the way has been so neat. I learned so much about Cheyne. He’s a good person and friend [who will] be there for me throughout my life.”

The final show was a nail biter as teams seemed to be neck in neck. The team of Erika Dunlap and Brian Kleinschmidt, and brothers Dan and Sam Mcmillen were the competition. The arrival in Vegas saw the teams sing along with Elvis, join the cast of Cirque Du Soliel’s Love and sort through a million dollars worth of chips. It made for very entertaining viewing!