On Tuesday night, The Real Deal, Las Vegas’ newest Strip show, debuted at The Venetian. The extravaganza pits audience members against two of the world’s top poker pros using electronic hand-held devices with a chance at $1 million on the line. Helping to coordinate the show’s successful debut this week was Amber Hergen, Account Executive for The Real Deal. She sat down with Poker News Daily to give us her take on the action.
On the mood at The Venetian on Tuesday night, Hergen commented, “I thought that the atmosphere was electric. It was fun to see so many of the poker pros together at once. It’s very rare to see that many top poker players outside of the World Series of Poker or another major tournament. It was cool to see them gathered at once for an interactive poker show.” Poker players slated to be involved with The Real Deal include Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Gavin Smith, Eli Elezra, Antonio Esfandiari, Jennifer Harman, Phil Laak, Todd Brunson, and “The Prince of Poker” Scotty Nguyen. Two of them will compete nightly.
Hergen also commented that Jennifer Tilly, Bob Newhart, and “Mannix” actor Mike Connors attended opening night. Hergen added, “Celebrities will be drawn to the show and there will be an ongoing cast of celebrity players as well as the host.” According to a press release by The Venetian, “The show reaches a crescendo when the final surviving amateur, the chip-leading pro, and the point leader from the audience take the stage for a three-handed finale.”
The Venetian played host to a sold out house for the premiere of The Real Deal on Tuesday, which was about 750 people. Among those rumored to appear was U.S. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. However, Hergen told Poker News Daily that Phelps was instead playing at the Caesars Classic Poker Tournament, but “we do expect to work with him on The Real Deal in the future.” The first two pros to take center stage were Ultimate Bet icon Phil Hellmuth and PokerStars pro Daniel Negreanu. The latter was also the chip leader after Day 2 of the World Poker Tour’s Festa al Lago, which is going on at the Bellagio.
The casino also plays home to Blue Man Group, Phantom of the Opera, and comedian Wayne Brady. The Broadway show “Jersey Boys” plays next door at the Palazzo. Hergan added, “There is great entertainment available at The Venetian. The Real Deal is another forward-thinking show that people will enjoy.” The show runs Tuesday through Sunday at 5:00pm and primetime performances at 8:00pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Real Deal is dark on Mondays. Tickets begin at $45 and VIP packages are available, which allow for a meet and greet with the poker stars in attendance after the show.
According to the show’s website, next week’s poker pros include Esfandiari and Laak. Although comedian Paul Rodriguez was slated to be the show’s host, Vinnie Favorito is handling these duties currently. Elezra and Harman will be in attendance on the Halloween edition. Many of the pros in question reside in Las Vegas, making the talent pool virtually limitless.
Great Show… nothing more nothing less…