World Series of Blackjack

The World Series of Blackjack is a televised blackjack tournament created and produced by the cable network GSN. It is a closed tournament; players are either invited to play or can attempt to win a spot via a satellite tournament. Rounds are edited into 1-hour episodes and broadcast on GSN. Matt Vasgersian and Max Rubin provided commentary for the first two seasons. Tiki Arsenault was the dealer for Season 1 as Deanna Bacon was the dealer for Seasons 2 and 3 while Jessica Knight was the dealer for Season 4.
Season 1 premiered on weekly from March 15, 2004 to April 26, 2004 with a co-host, Melana Scantlin.
Season 2 premiered on weekly from January 21, 2005 to April 22, 2005 with a new co-host, Megan Riordan.
Season 3 premiered on weekly from June 5, 2006 to September 4, 2006 as part of GSN's "Casino Night" (retooled, with "High Stakes Poker", as "Vegas Night") programming block, with new hosts John Fugelsang and Ben Mezrich.
Season 4 premiered on GSN from June 4, 2007 to August 27, 2007. A field of 40 players, including Celebrity Blackjack champion Caroline Rhea, baseball star Orel Hershiser and magician Penn Jillette competed for a $1 million prize pool. Vasgersian returned as commentator.
Rules.
The rules (as of season 4) are as follows:
Season 1 results.
The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Connecticut. First place will win $10,000 and move on to the Final table while Second place will win $5,000 and move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Final table. First place at the Final table will win $100,000 USD grand prize.
Mike Aponte, a former member of the MIT Blackjack Team, won the Season 1 championship and $100,000.
Season 2 results.
The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. First place will move on to the Semi-Final table while Second place will move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Semi-Final table. The top two finishers in the Semi-Final table will move on to the Final table for chance at winning $250,000 USD grand prize. First place at the Final table will win $250,000 USD grand prize.
Ken Einiger claimed the Season 2 championship, winning $250,000.
Season 3 results.
The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Hilton Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. First place will move on to the Semi-Final table while Second place will move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Semi-Final table. The top two finishers in the Semi-Final table will move on to the Final table for chance at winning $500,000 USD grand prize. First place at the Final table will win $500,000 USD grand prize.
Dr. Jeff Bernstein claimed the Season 3 championship, winning the $500,000 grand prize.
1Qualified for Wild Card Round through random drawing among all 3rd-5th place preliminary finishers.
2Qualified for Final Table through random drawing among all 3rd-5th place semi-final finishers.
Season 4 results.
The World Series of Blackjack Tournament was held at Hilton Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. First place will move on to the Semi-Final table while Second place will move on to the Wild Card table. The winner of the Wild Card table will move on to the Semi-Final table. The top two finishers in the Semi-Final table will move on to the Final table for chance at winning $500,000 USD grand prize. First place at the Final table will win $500,000 USD grand prize.
Alice Walker (who had previously won GSN's million-dollar Three card poker championship) took first place and $500,000.
1Qualified for Wild Card Round through random drawing among all 3rd-5th place preliminary finishers.
2Qualified for final table through random drawing among all 3rd-5th places semi-final finishers