One Phil is replacing another Phil on the Celebrity Poker Showdown.


Phil Hellmuth will join current cohost comedian Dave Foley at the desk next to the “loser’s lounge” on the popular Bravo TV show. Phil Gordon recently decided to leave the show after appearing on 42 episodes. Filming of Bravo’s show will start this Spring at Harrah’s in New Orleans, which recently reopened. In the past, the show was filmed at the Palms in Las Vegas.


This season, celebrities will be playing only for charities that benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. The show has given away $2.5 million to charities.


In a statement, Gordon said he wants to get into broadcasting professional poker tournaments, where he could “see people play in turn, bet more than $200 into a $5,000 pot, and know when they have the nuts.” He also took a shot at his replacement, Hellmuth.

“Nothing would give me greater pleasure than saying ‘Phil Hellmuth loses another big pot and it looks like he’s ready to implode!’ on nation television,”

Gordon wrote.


But when it comes to real poker achievements, Gordon has got nothing on Hellmuth. Hellmuth has more than $5 million in tournament winnings and nine World Series of Poker bracelets.


Gordon has one World Poker Tour victory and no bracelets. His tournament winnings sits at a little more than $1 million.




by Bob Pajich at Card Player