Crown Australian Celebrity Poker Challenge is an
AustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n celebrity
game showA game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
produced by
FoxtelFoxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating cable, direct broadcast satellite television and IPTV services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation....
, which premiered 5 January 2006 on Australian pay TV channel
FOX8Fox8 is an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms...
. The limited run, 10-part series consisted of 36 Australian celebrities, all playing
No Limit Texas Hold 'emTexas Hold 'em is a variation of the standard card game of poker. The game consists of two cards being dealt face down to each player and then five community cards being placed face-up by the dealer—a series of three then two additional single cards , with...
pokerPoker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
, for the chance to win up to $50,000 in prize money, and $50,000 for their nominated
charityA charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
. The show was hosted by former Australian
Wheel of Fortune hostess
Sophie FalkinerSophie Falkiner is an Australian television presenterSophie has previously presented an entertainment news series Confidential on FOX8...
, and was recorded at Melbourne's
Crown CasinoCrown Casino and Entertainment Complex is a large casino and entertainment precinct located on the south bank of the Yarra River, in Melbourne, Australia. Crown Casino is a unit of Crown Limited....
in front of a live studio audience.
Paul KhouryPaul Khoury is an Australian TV personality and voice talent.Paul Khoury was bass guitarist in a Melbourne band called Gravel, before entering and winning the Cleo Bachelor of the Year award in 2002....
and
Clinton GrybasClinton Andrew Grybas was a leading Australian rules football and sports radio and television commentator. His death at only 32 years of age was thought to be as a result of falling whilst sleepwalking.-Career:...
provided the color commentary, with a running time of two hours per episode.
Grand Final Winners
Season 1 ended on 9 March 2006, with
MTV AustraliaMTV Australia is 24 hour general entertainment channel specialising in music and youth culture programming which serves Australia and New Zealand. It is operated by Viacom International Media Networks Australia owned by Viacom and primarily features imported shows as well as locally produced...
VJ
Jason DundasJason Dundas , is an Australian television presenter and actor who is best known for his role as host of Australia’s most popular travel series Getaway, along with his early career as an MTV Australia VJ...
defeating
The Weather Channel's Sally Bowrey in the first Grand Final to win the tournament and $100,000 total in prize money.