Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Matthew Stevens and Phil Taylor to go head to head in $1 million poker showdown.
Three of the biggest names in darts, snooker and tennis are set to battle it out for a $1million jackpot in the nail-biting final of the 888.com Pacific Poker Open, to be aired on Challenge TV on Sunday 12th December at 10pm.
After successfully beating off competition from other celebrity participants, including Darren Campbell, Jimmy White, Steve Davis and Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in the three-week competition, the three top sports celebrities have now managed to secure a place in the final of the first ever $1 million televised poker tournament.
Poker has attracted a massive celebrity following in recent years. Yevgeny Kafelnikov recently announced his retirement from tennis to become a professional poker player. The 888.com Pacific Poker Open is the first poker tournament he has played in since announcing his retirement. Now, more and more sports stars are converting to poker as their 'sport' of choice.
Commenting on their success of getting to the final, Phil Taylor stated, "I'm very, very excited, like a kid waiting for Christmas day. I never dreamt in a million years I would get this far."
"I'm starting to feel the pressure", Matthew Stevens continues, "With snooker, I am in control, but with poker I'm a bit of a novice, if you're up against the pros, they know what they are doing more than we do".
However, tennis pro Yevgeny Kafelnikov remains unfazed, "I think that being an ex-sportsman is definitely an advantage. We have all dealt with difficult situations professionally, whether its tennis, snooker or darts, it gives us that confidence that probably other people don't have."
The pressure will really be on for the celebrities to prove they can compete against the UK's top poker pros as well as those who have qualified online at www.888.com. Viewers will be able to experience all the excitement and tension of the final first hand with unique features, such as heart monitors that track the ups and downs of the game.
The final of the 888.com Pacific Poker Open will be televised on Sunday 12th December at 10pm on Challenge TV.