BRAVO Pressure is part of poker deal

In 'Celebrity Poker Showdown,' stars hope to aid charities -- and save face.
WASHINGTON POST
Jennie Garth, star of The WB's "What I Like About You" and the '90s classic "Beverly Hills 90210," knows the pressure of performing.
Yet the burden of playing a part is nothing compared to what she experiences on "Celebrity Poker Showdown."
"It's the most stress I've been under in I don't know how long," she said.
Despite that pressure, Garth said she enjoyed participating in the second season of the star-studded game show, which airs at 9 tonight on Bravo. The show, taped at the Palms casino in Las Vegas, features celebrities who play in groups of five. Each two-hour episode features one game of Texas Hold 'Em poker.
The celebrities also have more at stake than their reputations -- they're playing for the charities of their choice. Everyone gets at least $5,000. Championship winners -- and this year there are two championship tournaments instead of one -- receive $100,000.
Poker expert Phil Gordon, who has won two World Poker Tour events, said the pressure is immense, so much so that it brought at least one contestant to tears.
"There was one celebrity who cried for about five minutes" after losing a place at the table, he said. He wouldn't name names.
The voice of guidance
During the show, Gordon offers commentaries -- which the celebrities cannot hear -- and explains the rules of the game to help viewers follow along. Those tuning in can see the players' cards because of miniature cameras built into the poker table.
Celebrities are taught to hold their cards so the TV audience -- but not opponents -- can see their hands.
That's not all the coaching the players receive. They also get a booklet filled with tips from Gordon.
"The production company sends them books and software they can play with" to prepare, said Gordon, who also offers tutoring sessions for the stars. "They wanted to play well."
Those who don't play well enough to stay in the game are sent to the Losers Lounge, where host Dave Foley -- formerly of NBC's "News Radio" -- joins the stars to watch the rest of the game on a TV monitor.
"The Loser's Lounge is not fun," Garth said. "They try to make it look all pretty with snacks and drinks, but you just want to go home."
Actor Peter Facinelli, Garth's husband, is back for season two.
Skill levels
There are two levels of playing, Facinelli said, that indicate a player's experience.
"The first time I played, I was at the first level. I was concerned with my cards. The second level is concerned with other people's cards and the other people at the table," he said.
"From the first tournament to the second, I got that it didn't matter what my cards are. It matters what the others' cards are. Look at the players and see how they react to the cards that are on the table."
That's where acting skills can come into play as the celebs try to maintain a "poker face."