High Stakes Poker IV will open with Phil Hellmuth

Cable television station the Game Show Network (GSN) recently announced Phil Hellmuth, Ultimate Bet online poker Spokesperson and 11 time WSOP bracelet winner, will appear, after a two-year break to participate in the first episode of the popular High Stakes Poker IV series.

The high-stakes cash poker program starts next week and is in position to feature poker experts Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Laak, Todd Brunson and Mike ‘The Mouth' Matusow. Giving credit where credit is due several of the new impact players such as Brian Brandon, Antonio Salorio and Haralabos Voulgaris.

This season will display 17 episodes of eight-players with a $100,000 buy-in poker games, the entry is being increased for the November 5 episode to $500,000. The buy-in is paid by the players themselves with over five million dollars on the table throughout the season. The pay out, or winning, is paid by the $800,000 pot each episode, What a competition for the veterans and the rookies.

Additional players scheduled to take part in episodes during this season include Patrik Antonius, David Benyamine, Doyle Brunson, Eli Elezra, Sam Farha, Jamie Gold, Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Harman and Daniel Negreanu. Some of the other rookies planning to play in season 4 include newcomers Brandon Adams, Mike Baxtar, Phil Galfond, Guy Laliberte and Bob Safai, each one is expected to compete and give the veterans a real run for the money.

This season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive thus far. As the stakes grow, and the players compete across the felt, the drama will build until the tournament winner is crowned. Season 4 will be a season to watch for any one who is following professional poker, at it's highest ranks.