Poker After Dark brings on newcomers

Matusow, Gold, Esfandiari, and Sexton have all appeared previously on PAD, but none can lay claim to a victory. Matusow thus far is 0-4, Esfandiari and Gold 0-2, and Sexton 0-1, so one can be certain that they will all be looking to get into the winner's column, especially Matusow, who with another loss would tie Phil Hellmuth for the worst record on PAD thus far at 0-5.

Standing in their way will be one of the hottest players on the tournament circuit since the 2006 World Series in Paul Wasicka. Since winning $6 million for finishing 2nd to Jamie Gold in the 2006 Championship Event, Paul has gone on to finish 4th in the 2007 L.A. Poker Classic and win NBC's 2007 National Heads-Up Poker Championship just a few days later. This will mark the first time Gold and Wasicka have faced one another since Gold's victory in a tournament setting, although the two did clash during High Stakes Poker's third season.

Rounding out the table is Alan Dvorkis, who is more commonly known as Alan Boston. A prolific talker at the tables, the veteran Boston could provide stiff competition for Matusow in the trash-talking department. Alan is indeed an interesting character and viewers will not want to miss seeing him in action, as his presence at the table is anything but conventional.

Brief profiles of all six players follow. The match will begin airing on NBC late night Monday at 2:05 AM, November 5, and will continue for five consecutive nights in the same time slot. A special program called the "Director's Cut" will air late night Saturday, November 10, at 1:00 AM, right after Saturday Night Live. This show will feature a behind-the-scenes look at the week with highlights and insightful player interviews.