couple questions about high stakes poker (GSN)

[atari2600]

1) is each episode a new session? did they just sit down/is it a new day? or is it just one long session that is broken up into a few episodes?

2) are they playing with their own money or are they staked by someone with a ton of money? if they are staked, do they get to keep a percentage of their winnings or are they paid hourly?

[Jeremy517]

1) Each season is filmed over three days, eight hours per day.

2) All players are paid an hourly rate by the producers, but that nowhere near covers what it costs to play in the game. In season one, they each got $1,250 an hour. Some players are staked, some aren't. The staking agreement would vary from person to person.

[atari2600]

sounds like sammy farha is often staked by other people (outside of the show) - they keep implying hes not playing with his own money, hence hes more willing to gamble it away.

[Thrush]

The source of Sammy's seemingly endless funds have been the source of conjecture since he began gambling. No one seems to know where he gets his money. Only that he has a lot of it. And dropping millions in the Big Game doesnt seem to phase him.

[Bill Geiger]

I believe the Monday 9pm eastern time show is the "new season."

Also, I recall Phil Hellmuth talking about how Mike "The Mouth" is staked by him.

[atari2600]

the new season (#4) has been on for many weeks now.

[JustinCleveland]

Indeed, and it has been remarkably entertaining. Actually seeing Phil Helmuth playing well and being on his game is a nice change.