National Heads-Up Poker Championship

Last updated

National Heads-Up Poker Championship
Created by NBC Sports
Presented by Shana Hiatt (2007),
Leeann Tweeden (2008-2011),
Julie Donaldson (2013),
Jeff Platt (2025)
Narrated by Gabe Kaplan (2005-06),
Matt Vasgersian (2005-08, 2013),
Ali Nejad (2007-present),
Craig Hummer (2009-11),
Joe Stapleton (2025)
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes99
Production
Production locations Golden Nugget Las Vegas (2005),
Caesars Palace (2006 - 2013),
PokerGO Studio at Aria Resort and Casino (2025-present)
Running time60 minutes (including commercials)
Original release
Network NBC
Release2005 (2005)
Network PokerGO and Peacock
ReleaseDecember 4, 2025 (2025-12-04) –
present

The National Heads-Up Poker Championship was an annual poker tournament held in the United States and produced by the NBC television network. [1] It is a $25,000 "buy-in" invitation-only tournament [2] organized as a series of one-on-one games of no limit Texas hold 'em matches. The participants include many of the world's most successful poker players, as well as celebrities.

Contents

The championship was the first poker event to be televised on and produced by a major U.S. television network. [1]

In October 2011, NBC announced that the National Heads-Up Poker Championship would not return in 2012, ending the championship's seven-year run. [3] After a one-year hiatus, the tournament returned for a final time in 2013. [4] The $25,000 buy-in event ran from Jan 24 through 26 at Caesars Palace, the same venue where the event was held from 2006 through 2011.

In February 2014, NBC announced the National Heads-Up Poker Championship would not return in 2014.

In July 2025, PokerGO and PokerStars announced that NHUPC will return after 12 years. The tournament features a $25,000 buy-in and will premiere on Peacock later in the year before streaming on the PokerGO platform. [5] [6] Mori Eskandani, President of PokerGO, is a legendary TV poker producer responsible for great shows such as Poker After Dark and High Stakes Poker, as well as the National Heads-Up Poker Championship said:

“The National Heads-Up Poker Championship helped define the golden era of televised poker. We’re proud to partner with PokerStars to bring back a truly iconic brand and share it with a new generation of fans.” [7]

The Heads-Up Championship had been sponsored by online poker companies before Black Friday. The World Series of Poker (WSOP.com) was the 2013 presenting sponsor. [8] PokerStars would be the presenting sponsor for 2025. [9]

Structure

The single-elimination tournament is modeled after college basketball tournaments. Players who win a match advance to the next round; the player who wins six matches is crowned champion.

The first round is seeded randomly the night before the tournament begins. Players are divided into four brackets – Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and Spades. A participant advances by winning a heads-up match against his or her randomly drawn opponent. The structure of the brackets then determines every match thereafter. The semifinals consist of one player from each bracket, with the winner of the Spades bracket playing the winner of the Clubs bracket, and the winner of the Hearts bracket matched up against the winner of the Diamonds bracket. A best-of-three final match then determines which of the two finalists is crowned champion.

Brief history

The National Heads-Up Poker Championship is an invitation-only event. In contrast, the World Heads-Up Poker Championship is an open event with a maximum participation of 128 players.

The 2005 event took place at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas between March 4 and 6. It aired weekly on NBC from May 1 to 22 with commentary from Gabe Kaplan and Matt Vasgersian.

The 2006 edition took place from March 4 to 6 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. NBC began its coverage by broadcasting one part of the opening round on April 16. The semi-final and championship matches aired May 21. Kaplan and Vasgersian returned as commentators.

The 2007 edition was broadcast from April 8 to May 20. Ali Nejad took Gabe Kaplan's spot as commentator due to Kaplan competing in the tournament.

The 2025 edition was filmed in August 2025 at the PokerGO Studio at Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The show premiered on Peacock from December 4 to 18, 2025. Ali Nejad returned to the commentary booth alongside PokerStars' Joe Stapleton, while Jeff Platt was on sideline duties. [10]

Results

YearWinnerRunner-upBest-of-three final score
2005 Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hellmuth Flag of the United States.svg Chris Ferguson 2–1
2006 Flag of the United States.svg Ted Forrest Flag of the United States.svg Chris Ferguson 2–1
2007 Flag of the United States.svg Paul Wasicka Flag of the United States.svg Chad Brown 2–0
2008 Flag of the United States.svg Chris Ferguson Flag of the United States.svg Andy Bloch 2–1
2009 Flag of the United States.svg Huck Seed Flag of the United States.svg Vanessa Rousso 2–0
2010 Flag of the United States.svg Annie Duke Flag of the United States.svg Erik Seidel 2–1
2011 Flag of the United States.svg Erik Seidel Flag of the United States.svg Chris Moneymaker 2–0
2012no tournament
2013 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Matusow Flag of the United States.svg Phil Hellmuth 2–1
2025 Flag of the United States.svg Sam Soverel Flag of the United States.svg Keith Lehr2–1

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Benston, Liz (February 14, 2005). "NBC spot in the cards for poker tourney". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ Nagel, Josh (May 30, 2008). "NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship Inks Four-year Deal with Caesars". PokerNews. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  3. ↑ Collson, Brett (October 13, 2011). "NBC Cancels National Heads-Up Poker Championship". PokerNews. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  4. ↑ Collson, Brett; Maldonado, Pamela (December 7, 2012). "The Nightly Turbo: Tom Dwan Versus Viktor Blom, NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship Returns". PokerNews. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  5. ↑ "PokerGO® and PokerStars® Announce Return of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship". PokerGO. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  6. ↑ "PokerStars and PokerGO are Bringing Back the National Heads-Up Poker Championship". www.pokernews.com. July 29, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  7. ↑ Patrickson, Mark (July 29, 2025). "All-Star Cast Lined Up for Return of National Heads-Up Championship". vip-grinders. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
  8. ↑ Stutz, Howard (February 16, 2010). "Heads-Up Poker Championship returns to Caesars Palace". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  9. ↑ "PokerGO Releases More Details About Heads-Up Championship". Card Player. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  10. ↑ "PokerGO® and PokerStars® Announce Air Dates for the Return of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship". PokerGO. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
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