The series will feature contestants selected from an online search who will compete with superstar professional players in Las Vegas for cash prizes of up $1 million, the network said. Former 'Sopranos' cast member, Steve Schirripa will host the show, which begins August 1st.

"'Face the Ace' will feature four smoked-glass doors -- behind each is a legendary professional poker player. In each episode, one or more lucky contestants get to pick an 'Ace' and their opponent will emerge from behind one of the doors," NBC said in a news release. "They will play heads-up no limit Hold'Em, an exciting game that requires confidence, aggression and bluffing. The contestant will play up to three different Aces in a series of heads-up matches."

basically, if the amateur can defeat a pro, he/she has the option to take the money and run (ala the Steve Miller band), or risk their winnings by facing another pro.

That doesn't sound half bad. I'd watch it.

It has potential: I just see it as "here's 10,000 chips, the blinds are 500/1000"

I would much rather see a "reality" style TV show on poker.

We see so much of the big name pros and WSOP stuff. I would love to see a show focusing on a group of players who are all building a bankroll and playing a range of different games and levels.

The life of a prodigy poker player. Something like that.

That's the kind of poker that is the most interesting. Poker that pays the monthly mortgage.

I like the idea of: X number of people given $10,000 each and some coaching, playing rotating cash games (NL500 or NL1000) against themselves and some established players. They all get to keep what every they and the top x players get something as a bonus.

It all depends what they mean by "contestants selected from an online search". Will it be the top performing leaderboard winners, for example, or would it just be random or producer-picked people? If the latter, I don't see how this is much different from a game show or Deal or No Deal where the contestants basically get a chance of winning free money for doing nothing. I bet a lot of people would go all-in every hand if it wasn't written into the contract that you couldn't do that.

full tilt is now running tourneys for entry: you use your FTP points to buy-in

from the looks of it you'll have to win a 1000+ person tourney. Finish in the top 10 of another even larger field tourney, and then win another huge field tourney. Might as well play powerball

Sounds interesting, I'll be looking forward to seeing this.

Sounds pretty bad tbh