NBC NATIONAL HEADS-UP POKER CHAMPIONSHIP FLIPCHIP PHOTOS

Friday marks the first round of play in the 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Championship at Caesars Palace Poker Room. Friday will see the field cut in half with 32 of the invited 64 players eliminated. The match-up drawing took place last evening at Pure Nightclub located next to Caesars’ poker room. The upscale event had a traditional red carpet entry crowded with camera carrying kamikazes blazing away.

The first round has some interesting pairings as expected of the poker star heavy invite list; but, Jennifer Tilly taking on Jamie Gold? Both have a WSOP bracelet. How about Mike Matusow and Daniel Negreanu, this match could be some great TV stuff. Both are great players. Jennifer Harman and Andy Bloch, only one will come back for Saturday’s play.

With 9 females in the field of 64 a good prop bet would be the draw pairing two females in round one. It happened, Kristy Gazes goes heads-up with Clonie Gowan. How about the odds of two WSOP Main Event champions pairing? Must be good with 2003 WSOP champion Chris Moneymaker meets 2005 WSOP champion Joseph Hachem. Shannon Elizabeth takes on Rene Angelil, husband of singer Celine Dion.