SURVIVOR CHINA FEATURES POKER PRO JEAN-ROBERT BELLANDE

The first time I remember shooting photos of Jean-Robert Bellande was the final table of a World Series of Poker Circuit Event at the Rio Resort in Las Vegas in 2005. He finished third in the event to Jennifer Harman and winner, Doug Lee. The players making that final table included super pro Phil Ivey and Gabe Thaler. Although Bellande didn’t win the ESPN TV filmed event he did established himself as something more than a pro poker player. When the cameras came out he became an entertainer. Big, brash Jean-Robert Bellande dominated the table and played to the crowd with his in-your-face, aggressive style and cutting wit.

He will be appearing on the popular CBS Television show Survivor China, now into it’s 15th season. It all begins on Thursday, September 20th at 8:00 pm ET/PT on your local CBS affiliate.

Can Jean-Robert be the next Ultimate Survivor and walk away with the $1 million prize? Will the skills he has developed at the high limit tournament poker tables offer him an advantage in this reality game where those that can lie and look you in the eye are rewarded? Will we know when he’s bluffing? Check it out…cheer for the poker player. I’ve shot a lot of photos of Bellande at a lot of poker tournaments so will post some of them on the Prof’s Poker