Poker After Dark previous two seasons were a smashing success and now NBC will keep bringing poker fans the best match-ups with the new launching of its 3rd season beginning on December 31^st. The show will feature once again the top players, each putting up $20,000 per match and fighting for a $120,000 prize. The most interesting element of the show is the interaction between the players, which allows viewers to have a better idea of each player personality as well as it shows the real deal of playing poker with the pros. This banter is often confrontational, but for the most part is lighthearted and filled with exchanges and anecdotes you won't find on any other program.

The producers are introducing an interesting group of players, this year 15 new players will be joining the crew, including John-Robert Bellande, Hoyt Corkins, Roland de Wolfe, Chau Giang, Mark Gregorich, Sam Grizzle, Berry Johnston, J.J. Liu, Scotty Nguyen, David Oppenheim, Erica Schoenberg, Beth Shak, Gavin Smith, and Robert Williamson III. Another notable newcomer is amateur Ken Light, who will play in the opening match of the season. Ken won his seat via a freeroll at the online poker site FullTilt Poker and was able to choose his personal dream line-up.

The new Poker After Dark season will also feature a new host named Marianela, an Argentinean beauty that is as comfortable in front of a camera as any runway model. The players loved working with her, and viewers will especially enjoy how well she interacts with the players.

Here are the schedule of the upcoming Poker After Dark season:

Match 21: Dream Table - Week of December 3^rd 

Seat 1: Daniel Negreanu
Seat 2: Phil Hellmuth
Seat 3: Jennifer Harman
Seat 4: Mike Matusow
Seat 5: Scotty Nguyen
Seat 6: Ken Light

Match 22: 19th Hole - Week of January 7^th

Seat 1: Gavin Smith
Seat 2: David Oppenheim
Seat 3: Erick Lindgren
Seat 4: Phil Ivey
Seat 5: Doyle Brunson
Seat 6: Daniel Negreanu

Match 23:  Hecklers - Week of January 14^th

Seat 1: Gavin Smith
Seat 2: Sam Grizzle
Seat 3: John-Robert Bellande
Seat 4: Mike Matusow
Seat 5: Shawn Sheikhan
Seat 6: Phil Hellmuth

Match 24: World Champions - Week of February 11^th

Seat 1: Chris Ferguson (2000)
Seat 2: Johnny Chan (1987, 1988)
Seat 3: BerryJohnston (1986)
Seat 4: Jamie Gold (2006)
Seat 5: Phil Hellmuth (1989)
Seat 6: Huck Seed (1996)

Match 25: Cowboys - Week of February 18^th

Seat 1: Doyle Brunson
Seat 2: Chris Ferguson
Seat 3: Chau Giang
Seat 4: Andy Bloch
Seat 5: Hoyt Corkins
Seat 6: Gabe Kaplan

Match 26: International - Week of February 25^th

Seat 1: Patrik Antonius (Finland)
Seat 2: Johnny Chan (China)
Seat 3: Roland de Wolfe (England)
Seat 4: Daniel Negreanu (Canada)
Seat 5: Gus Hansen (Denmark)
Seat 6: John Juanda (Indonesia)

Match 27: Jam Up - Week of March 24^th 

Seat 1: David Williams
Seat 2: Howard Lederer
Seat 3: Mike Matusow
Seat 4: Barry Greenstein
Seat 5: Antonio Esfandiari
Seat 6: Eli Elezra

Match 28: Gus and the Ladies - Week of March 31^st

Seat 1: Gus Hansen
Seat 2: Vanessa Rousso
Seat 3: J.J. Liu
Seat 4: Clonie Gowen
Seat 5: Beth Shak
Seat 6: Erica Schoenberg

Match 29: Love at First Raise - Week of May 12^th 

Seat 1: Jennifer Harman
Seat 2: David Benyamine
Seat 3: Jennifer Tilly
Seat 4: Marco Traniello
Seat 5: Erica Schoenberg
Seat 6: Phil Laak

Match 30: Commentators- Week of May 19^th 

Seat 1: Mark Gregorich
Seat 2: Chad Brown
Seat 3: Ali Nejad
Seat 4: Robert Williamson III
Seat 5: Phil Gordon
Seat 6: Howard Lederer