The PokerStars.net Big Game: Season 1
The PokerStars.net Big Game is a reality television series that premiered in 2010. Classified as TV‑14, the program presents an ultimate high‑stakes cash‑game format in which amateur, self‑described “Loose Cannon” players are seated opposite established legends of poker. Each episode pits the non‑professional participants against the seasoned professionals, with the goal of winning cash prizes. The series is produced
Season overview
The PokerStars.net Big Game is a reality television series that premiered in 2010. Classified as TV‑14, the program presents an ultimate high‑stakes cash‑game format in which amateur, self‑described “Loose Cannon” players are seated opposite established legends of poker. Each episode pits the non‑professional participants against the seasoned professionals, with the goal of winning cash prizes. The series is produced in partnership with the online poker platform PokerStars, which finances the stakes by purchasing each buy‑in for the competition. The premise is described as a loose‑cannon competition in which amateurs take on the stars, emphasizing the contrast between inexperienced challengers and veteran competitors. The show’s structure follows a tournament‑style progression, allowing the amateurs to compete directly with the poker elite in a televised setting. As a reality‑based cash‑game program, it blends elements of competitive gambling with the drama of high‑risk wagering, and it is catalogued on The Movie Database under the title “The PokerStars.net Big Game.” The first season follows this consistent format, presenting a fresh amateur challenger in each installment while retaining the same pool of poker legends as opponents. The program’s emphasis on high‑stakes action and the involvement of PokerStars as the financial backer underscores its positioning as a televised cash‑game experience.
Episodes
Week 1, Episode 1: Ernest Wiggins
Jun 15, 2010 · 45 min
Poker legends Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Phil Laak, Phil Hellmuth and Tony G play with a Loose Cannon who claims that the only way to be the best, is to beat the best. Will he
Week 1, Episode 2: Ernest Wiggins
Jun 16, 2010 · 45 min
Daniel Negreanu gets challenged by Loose Cannon Ernest Wiggins, will he be able to take him on? With other legends like Doyle Brunson also at the Big Game table, things could get v
Week 1, Episode 3: Ernest Wiggins
Jun 17, 2010 · 45 min
Phil Hellmuth goes up against a Loose Cannon who is trying to push his luck. Daniel Negreanu, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson and Tony G are dying to see who ends up on top: pro or amateu
Week 1, Episode 4: Ernest Wiggins
Jun 18, 2010 · 45 min
The rivalry between Phil Hellmuth and Tony G causes frustration and tension at a table full of poker superstars, but who will end up "begging for mercy"? Or will they both end up l
Week 1, Episode 5: Ernest Wiggins
Jun 19, 2010 · 45 min
The drama is heating up at a table with poker superstars like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Laak and Tony G! The Loose Cannon has to choose whether to take the money or continue to play an
Week 2, Episode 1: William Davis
Jun 22, 2010 · 45 min
This week's poker pros Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Abe Mosseri, David Williams and Jason Calacanis take on a Loose Cannon who is an aspiring poker pro.. Things could get very i
Week 2, Episode 2: William Davis
Jun 23, 2010 · 45 min
Hall of Fame legend Doyle Brunson takes on the less experienced poker pro Calacanis.. Who will come out on top? And how will Brunson hold up against the other pros such as Daniel N
Week 2, Episode 3: William Davis
Jun 24, 2010 · 45 min
Loose Cannon Will Davis is hanging in there with the pros at the Big Game table like Daniel Negreanu and Doyle Brunson! He is not backing down and that creates an interesting game.
Week 2, Episode 4: William Davis
Jun 25, 2010 · 45 min
The pressure is on: the Loose Cannon needs to make a serious comeback in order to earn money. With names like Daniel Negreanu and Doyle Brunson at the table, this will not be easy.
Week 2, Episode 5: William Davis
Jun 26, 2010 · 45 min
The pressure is on: the Loose Cannon needs to make a serious comeback in order to earn money and with names like Daniel Negreanu and Doyle Brunson at the table, this will not be ea
Week 3, Episode 1: Nadya Magnus
Jun 29, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon is Nadya Magnus who wants to earn some money to create a better future for her kid. Will she be able to take on pros Jason Mercier, Joe Cada, Daniel Alaei and Just
Week 3, Episode 2: Nadya Magnus
Jun 30, 2010 · 45 min
Loose Cannon Nadya "KGB" Magnus is trying to fulfill her dream of becoming a poker pro. She is not afraid to take on Jason Mercier and Justin Bonomo; will she be able to outplay th
Week 3, Episode 3: Nadya Magnus
Jul 1, 2010 · 45 min
Loose Cannon Nadya Magnus is impressing the poker pros such as Jason Mercier and is gunning to become the top Loose Cannon! She has got the skills, but will luck also be on her sid
Week 3, Episode 4: Nadya Magnus
Jul 2, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon Nadya Magnus has played strong so far, but will she be able to keep it up? Meanwhile, Jason Mercier and Justin Bonomo are also not backing down and the stakes are
Week 3, Episode 5: Nadya Magnus
Jul 3, 2010 · 45 min
In this last episode Loose Cannon Nadya Magnus has a lot to lose: she has a huge stack to protect. Will she walk away with money to create a nice future for her son or will she los
Week 4, Episode 1: Troy Howard
Jul 6, 2010 · 45 min
The new Loose Cannon is confident that he can take on a table of pros like David "Viffer" Peat, Barry Greenstein, Antonia Esfandiari, Chau Giang and Rick Rahim. But is this really
Week 4, Episode 2: Troy Howard
Jul 7, 2010 · 45 min
Poker pros David "Viffer" Peat, Barry Greenstein, Antonia Esfandiari, Chau Giang and Rick Rahim play with an amateur 'Loose Cannon'; who will end up on top?
Week 4, Episode 3: Troy Howard
Jul 8, 2010 · 45 min
Poker pros David "Viffer" Peat and Antonia Esfandiari go head to head in a huge cooler. Meanwhile, our Loose Cannon is trying to up his game at the table; will he succeed?
Week 4, Episode 4: Troy Howard
Jul 9, 2010 · 45 min
A very eventful episode with poker pros Barry Greenstein, Antonio Esfandiari, Chau Giang, Viffer and Rick Rahim. With the Loose Cannon also at the table, anything can happen...
Week 4, Episode 5: Troy Howard
Jul 10, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon wants to play more aggressively in this final episode of the week and thereby takes on poker pro David "Viffer" Peat... Will he end up taking home some money?
Week 5, Episode 1: Aaron Jensen
Aug 10, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon starts off aggressive against poker superstars Daniel Negreanu, Tony G, Vanessa Rousso, Scott Seiver and Todd Brunson. A very interesting table.
Week 5, Episode 2: Aaron Jensen
Aug 11, 2010 · 45 min
Tony G is having a very hard time at a table with Daniel Negreanu, Vanessa Rousso, Lex Veldhuis, Scott Seiver and Todd Brunson. Will he be outplayed or be able to earn back some mo
Week 5, Episode 3: Aaron Jensen
Aug 12, 2010 · 45 min
Last episode Lex Veldhuis took the spot of Tony G and Veldhuis is definitely not backing down! The Loose Cannon wants to earn money for his wedding, will he be able to take on Veld
Week 5, Episode 4: Aaron Jensen
Aug 13, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon, as well as poker pros Negreanu and Veldhuis need to make a comeback this episode, but Vanessa Rousso, Todd Brunson and Scott Seiver are not giving in that easily.
Week 5, Episode 5: Aaron Jensen
Aug 14, 2010 · 45 min
Pro Scott Seiver is riding the money train and our Loose Cannon had to leave early in the last episode. A table full of pros like Negreanu, Veldhuis, Laak, Brunson and Rousso remai
Week 6, Episode 1: Andre Capella
Aug 17, 2010 · 45 min
Poker pros Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Eugene Katchalov, Prahlad Friendman and Dani Stern play with a Loose Cannon who used to be a racecar driver. Can he step on the gass?
Week 6, Episode 2: Andre Capella
Aug 18, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon takes on the old guard: Negreanu and Hellmuth. Interesting to see where ths goes, specifically with the young guard (Katchalov, Friedman and Stern) also at the tab
Week 6, Episode 3: Andre Capella
Aug 19, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon needs to make a comeback, quick! The young guns at the table (Stern, Katchalov and Friedman) are becoming more aggressive towards old school players Negreanu and H
Week 6, Episode 4: Andre Capella
Aug 20, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon finds himself in dangerous waters at a table with sharks like Phil Hellmuth and Dani Stern. These sharks are however more concerned with attacking eachother; will
Week 6, Episode 5: Andre Capella
Aug 21, 2010 · 45 min
The feud between Phil Hellmuth and Dani Stern continues and this episode the stakes are higher than ever. Just like Negreanu, Mercier, Friedman and Katchalov, we can't take our eye
Week 7, Episode 1: Russell Harlow
Aug 24, 2010 · 45 min
A new Loose Cannon sits at the table with Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Hellmuth, Tony G, Jason Mercier and Ike Haxton! This Loose Cannon is ready to be best Loose Cannon so far.
Week 7, Episode 2: Russell Harlow
Aug 25, 2010 · 45 min
This week's table features Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Hellmuth, Tony G, Jason Mercier, Ike Haxton and a Loose Cannon! We all know that with Tony G at the table, things are never bori
Week 7, Episode 3: Russell Harlow
Aug 26, 2010 · 45 min
Phil Hellmuth is having a hard time this episode, and this time not only because of Tony G, but also the amateur Loose Cannon.. Will there be a blow up in classic Hellmuth style?
Week 7, Episode 4: Russell Harlow
Aug 27, 2010 · 45 min
Phil Hellmuth needs to make a comeback after a very hard last episode: will he be able to proof his worth? Tony G, Esfandiari, Mercier, Haxton and the Loose Cannon are eager to fin
Week 7, Episode 5: Russell Harlow
Aug 28, 2010 · 45 min
There is always frustration between Phil Hellmuth and Tony G, but it now seems to be coming to a boiling point. Meanwhile, the Loose Cannon is desperate to start making money befor
Week 8, Episode 1: Russell Harlow
Aug 31, 2010 · 45 min
Last week's Loose Cannon chose to return to the table. With Daniel Negreanu, Lex Veldhuis, Doyle Brunson, Barry Greenstein and Justin Bonomo at the table, the odds are not in his f
Week 8, Episode 2: Russell Harlow
Sep 1, 2010 · 45 min
Loose Cannon is not afraid to gamble, even with poker pros Daniel Negreanu, Lex Veldhuis, Doyle Brunson, Barry Greenstein and Justin Bonomo at the table. Such names make for a grea
Week 8, Episode 3: Russell Harlow
Sep 2, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon is well on his way to become the best Loose Cannon so far. With big money and big names like Doyle Brunson, Lex Veldhuis and Daniel Negreanu at the table, anything
Week 8, Episode 4: Russell Harlow
Sep 3, 2010 · 45 min
The stakes have been very high this week and this episode is not very different. With legends Daniel Negreanu, Lex Veldhuis, Doyle Brunson and Justin Bonomo things are always fun t
Week 8, Episode 5: Russell Harlow
Sep 4, 2010 · 45 min
In this last episode of the week the stakes are higher than ever: the Loose Cannon needs to make a comeback in order to win any money.. Will he be able to turn things around?
Week 9, Episode 1: Elizabeth Houston
Oct 5, 2010 · 45 min
This week's Loose Cannon has a noble goal and takes on Daniel Negreanu, Tony G, David "Viffer" Peat, Joe Hachem and William Reynolds.. Negreanu seems to really enjoy playing with t
Week 9, Episode 2: Elizabeth Houston
Oct 6, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon Elizabeth Houston seems to have made an impression on pros Tony G, Daniel Negreanu, David "Viffer" Peat, Joe Hachem and William Reynolds; but does this work in her
Week 9, Episode 3: Elizabeth Houston
Oct 7, 2010 · 45 min
Poker pro Daniel Negreanu took some hits last episode and needs to make a comeback. Meanwhile Tony G is at the top of the table and not afraid to take on Negreanu and Reynolds...
Week 9, Episode 4: Elizabeth Houston
Oct 8, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon needs to seriously turn things around to end up with profit at the end of the week: will she be able to keep her head above water filled with sharks like Tony G an
Week 9, Episode 5: Elizabeth Houston
Oct 9, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon got busted in the last episode and was replaced with poker pro Lex Veldhuis. He immediatly finds himself in showdown with two greats: Tony G and William Reynolds..
Week 10, Episode 1: David Fishman
Oct 12, 2010 · 45 min
A new Loose Cannon sits at the table with poker pros Phil Hellmuth, Joe Cada, Phil Laak, David Williams and Bill Perkins. This Loose Cannon is not afraid to challenge one of these
Week 10, Episode 2: David Fishman
Oct 13, 2010 · 45 min
The tension between Bill Perkins (aka "Businessman") and Phil Hellmuth is increasing and Perkins continues to needle Hellmuth. Hellmuth is known for his blow ups, will he be able t
Week 10, Episode 3: David Fishman
Oct 14, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon needs to get his game back on track after being the top Loose Cannon and then losing it all last episode.. Will he be smart enough to take on Williams and Hellmuth
Week 10, Episode 4: David Fishman
Oct 15, 2010 · 45 min
Will the Loose Cannon sink or swim? Either way, this Loose Cannon is not backing down from poker pros Phil Hellmuth, Bill Perkins and David Williams.. Will he be able to make Hellm
Week 10, Episode 5: David Fishman
Oct 16, 2010 · 45 min
Fishman starts off the night as the leading Loose Cannon and plays tight to keep his profit.. Will poker pros David Williams, Phil Laak and Bill Perkins allow him to go home with s
Week 11, Episode 1: William Given
Oct 19, 2010 · 45 min
This week's Loose Cannon takes on poker legends Daniel Negreanu, Phil Galfond, Doyle Brunson, Scott Seiver and Joe Hachem. Will he be able to make some profit?
Week 11, Episode 2: William Given
Oct 20, 2010 · 45 min
At this week's poker table sit some amazing poker legends like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Galfond, Doyle Brunson, Scott Seiver and Joe Hachem. Will Negreanu be able to win against Galfo
Week 11, Episode 3: William Given
Oct 21, 2010 · 45 min
Just like last episode, Daniel negreanu and Phil Galfond are having a showdown under the watchful eyes of Doyle Brunson, Scott Seiver and Joe Hachem. Will Negreany make the right h
Week 11, Episode 4: William Given
Oct 22, 2010 · 45 min
After our Loose Cannon had to leave the table last episode, this table is now stacked with pros Phil Galfond, Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Scott Seiver, Aaron Jones and Joe Hach
Week 11, Episode 5: William Given
Oct 23, 2010 · 45 min
The last episode of the week with poker pros Daniel Negreanu, Phil Galfond, Doyle Brunson, Scott Seiver, Aaron Jones and Joe Hachem.. Who will end up on top?
Week 12, Episode 1: Bob Ferdinand
Oct 25, 2010 · 45 min
This week the new Loose Cannon sits at a table with "Elky" Grospellier, Abe Mosseri, Phil Hellmuth, Vanessa Rousso, and Amit Makhija. Who will end up on top? Subscribe here to our
Week 12, Episode 2: Bob Ferdinand
Oct 26, 2010 · 45 min
The last Loose Cannon of the season is not scared to take on "Elky" and Amit Makhija to increase his profits. Phil Hellmuth, Abe Mosseri and Peter Jetten are eager to see what happ
Week 12, Episode 3: Bob Ferdinand
Oct 27, 2010 · 45 min
The Loose Cannon is doing well and wants to be the best Loose Cannon of the season. Will Phil Hellmuth, Abe Mosseri, Peter Jetten and Amit Makhija let him achieve this?
Week 12, Episode 4: Bob Ferdinand
Oct 28, 2010 · 45 min
Things are getting interestng for the Loose Cannon with Phil Hellmuth, Peter Jetten, Abe Mosseri and Amit Makhija at the table.. Will he become the best Loose Cannon of the season?
Week 12, Episode 5: Bob Ferdinand
Oct 29, 2010 · 45 min
In this last episode of first season of The Big Game, everything is coming to a head! Which Loose Cannon will end making the most profit, thereby achieving the title of Loose Canno