POKER MOVIE - THE GRAND IS A WILD RIDE

Last time you heard from me, I was talking about the early buzz surrounding the poker themed movie The Grand. I was able to catch a screening, and I offer the following observations. The Grand is full of insider poker humor and does a great job of poking fun at some of the more outrageous characters in the poker world. The movie, which stars Woody Harrelson, and has cameos from half a dozen top poker players like Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and others is worth the price of admission for the hardcore poker fan. The good news-it's the best poker themed movie since Rounders. The bad news: It doesn't have much competition.

I BET YOU WILL KEEP ITS MOJO

Phil Laak and Antonio Esfandiari will return for a second series of their prop-bet based buddy show, I Bet You, which airs on the MOJO all hi-definition TV network. The new season will air on Thursdays beginning April 10. Last season's shows featured Laak and Antonio betting against each other on activities as diverse as roller derby and dune buggy racing. This season will not just feature just the two poker pros going at it, as each episode will have a guest star participating in the bet. Guests scheduled to appear include Howard Lederer, Eli Elezra, Jennifer Tilly, Lance Burton, George Segal, Richard Karn, Charles Durning, and Shannon Elizabeth.

CELEBRITY POKER PLAYERS SHOW MIXED RESULTS ON DANCING WITH THE STARS

Speaking of Shannon Elizabeth, she has flown through the first two episodes of her Dancing With the Stars appearance, with one judge calling her week two appearance "... the best routine of the night." Showing way more fluidity than 90 percent of her poker opponents can show, Elizabeth breezed through a two minute run of a dance called the quick step. Part time poker player and magician Penn Jillette did not fare as well, as he was booted off during the recent double elimination episode. One judge complimented Jillette on his showmanship, but ultimately it was the lack of solid footwork that busted Jillette out of the competition.

A NO DEAL FOR ANNIE DUKE'S POKER PACKAGE

Poker players keep turning up on television game and reality shows. The latest recognizable poker face popping up unexpectedly was Annie Duke, who made a guest appearance as part of a prize package during a recent episode of Deal or No Deal. Annie appeared on Monday's episode as part of a package offered to contestant Mary Beth Holtzheimer. In addition to $133,000 in cash, the offer included a WSOP Academy camp entry, private lessons with Annie, and other poker-related incentives. Holtzheimer, a poker fan, was tempted but eventually said, "No deal!" which turned out to be the right play. She eventually left the show with $341,000.

WHAT WOULD DANIEL'S X-MEN NICKNAME BE?

Rumors that Daniel Negreanu will make a cameo appearance in next year's X-Men Origins: Wolverine appear to be true. The latest installment in the X-Men franchise returns Hugh Jackman to the silver screen in his furry "Wolverine" role. Negreanu confirmed in a video diary entry that he shot some stuff for the film in Sydney, which, along with nearby New Zealand, is where Wolverine was shot. Reports say Negreanu plays poker against Jackman's Wolverine character in one scene. Sources say there's no truth to the rumor that Daniel felt typecast in his role as a poker player.