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  Usually when the title of a show includes the phrase "takes on the world", it is a science fiction flick about a creature that radiation has mutated into a 400 ft colossus. For those who enjoy this sort of entertainment, turn on the Sci-Fi channel. If you are interested in watching Annie Duke takes some amateurs to the poker woodshed, turn to GSN for "Annie Duke Takes On the World".



  The show premiered on Monday May 1st, 2006. The general format for this production is that four amateur poker players fight it out at a game of Texas Hold'em for the privilege of going head to head with Annie herself. The part of the show where the four players are going against each other has almost an "American Idol" feel to it. As they play, Annie and her co-host Regan Burns (Known best for his role on the show "Titus") comment on their skills. Duke shines in this environment. She is a natural teacher, and any of the four who are listening to what she has to say would greatly improve their game.



  This show did relatively well in its time slot. There was a lot of buzz before the premier, and it had good visibility on UltimateBet.com. The curiosity factor combined with Annie Duke's immense likeability helped the inaugural show pull in respectable numbers. With that said, the show was not without its quirks. The four competitors were referred to almost exclusively by nicknames (Author Dave, Rocker Max, Dr. K, and Slacker). Of the quartet only Rocker Max seemed to be paying the most attention to any advice Annie was offering. Because of his attentiveness to what a master has to say about the game, he outlasted the others and won not only $1000, but the opportunity to play against Annie.



  Nobody has any illusions about who was going to win when Annie Duke takes on an amateur. If the stars had aligned just right, he may have had a chance of taking her down. Unfortunately for Rocker Max, the stars were busy doing what stars do and were in no hurry to bother realigning just for his sake. Annie beat him, but to her credit, she made it look more difficult than it actually was.



  This show, like all new shows, needs to be tweaked, but it does have potential. Many look forward to furture episodes to see if this television gamble works out for Annie.