QMP I: Semi-Final Game 1 Round 1====================================================================== (Al Michaels and John Madden standing in front of something resembling the Magnificent Marble Machine) Rich Jeffries: "VBS Sunday Night Pinball" (audience laughs) will not be seen at this time. Instead, we bring you a poker game where we hope no one will go on -- tilt. ======================================================================
MICHAEL ANDY 
Rich: This is our 2nd seeded champion, Michael Clifford. So far, he has a cyber-cash total of CY$168,550. And this is our 3rd seed, Andy Silikovitz. His cyber-cash winnings total CY$160,000.
They're back to play in the semi-finals in the Quarter Million Playoff -- of the card game where high hands can bring high rewards. This is Net Poker.
Rich: And now, from the Bonus Island Resort and Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, here are our host and dealer, Doug Morris and D.J. Hamilton!
(Doug walks out wearing the tuxedo from last year's wedding; D.J. walks alongside wearing a gold sequined dress) (more cheers as audience gives them a standing ovation)
Doug: Thank you, Rich Jeffries. Helloooooooooo, everybody. It's tourney time and we're in Tunica!
D.J.: While we're happy to be here, we do continue to send our best to everyone in and near Gulfport.
Doug: And we're happy to note the Bonus Island in Gulfport plans to reopen by year's end. Can't wait for that to happen. Meantime, there's CY$250,000 burning a hole in our pocket. Let's start this Quarter Million Playoff.
(audience cheers) (D.J. walks over to the cards board)
Doug: Michael, Andy, glad to see you back. Here is how we play this semi-final game of the QMP. The game consists of three rounds of 5-Card Poker -- and we'll play under normal 5-Card Poker rules with these major differences: we play for cyber-cash instead of points and when a new round starts, you build on your score from the previous round.
In this first round, questions are worth CY$500 each, the blind-card question is worth CY$750 and we pay CY$1250 to the player who makes the better hand.
Doug: The player with the higher score at the end of the third round wins this game and advances to the finals where he'll either face John Menjes or Andy Geller.
That's all you need to know for now. Michael, before we started, you got to cut the cards since you're seeded higher. Let's see the first two cards of the Quarter Million Playoff
D.J.: We start with Michael's favorite pretty Ace of Spades and the Jack of Hearts.
Doug: And here's the question worth the tournament's first CY$500. Good luck, everyone...
In the year 1935, the...
\ first lie detector test was conducted
\ Chicago White Sox won that year's World Series
\ all of the above
\ none of the aboveDoug: Michael.
Michael: first lie detector test was conducted
Doug: Correct.
MICHAEL ANDY Doug: Detroit Tigers beat the Cubbies in that year's World Series. Michael, you've got the tournament's first CY$500 -- don't spend it all in one place. (light laughter from the crowd) And which card would you like?
Michael: Ace of Spades
Doug: Thought you'd might.
MICHAEL
ANDY
Doug: Andy gets the Jack and we get two more cards.
D.J.: The Queen of Clubs and the 9 of Diamonds.
Doug: And here's your next query...
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States,...
\ served four full terms in office
\ officially named the presidential residence "The White House"
\ all of the above
\ none of the aboveDoug: Andy.
Andy: officially named the presidential residence "The White House"
Doug: Right for a tie.
MICHAEL ANDY Doug: That other Roosevelt, Franklin, was in the White House for four terms. Andy, which card?
Andy: Queen of clubs
Doug: Queen for you...
MICHAEL
ANDY
Doug: ...9 for Michael. Third pair of cards on the way...
D.J.: The 9 of Hearts and the Queen of Spades.
Doug: How about that? The other red 9 and black Queen up for grabs -- with this...
Actor John Turturro appeared in the movie...
\ Mr. Deeds
\ Rounders
\ all of the above
\ none of the aboveDoug: Michael.
Michael: all of the above
Doug: That's right.
MICHAEL ANDY Doug: Makes sense to talk about Rounders on a poker game show. Michael, which card?
Michael: I can't let Andy get a pair of Queens, so I will take the Queen myself.
Doug: Lady in black for you...
MICHAEL
ANDY
Doug: ...Andy gets the 9. Wouldn't it be funny if the next cards were a red Queen and black 9? Let's see if that happens.
D.J.: No Queen or 9 -- just rockets. The Ace of Clubs and the Ace of Diamonds.
Doug: Well, Michael will have two Aces going into the blind card question. Andy, you could tie the game with this...
"I Think We're Alone Now" was a song recorded by...
\ Debbie Gibson
\ Tommy James & The Shondells
\ all of the above
\ none of the aboveDoug: Michael.
Michael: Tommy James & the Shondells
Doug: Tommy's from my adopted hometown of Dayton. That's right.
MICHAEL ANDY Doug: BTW, it was Tiffany, the other '80s teen queen, who remade the song. Michael, which Ace?
Michael: Ace of Diamonds
Doug: Very well...
MICHAEL
ANDY
Doug: ...BTW, in the kinda sorta unlikely yet not impossible event Michael gets a Jack and Andy receives the last Ace in the deck, that will mean a tie for better hand and no one gets extra points. Just stating for the record. Also, as we get the last two cards ready for this round...
Doug: ...the winner of this round won't get to play for a prize by picking a letter in "POKER". But he will receive CY$1250 if he makes a better hand than the opposition outright. This question, since it's the blind card pair, is worth CY$750...
In the year 1965,...
\ Buster Keaton died
\ T.S. Eliot died
\ all of the above
\ none of the aboveDoug: Andy.
Andy: T.S. Eliot died
Doug: That's right.
MICHAEL ANDY Doug: Buster Keaton died in 1966. OK, Andy, you've narrowed the gap considerably. Will one card give you the lead at the end of this round? If so, select it.
Andy: Left card
Doug: Left card it is...
MICHAEL
ANDY
Doug: ...Andy, you'll need an Ace for a shot at doubling your score. Otherwise, we know Michael will win CY$1250. Let's see if there's an Ace for Andy.
MICHAEL
ANDY
Doug: No it's a Queen and Michael picks up CY$1250.
MICHAEL ANDY Doug: Just for grins, what was the last card for Michael?
MICHAEL
ANDY
Doug: A King. (smooth jazz theme plays) Score after the first round -- 2750 to 1250 in favor of Michael. Remember, in the next round, our players will be building on those scores. Higher cumulative score at the end of the third round advances in the tournament.
Later, three main game contestants will get a chance to win some cyber-money. But after the break, Net Poker's Quarter Million Playoff continues from Tunica -- with our second round in this semi-final match-up. Stay with us.
(audience cheers) (various shots of the crowd from the boom cam)
ADVANCE TO ROUND 2
