High Stakes Poker 7 Schedule Begins To Take Shape

Following the news that Pokerstars.com is the new main sponsor of High Stakes Poker season 7, and that Full Tilt have probably pulled away from letting their pros appear at the venue, other details have begun emerging about the show’s upcoming season.
One important detail is that the popular cash poker show has shifted location from Downtown Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget to the Bellagio on The Strip as a result of a “production decision.” 
Also in a departure from past seasons, no media reporting will be allowed in during the three day recording of HSP, thus ensuring what happens during the game remains a closely guarded secret. Explaining their decision, a GSN source told Poker News Daily:
“We have all of these new players, a new venue, and new elements. It’s a small space. It’s super tight and we just want to focus on the game play.”
Gabe Kaplan and Kara Scott will continue to host the show, but there will be a major change to the main players taking centre stage in HSP season 7 in the absence of Full Tilt’s large roster of pros, which includes Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius and Tom Dwan.
Also not appearing this season is Daniel Negreanu, who posted on his Twitter account recently:
“Sad news: at airport headed home which means the trip is over 🙁 have a commercial shoot when I land which means no HSP for me this year.”
According to various sources, the list of poker pros lined-up for season 7 will instead include such players as Doyle Brunson, Barry Greenstein, Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari, Phil Galfond, David “Viffer” Peat, Jason Mercier, and Scotty Nguyen. In addition, Andrew “good2cu” Robl and 2010 WSOP Main Event Winner Jonathan Duhamel are expected to make an appearance during the show, as well as several talented amateurs.
Finally, High Stakes Poker season 7 is slated to air at its regular Sunday night slot on GSN in February, 2011.