I love poker. I keep a set of chips and cards in my car trunk at all times, just in case. There’s poker books all over my house, and I’ve got I think $5 in my PartyPoker Real Life account. So, when poker news hits the airwaves, I’m all up ons. GSN is planning 2 new Poker Royale series, adding to hits like Comedians and Poker Pros and the Battle of the Sexes.

Poker Royale: The James Woods Gang vs. The Unabombers is slated to begin production on July 25, sadly after I leave for vacation. It puts two poker “gangs” up against each other. James Woods’ Gang will include poker player Kathy Liebert, two time PR winner and WSoP bracelet winner, and actor and professional poker player James Wood (whodathunkit?) The Unabombers will include Phil Laak, who placed first in the 2004 WPT Main Event, actress and winner of the WSoP Ladies Final Table Jennifer Tilly and famed Match Game 90s panelist (and he was some sitcom for CBS, i think… People Like Raymond or something like that?) Brad Garrett. More players will be added to the lineup shortly. It’ll air Fridays at 10 as part of the Casino Night series. It premiers on November 25 at 10 PM ET/PT.

Production will begin on the 27th of July for Poker Royale: Battle of the Ages. This, to me, is far more interesting. Battle of the Ages will put the six top poker players over 60 against the top six poker players under 30. The tournament will shoot for 2 days and unfortunately, I can’t show up. Dear GSN: please tape when I’m available to fly out and watch. Thanks. Showing up to shuffle up and/or deal are TJ Cloutier, who has six WSoP bracelets, “Action” Dan Harrington, Red Sox fan and 1995 WSoP Champion, Gabe Kaplan, who placed 2nd in the 2005 WSoP Limit Hold ‘Em final day (and yes, he’s Mistah Kottttttah from Welcome Back, Kotter, Maureen Feduniak, who placed first in the 2003 WPT Ladies Night Main Event, and Wendeen Eolis, who placed fourth in the 2004 Legends of Poker Ladies Night. The young bloods, with their fancy cars and their non-arthritic legs, are comprised of Michael Gracz, 2005 WSoP bracelet winner, Dutch Boyd, who tied for 11th in the 2003 WSoP Main Event, Erin Ness, who placed 2nd in Poker Royale: Young Bloods, Evelyn Ng, severe poker hottie and 2nd Place in the WPT Ladies night, and Kasey Thompson, who is a respectable skilled pro poker player. Of course, there will be more. I wonder if Phil Ivey is around anywhere. The premier for Oldheads vs. Young Bols (if you’re ghetto, you know what I just said) is set for October 7 at 10 PM ET/PT.

John Ahlers, the golden voice of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, will return as host, and Robert Williamson III will join him as color commentary. Lisa Dergan will be the table-side reporter.