Poker After Dark: Game of Gold, a GGPoker creation, was the talk of the poker community in the fall, and it will soon return for an eagerly anticipated second season. Show details haven’t been released, but PokerNews spoke with the reigning champion, Maria Ho, at the Leigh Steinberg Super Bowl Party on Saturday to get her thoughts on Season 2.
Last week, there were reports that filming had begun for the second season. This stemmed from a 12-minute Season 1 reunion video GGPoker released, but host Jeff Platt was only joking.
“It was a joke that I think people misinterpreted,” Ho said. “But Season 2 is definitely happening, but as far as who is going to be in that, where it’s going to be filmed, all of that, who knows.”
Who Will Appear on Game of Gold Season 2?
Game of Gold is a reality TV-based poker show that requires more than just traditional poker skill to win. In the first season, many of the game’s biggest stars competed, including Daniel Negreanu, Josh Arieh, Jason Koon, Fedor Holz, and Ho.
The new cast of characters hasn’t yet been disclosed, so it’s unclear who will return, who will not, and who will replace those who don’t. But it’s safe to assume the defending champion will be back, and Koon will not given that he recently left his role as an ambassador for GGPoker. It’s also likely the cast will include prominent GGPoker pros such as Negreanu and Holz. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess, but the first ever Game of Gold winner did say who she’d like to see return.
“Obviously, Dan Cates, ‘Jungleman,’ hilarious, bring him back. Maybe this time he’ll be awake for it,” the defending champion said. “I loved Kyna England, I think Josh Arieh is so funny, Fedor Holz, I want the whole team, let’s run it back.”
When asked which newcomers she’d enjoy having as part of Season 2, she first threw out the Galfond’s, Farah and Phil.
“I think one of the most interesting things about the first season is the mix of different types of players, you know, players that are experienced at all levels.”
“I think they’d fit right in,” Ho explained. “They’re so funny and really good at poker.”
Ho, who earned $456,000 for winning the title, said she’d like to “see some more non-poker players” and “celebrity types.”
“I think one of the most interesting things about the first season is the mix of different types of players, you know, players that are experienced at all levels. And I really think bringing that to the next level will help add that extra oomph and just make it more mainstream friendly. I think we can make it even bigger.”
After having won the first season, no doubt Ho will have a target on her back much like a Super Bowl champion does entering the following season. She admits she might have to change things up a bit in Season 2 to throw her opponents off.
“I wish I could just mic drop it, but I got to go defend my title, but when I do I’ll have a few more tricks up my sleeve,” she promises.
Will Maria Ho defend her title on Game of Gold Season 2? We’ll all just have to watch and find out, whenever the show begins.
Maria Ho Wins Game of Gold First Season