Jayde Nicole and Sara Underwood star at the WPT Invitational

Many tournaments have featured back to back champions or back to back player of the years, but only the 2010 WPT Celebrity Invitational can boast back to back Playboy Playmate of the Years. 2008 Playmate of the Year Jayde Nicole (left), joined 2007 Playmate of the Year Sara Underwood (right) and many other celebrities ~~and almost celebrities~~ for what is annually the most festive tournament on the WPT's schedule.
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With all the arguments these days about what is good for poker and what is bad for poker, we are going out on a limb and saying Playmates are good for poker. Especially Playmates of the Year. But, the Invitational was more serious this year despite the many distractions, so we took that as our sign to bail. Pokerlistings' bad boy reporter, Marty "the ~~Anti-~~Party" Derbyshire, did resist the temptation to have fun for once in his life and stayed behind, so follow his coverage here:

For our complete WPT Invitational Photo Album click

Somehow 2007 Playmate of the Year Sara Underwood ended up assigned a seat to the exact right of WPT Founder Steve Liscomb in the WPT Invitational. Kinda like the Knicks magically getting the first pick in the NBA draft when Ewing was available. You see where I'm going here? I'm on to you Steve!
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Not to be outdone by her predecessor, 2008 POY Jayde Nicole shows she looks good from all angles at the Invitational.
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WPT Celebrity Invitational celebrity photographer Patti thinks this lovey dovey photo of LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian is worth big bucks. If you agree and have big bucks please call her. LeAnn-Rimes-Eddie-Cibrian

One of the top contenders for "first couple of poker", Brian Townsend and Kara Scott. Brian played in the tournament and Kara did her best Conan impression temporarily filling in for the recently departed Amanda Leatherman, who bolted for the PokerStars sponsored NAPT. Based on the staff we saw working the event, we think the WPT will promote from within. Kara did win $400K for second in the Irish Open last year (more Conan similarities) and went deep in the WSOP Main Event twice, so is not taking the ~~probably low paying~~ job. More on the vacant WPT Hostess job later... brian-townsend-kara-scott

This was one of the sickeningly adorable LA couples that played in the event. Also, they are the same height. brian-townsend-kara-scott

Those cute pouty lips, that sporty casual look, the perfectly parted hair. Kimberly Lansing is not bad, but man those guys from wickedchops are amazing. kimberly-lansing-wicked

I went to the Invitational most excited to see Meadow Soprano (a no-show), but left most excited to have seen Alfonso Ribeiro. I would given almost anything to see him do some breakin' during one of the tournament breaks. His parents must have known that if you take the first two and last two letters of Alfonso's name you get the word also. That can't be a coincidence as Alfonso has been one of the all time great TV sidekicks (or alsos), in both Silver Spoons and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. alfonso-riebero

The stars and playmates in attendance failed to overshadow the British Beauty Liv Boeree. liv-boeree

While researching the celebs on the press release for the Invitational, I discovered this guy, Eric Dane made a steamy sex tape with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart and a former Miss Teen USA. Such an understanding wife deserves a medal, but instead she was sporting a bun in the oven. dane-gayheart

Tiffany Michelle (left) and Trishelle Cannatella (right) both walked down the red carpet sponsored by sites that still owe explanations for major cheating scandals, or is it only one explanation for both? So confusing. We're not sure if we really blame Tiffany and Trishelle for taking the money and Trishelle is going to take some more as she increased her stack all the way to the final table, which will be continued next week. trishelle-cannatella-tiffany-michelle

As promised earlier we are revisiting the talk about the vacant WPT hostess job. We think Jacque (who already works for the WPT) has the inside track, but you never know what tricks the WPT or Party Poker may have up their sleeves. jacque

Jayde Nicole and Sara Underwood star at the WPT Invitational

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