LOS ANGELES — Scoring the highest rating ever for a televised card game, Ultimate Blackjack Tour (UBT) captured a 1.4 on Christmas day to post an amazing 100 % spike, up from .7 with the show’s launch episode on September 16th. The Christmas day UBT season one championship raked in 1.7 million viewers, surpassing the show’s Dec. 23rd 1.0 rating by over a half million viewers.

"We’re obviously pleased," said UBT GM and Chief Marketing Officer Larry Kopald, "But not surprised. We knew going in that there was a pent-up demand from blackjack players who have seen poker explode on TV while the larger pool of blackjack players was virtually ignored. The most exciting part for us is that as the TV show continues to grow, Elimination Blackjack™ is being embraced as the new type of blackjack tournament for land based casinos as well. Obviously, the more places we can connect with our audience, the better."

The first season of UBT, which aired its tenth and final episode on December 30th on CBS, featured the world’s top poker and blackjack pros for the first time ever in cut-throat Elimination Blackjack™ tournament action against the dealer and one another. With nail-biting elimination hands, secret bets and smash mouth trash talking, the ten-episode first season of UBT action enjoyed a gradual ratings incline before the major jump to 1.4 for the season championship. Season two airs in May 2007 on CBS.

Additionally, UBT kicked off its first official international tour with impressive numbers on September 23 in Aruba and also brought Elimination Blackjack™ tournaments to major gaming destinations including Palms Casino Resort and The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas as well as the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino in San Diego. In 2007, UBT will be giving away millions of dollars worldwide as the tour continues.

Through its web site, PlayUBT.com, Ultimate Blackjack Tour is currently holding free online tournaments where winners earn seats to the UBT final tables to be televised at a later date. The site also provides Elimination Blackjack™ playing tips, tour information, and in-depth analysis of the televised events.

UBT Press Contacts:

Fifteen Minutes PR (Los Angeles)
Ryan Croy 323/556-9700, ext. 306 Ryan@FifteenMinutes.com
Howard Bragman 323/556-9700, ext. 333 Howard@FifteenMinutes.com