Sabina Gadecki Gets Friel'd, Not Coming Back for Season VI of the World Poker Tour

All right. We speculated wrongly.

In a post last week, we stated that someone was going to get whacked from Season VI of the World Poker Tour. It caused quite a stir around the Fontana Poker Room, with most of the players and media types we spoke with thinking Mike Sexton would be the one to go, as he simply doesn't need the WPT. He's set financially. Or maybe he wants to play more poker and high stakes golf matches. Who knows. 

We, on the other hand, assumed it was Vince Van Patten who wouldn't be coming back, sex appeal and really good hair be damned!

But over the course of the week we have heard from multiple, well-placed sources that it is actually the show's shamefully cute hostess, Sabina Gadecki, who after one season is departing just like her predecessor Courtney Friel did after hosting Season IV of the tour (Friel is now roving it as a part-time reporter for the Fox News Channel).

Gadecki's departure comes as a surprise to many who thought the aspiring actress/model and former Miss Polonii Świata and Miss Polonia World 2002 might just be able to fill the shoes (leopard print dresses, bikinis, etc.) of everyone's favorite poker hostess, Shana Hiatt (seen at left from her spectacularly splendid Stuff Magazine spread).

Shana charmed us the first three seasons of the WPT, abruptly left due to some behind-closed-doors conflicts, then sued the WPT after they tried to Peacock-block her. Now she hosts NBC's poker line-up, including its late night ratings winner "Poker After Dark."

The WPT had high hopes for Gadecki when they announced almost exactly a year ago that she was the show's new hostess. WPT creator and CEO Steve Lipscomb remarked then, "We chose Sabina from hundred of applicants. She emerged as the right fit because of the star qualities she naturally exhibits. Her charisma stood out from all other cadidates."

However, a few insiders claim that Gadecki just didn't quite have the knack for talking up poker with the players, or doing those great casino touristy pieces, something only Shana Hiatt so far has seem capable of doing well.

With the first tournament of Season VI, the Mirage Poker Showdown, just a few weeks away (May 19), expect an official announcement soon from Lipscomb on Gadecki's departure and her replacement.

Comments

[James Stewart]

Courtney Friel was fired for having a cocaine problem. It makes sense she ends up on conservative TV.

[Zmajrxj]

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[Francis Chu]

If Sabina is replaced, maybe they could get Lisa Dergan to replace her. After all, Lisa did do the interviews on GSN's Poker Royale, and with the World Poker Tour moving to GSN for Season 6, it would be an appropriate choice.

[Brian]

She was great to look at, but she really sucked. I am not surprised at all she was axed.

[beans]

seriously, did you really just suggest Brandi Hawbaker? in the same sentence as Lynette Chan and Evelyn Ng??

i have to assume you were joking, i just have to...

[cc]

I actually think they made a mistake replacing Courtney with Sabina. Sabina has been truly dreadful with just horrific questions this season. Courtney at least seemed to be transitioning. Why not get a hot poker player, maybe an up and comer type like Brandi, Lynette Chan, even Evelyn Ng for crying out loud. It would be great to reinvent the role rather than simply fall into a hot look/no poker or interviewing skills trap.

[jason]

uh, is keeley hazell available?

[Pope]

I agree with CJ. No sense in trying to find the next Shana...it's like trying to replace Brooke Burke on Wild On E! They should just pick the hottest girl..perhaps a Playmate or something and boot her at the end of the season and pick a new one.

[CJ]

Frankly... Shana ruined it for everyone who will follow her.

Might as well just pick the hottest girl they can find now.

[Mel N.]

Wow! That was quick if this is true. It seems they would have to have someone already in mind with the next season just a few weeks away from starting.