AJ Benza returns for his third season as the host of television's only cash game no limit Texas hold 'em poker series, HIGH STAKES POKER.

Benza, a New York native, has made several appearances on the big screen including: "Rocky Balboa," "Ransom," "Conspiracy Theory," "The Deli," "Not Even the Trees," "Chump Change" and "P.S. Your Cat Is Dead."

The multi-talented Benza recently published his memoir, "Fame, Ain't It A Bitch," a highly-charged account of his rise to power and fall from grace as New York City's most controversial columnist of the 1990's. Benza is also a regular contributor to Playboy and has been published in many magazines including George, Cosmopolitan and Manhattan File.

Benza first started in the industry as a sportswriter for Newsday in 1984. From there, he moved on to the New York Daily News and soon became the city's most celebrated and feared gossip columnist, writing and editing both the daily "Hot Copy" and "Downtown" columns.

Kaplan returns for his fifth season as an analyst on HIGH STAKES POKER. Kaplan's knowledge of poker as well as ability to explain the nuances of the cash game has made him a viewer favorite.

As a world class poker player, Kaplan is no stranger to high stakes games and tournaments. He has made the final table in six World Series of Poker events, won the Super Bowl of Poker twice and finished third in the WPT 2004 Mirage Poker Showdown.

Kaplan is best known for his starring role as the teacher and reformed "Sweathog" on the hit television series "Welcome Back Kotter." He has also appeared in theater productions, originating the role of "Groucho, A Life In Review," while also starring in the national touring company of the successful Broadway comedy, "Doubles."

Kaplan is also an active participant in the stock market whose Wall Street investment strategies have been written about in several leading financial magazines.

In addition to being on HIGH STAKES POKER, Kaplan continues to work as a stand-up comedian, performing mostly as a speaker at corporate and civic events.