Sat, 02/12/2011 – 03:42 – PokerPages Staff

Former Team PokerStars sponsored pro, Peter Eastgate, has announced his return to the game.

The 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event champion released a statement on Thursday detailing his reasons for retirement last year and why he feels the time is right to embrace the sport he loves once more.

“Sometimes in life, a person can feel lost and wake up one morning not recognizing who he is. Last summer, that was how I felt.”

“I relocated to London and started a new life, the life of a high profile poker pro. For almost two years I was in a constant spotlight and never had a chance to catch my breath.”

“Over the last eight months, I have had a chance to reconnect with my friends and most important, my family.”

“”I truly enjoy playing poker. I love the competitive element and the mental challenges of tournament poker. I feel I have figured out how I can combine playing poker with a healthy life outside of poker.”

The 25 year-old, who sold his WSOP bracelet for a $147,500 sum on eBay in benefit of UNICEF, confirmed that he will make his return at the PokerStars European Poker Tour stop in Copenhagen later this month.

He will then travel to Caesars Palace for the sixth annual National Heads Up Poker Championship in March.

Wed, 02/09/2011 – 03:33 – PokerPages Staff

The new season of ’High Stakes Poker’ cash game show will air later this month with a new host.

Former ‘Saturday Night Live’ star and comedian Norm MacDonald takes the reigns from Gabe Kaplan. MacDonald will feature alongside decorated poker pro Kara Scott.

The 47 year-old is a regular at the World Series of Poker and has ridden the money bubble to cash on two occasions.

Team PokerStars sponsored pros Daniel Negreanu and Barry Greenstein are among the players who will compete during Season 7 of the popular series.

There will be a $200,000 minimum buy in this time around. Blinds will be $400/$800 with a $100 ante.

Team Full Tilt Poker pros will not feature due to PokerStars’ association with the show meaning Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan and Gus Hansen are absent from the proceedings.

Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Selbst will make her debut, becoming the third female to join the male dominated set at the Bellagio.

2010 World Series of Poker Main Event winner Jonathan Duhamel, Poker Hall of Famer Doyle Brunson, Jason Mercier, Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak are also named among the official cast list.

Season 7 will get underway on Saturday, February 26 at 8pm (ET) on the Game Show Network. A repeat will air the following Sunday at 11pm (ET).