The Strip is LIVE tonight at 8pm PT w/ @AnnieDuke

[UPDATE: We'll start the Annie Duke interview at 8:15p]

On the eve of the start of the 42nd World Series of Poker Main Event, we hear from the only pro in the game who has any kind of serious name recognition in mainstream popular culture. That's Celebrity Apprentice runner-up Annie Duke, who is sitting out the WSOP this year to focus instead on her role as commissioner of the Epic Poker League. My Las Vegas Weekly column this week lays out my argument for why this league could be exactly what the game needs to interest people beyond the poker world. Annie explains how it works and then talks a bit about Joan Rivers, Donald Trump and her 1 v 100 stint.

The episode also is expected to include an interview with U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Las Vegas, who is sponsoring a bill to repeal the virtual ban on playing poker online. That conversation won't be recorded until tomorrow, though.

As usual, we'll play the interview starting at about 8 p.m. and you can hear that and chat with other listeners -- pluss watch Black, Jack and Aces gnaw ferociously at treats! -- on this UStream site. When Miles gets home from work, we'll do the regular parts of the show.

C'mon down! But if not, I'll try getting the podcast out probably Thursday night, so you can subscribe to The Strip (it's free!) in iTunes or Zune to get the latest show and various specials.