Jean-Robert Bellande Competes on Survivor: China

On September 20, poker players around the world will get to see one of their own hit the mainstream.  Professional poker player Jean-Robert Bellande will appear as a competitor on Survivor: China, the fifteenth season of the hit television program.   

In an interview for the show, Bellande recalled being approached about the show.  “Initially, when it was suggested to me to consider doing Survivor, I thought no way.  I’m used to comfortable hotels and casinos with air conditioning.  I’m not really the outdoors type,” he said.  “I just started thinking about it.  I thought you know, this is a great challenge.  This is a great opportunity.  Sixteen players and a chance for a million dollars.  That’s as good of any odds as you can expect in any kind of game situation.” 

Bellande went on to say that while he is not in very good shape, something that may put him behind the eight ball for some of the physical challenges, he does feel that his poker skills will give him an advantage in the contest.  He feels he is good at identifying the strong and weak players, and can make adjustments to his strategy as the game progresses. 

Bellande has accumulated almost three quarters of a million dollars in poker tournament winnings.  His biggest score came in 2005 when he placed third in the $10,000 WSOP Circuit event at the Rio, cashing for $210,900.