I'm tired of photos of only poker players on this blog, so today I'll write about Shannon James, in town to promote a poker contest. (She's Miss May 2007.)

The Macanudo Millionaire contest offers two winners and their guests a three-day, two-night trip to the Las Vegas. They get VIP treatment, and if they hit a straight flush, they win $2 million. It's part of the cigar tour featuring James, who will be in Miami today for media only.

Alison Waite, Playboy’s Miss May 2006, is featured in the Macanudo contest’s website.

She encourages consumers of legal smoking age to visit their favorite U.S. tobacco shop between June 7 and Aug. to purchase a specially marked four-pack containing Macanudo Café, Maduro, Robust and Gold Label cigars. On the pack, consumers will find details about how they can enter the contest via brief essays expressing their desire to win the trip to the strip.

The contest debuted last year but this year is up to $2 million possible prize. (OK, not very likely though; I've gotten one straight flush in three years, and that was playing for free online, and with seven cards in Texas Hold 'em, not five.)

Winners will be selected on or before Sept. 14.

Updates about Macanudo Millionaire will be posted to the contest’s Facebook (http://bit.ly/cn8Wfs) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/macanudocigars) accounts.

Quick update; Shannon just was here on our TV show and we chatted for a couple of minutes and took some pictures. I'll put them up in the next 24 hours. My one quick comment and trying not to sound like a creepy old man: it's rare when a girl is prettier in person than in her handout photo, but that'd be my call in this case.