Literary Death Match is sorta like this, except with words — and minus the steel cage and the sweet stretch pants.

What has brought together talents as diverse as Moby, Lemony Snicket and writers for The Believer and The New Yorker? What involves the words “death match” and “opium,” and takes place at a bar?

If you guessed “a night of marathon drinking and drugs,” you’re only half right. Get ready for the Mile High City’s first-ever Literary Death Match. The hybrid arts/entertainment event, created by Opium Magazine’s Todd Zuniga (who’s also pitching it as a TV show), has been running strong in New York, San Francisco and Beijing for more than 30 installments. And now it’s Denver’s turn.

The event is essentially a showdown of four writers before a panel of three judges and a live audience. After the writers trot out their most compelling works, the judges choose two finalists to compete in the big finale, a “decidedly un-literary competition” that determines the winner of the Literary Death Match Crown. Of course, there will be drink tickets.

“There’s kind of a dearth in Denver of fun, entertaining literary events in general,” said Boulder author and event co-curator Jody Reale. “That’s why I’m really excited about the series because I think there’s a need for that kind of event — especially when the Broncos aren’t playing.”

So why come to Denver?

“I knew about the Literary Death Matches in other cities because I’m a big fan of Opium Magazine and have been in there once, so I e-mailed Todd Zuniga and asked him if he’d be interested in coming to Denver.”

The first “episode” in Denver takes place at 7 p.m. at the suitably eclectic Mercury Cafe on Saturday. $10 gets you in the door and a copy of the latest issue of Opium Magazine. And don’t worry — you won’t need a helmet or brass knuckles.

“The name is strictly tongue-in-cheek and the judges are kind of there for color commentary,” Reale said.

Phew.

For more info call 303-294-9258 or visit LiteraryDeathMatch.com.