Registered: Nov 2001
Location: D/FW area, TX, USA
Posts: 197

2003 World Series of Poker on ESPN July/Aug.

Found this on a PR site...

quote:

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WORLD SERIES OF POKER PRIMETIME COVERAGE ON ESPN

ESPN and The Binion Horseshoe Hotel & Casino of Las Vegas have finalized a three-year agreement to televise the World Series of Poker beginning in July. ESPN's coverage of the 2003 World Series of Poker, which took place April 15-May 23, will focus on the final competition known as Texas Hold'em. Hundreds of professional, amateur and club players ventured to Las Vegas from all over the world to compete for the $2.5 million purse. The [2003] telecast, an ESPN Original Entertainment (EOE) production, will include seven one-hour shows, each Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, starting July 8.

"The World Series of Poker has always delivered dramatic television and a faithful following, and we look forward to expanding our coverage," said Michael Antinoro, senior coordinating producer. "We aim to televise the best in competition with programming that breaks through and entertains, and the World Series of Poker helps us fulfill our mission."

The 34th annual event, known as the oldest and largest gaming competition in the world, was originated in 1970 by the late Benny Binion. "My father would be so proud to see how much the tournament has grown," said Becky Binion Behnen, president of the Horseshoe Casino. "The World Series of Poker was one of his finest achievements."

ESPN has televised the World Series of Poker six times, including last year's event, which was won by Robert Varrkonyi of New York. Previously the network televised the 1998 and 1999 U.S. Poker Open and the 2000 and 2001 World Poker Open.

EOE is developing a wide-variety of branded programming to add to the network's comprehensive event and sports news coverage. Using a collection of vehicles - original movies, reality-based shows, dramatic series, documentaries, game shows and more - ESPN's goal is to broaden its audience by more strongly appealing to younger and casual sports fans.

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Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Chicago
Posts: 522

I hope they maintain the qaulity production thet have with the World Poker Tour. Every other time I have seen the World Series of Poker, the lighting has been awful, I understand that it's a poker game, not a television spectacle, but they should be able to make it nice and clean.

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Registered: May 2000
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 8017

Agreed regarding production values. The difference between the production values in the World Poker Tour and the 2002 WSOP is night and day.

I'm also a bit dissapointed to see that it will be 7 1 hour shows versus say 4 2 hour shows. Sounds like it will be maybe 6 hands per show, maybe even less.

Regardless, it is good stuff and I'll set my TiVo! Thanks for the heads up!

-John

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 3179

I have found I am strangely obsessed with the World Poker Tour. It's a really addictive program to watch!

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Piston Town, MI, USA
Posts: 4494

WPT always claims they are the only poker show on TV that you can see each player's hole cards.

I really hope that ESPN has the same thing. I wouldn't have much intrest in the show if I couldn't see the person's cards. That is what I use to learn
strategy.

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Registered: Feb 2000
Location: Studio City, CA USA
Posts: 4610

Ditto to Scott on the hole cards, although what you toss out in no-limit poker and what you toss out in normal 4-8 type poker is a bit different.

It says 7 one hour shows to cover this year's world series?

Do you think that's just the final table, or are they going to show "early round" games?

-smak-

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Johnston, IA, USA
Posts: 208

Cool beans, though it kind of sucks that I know who wins already. Granted watching poker isn't the same as other sports... but still. :/

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Another guy on another job.
Posts: 2262

Speaking oh who wins, He'll be on Letterman tonight.

left out the name for fear of spoiling.

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