Posts tagged TV

Poker has lost its edge. The bill passed to stop online gambling worked. It has curve the game’s popularity. Tournaments are seeing less and less entrants, and ratings are down for most poker television shows. The “celebrity” status that had previous hit players has waned and more importantly, it’s on the brink of being just a fad.

Maybe it was a fad, but it is not stopping ESPN and Harrahs from trying something new, and controversial among poker players. The plan is to delay the final table of the main event until November, in hopes of building anticipation and interest in the final table. It also would give ESPN the closest thing to live as it can get and only hardcore fans who really care can go online and see who won. Newspapers will be put to bed, so it’ll be impossible to put it in the newspaper the next day, so ESPN gets what it wants in theory.

I like the idea. I just heard about it today, and I’m already excited on how it will be covered. How much better the final table could be – players getting coaches to help them understand the game better and create more interesting situations and built for TV drama. It adds to see which player makes the best adjustment with their time.

The idea worked with the UFC and “The Ultimate Fighter” series. Imagine, pieces about how the players spent time learning the game, wanting it for their family. It can create just an overall “big time” feel to it.

I hear the complaints that it ruins the integrity, by giving players time to think about the table. I hear complaints from pros saying that it could break momentum, but like all ideas, it takes time to it to grow on people.

I’m a part-time poker player, who mostly plays small-stakes and play for the sake of competition, and at one time couldn’t be seen on Tuesdays watching the WSOP and would drive home to watch the WPT on TV. Sadly, I haven’t watched it on TV for a while, and this makes me want to watch and be a fan all over again. It’s a concept if fans hear about it, they might get excited.

The concept is something that I think would be better than half the reality shows that come up. It’s going to be compelling human drama in the game that represents life the best – poker.

For most details on the move go here.