Content: > >
The World Poker Tour (WPT)
Read more om World Poker Tour
Television broadcasts of poker tournaments and games are, in part, what most people cite as one of the reasons for the incredible popularity of the game today. It's hard to believe that just seven years ago casinos all over the world were shutting down their poker rooms because no one was interested enough to make the game profitable; the increase in interest and knowledge about poker has truly revolutionized the way the world thinks about the game.
One of the television broadcasts that can claim to have been in at the ground level of the current poker phenomenon is the World Poker Tour. Today the World Poker Tour is a name that includes not just the mega popular Texas Hold 'em tournaments, but also a burgeoning website with an online poker room. The show itself can boast broadcasts on three different major stations; the Travel Channel the first station host of the WPT, NBC and GSN. Let's take a look at what the World Poker Tour is all about.
History
The creator of the World Poker Tour is Steven Lipscomb, who still runs the entire company as the Chief Executive Officer today. Lipscomb's vision was to bring poker back to the masses on a regular basis, instead of having them watch all the pros together once a year when ESPN broadcast select events from the World Series of Poker.
In order to do this, Lipscomb came up with an idea for a series of Texas hold 'em poker tournaments that would be played internationally (currently most of the tournaments take place in the United States, the exception being the tourney at the Aviation Club in Paris). The show began production in 2002, with the Championship event held in the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. The entire first season actually aired on the Travel Channel in the spring of 2003, and with a broadcast every Wednesday night it became the most popular show in the history of the station. In 2004 NBC debuted the show, challenging the ultra popular pre-game Super Bowl show on CBC.
The World Poker Tour and the Travel Channel have parted ways after the fifth season, and the 2008 season will be aired on GSN.
Personalities
Of course, the big draw for viewers of the WPT are the professional poker players who come to try out their skill and luck in the quest for the big money. Virtually every important pro has a presence on the WPT, and watching them at work is a great way to sharpen ones' game. This is made possible by the innovative use of hole cams, which allow viewers to see what each player is holding, and makes it easier for them to understand the strategy behind the plays.
Other personalities on the show include the co hosts, World Series of Poker winner Mike Sexton and actor Vince Van Patten. In addition, there has always been a female host and sideline reporter. Shana Hiatt served in this role for the first three season, with Courtney Friel filling in for 2005, and Sabina Gadecki for the fifth season. The current lady in this role is Layla Kayleigh.
Admission and prizes
As stated above, all the current pros make a point of coming to the tournaments hosted by the WPT. This is a huge draw for amateur players, who can match wits against the very best if they buy in or win a satellite tournament.
Each tournament on the tour includes a grand prize, and the grand finale prize at the Bellagio is well over a million dollars. In addition, the WPT uses its various events to rank players, with a World Poker Tour player of the year going to the player with the most points at the end of the season. Points are awarded according to tournament finishes.
|
|
Now with a 100% up to $600 Bonus. User bonus code: STARS600.
 Visit PokerStars
100% up to $500. Bonus Code: "poker500" + $1000 Freeroll when you make your first deposit.
Visit Everest Poker
$100 up to $500 + $ 100,000 Freeroll. Casino and the biggest range of Sportsbetting offers available to.
Visit bwin Poker
Exclusive 100% up to $1600 Poker bonus + 2 Free tournament tickets when you make your first deposit
Visit Betsson
Exclusive 100% up to $500 Poker Bonus. Deposit and play for grand prices like Sony Vaio, PS3.
Visit Titan Poker
100% bonus up to 1.000$! VIP program and exclusive poker freerolls for new players.
Visit Betway
$600 in bonus with a minimum deposit of $20. Qualify for live tournaments like EPT and WSOPE.
Visit Betfair
100% bonus up to $400. If you like to go fishing, this is the site for you.
Visit PacificPoker
POKER NEWSLETTER
Get the latest poker news
Register for the PokerSense.com newsletter, and get the latest poker bonuses, news and other hot offers from the poker world straight to your mailbox.
|
