With ESPN Day 2 Coverage WSOP ranking

Earlier this year, ESPN had to face condemnation from the supporters of poker for not televising $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. championship by the network at World Series of Poker 2009. The officials of ESPN after time period of ten episodes and five weeks said that they are quite satisfied with the conclusions. But next year they are also interested in getting H.O.R.S.E. back. Senior director of programming and purchasing Mr. Doug said that they are very pleased with the ratings and they are on average as compared to the previous year. He said that they are making the right moves in the right direction.

From the ten episodes, an average rating of .75 has been attained by WSOP 2009 and this has increased by three percent by last year’s .73. With more viewers are getting drawn from the coverage, some credit should also be given to ESPN. Doug said that the beginning events telecast by ESPN like $40,000 no-limit hold’em event Ante Up for Africa, and Champions Invitational have made the ratings but they are a little as compared to the previous year.

Last year ESPN telecasted the coverage of $1,000 rebuy tournament, two $1,500 hold’em events, $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. championship and $10,000 pot-limit hold’em world championship prior to starting the coverage of the main event. Doug said that they don’t want to be stationary and to repeat the events of last year. But many supporters of poker wanted that ESPN should have covered $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. tournament like they did before. Doug was of the view that they could clearly see the condemnation but he didn’t exclude the featuring of H.O.R.S.E. in 2010.

Seth Palansky who is the Communications Director of WSOP said that if the viewers are interested in seeing $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event then Players Advisory Council might have to allow the final table to be played like no-limit hold’em. Doug will not be going to that extent where they have to tell the card player that the event might make a comeback in 2010 at ESPN. Along with all new events like $40,000 no-limit hold’em and Champions Invitational which will be honoring WSOP, ESPN want to demonstrate new aspects regarding coverage. It not assured that these events will be making in 2010, ESPN probably will be looking for new prospects.

Doug said that he will be having a discussion regarding the coverage along with Harrah after the completion of final table of November. He said that he is satisfied with the ratings but he didn’t want to jump on any conclusion regarding what they really mean. He said that they consider the complete season.

World Poker Tour won by Prahlad Friedman

It was on August 26th that all the poker lovers were gathered at Bicycle Casino. The Legends of Poker was at its peak and finally 2009 champion Prahlad Friedman was awarded $1,009,000 as first prize. With a month which was full of tournaments consisting of Legends of Poker which is the main tournament for Bicycle Casino was started on August 22nd along with the 279 players. The prize was worth $2,625,500. Days of poker participated at its topmost level showed the way to the countdown to the final table where two WSOP 2009 November Nine players- Kevin Schaffel and Steven Begleiter remained.

But soon Steven went out and only Kevin was left to try for the Legends title. The players for the final table collected on August 26th with large number of audience and the tournament will be telecasted on Fox Sports later. After hours of the game play saw Kevin playing with Prahlad where he overcame and won the title of World Poker Tour. He also won prize money of $1,009,000 and Kevin get to win $471,670.

With the enthusiasm for Legends of Poker 2009 is decreasing, the players still have a weekend for participating in Bankroll Rebuilder and Player Appreciation major stack tournaments along with assured thousands of dollars. The players will be having a chance of playing at newly built Bicycle Casino’s Event Center which is a refashioned space and which have gathered appreciation from all Legends players for the all new look.

Poker Operation’s Eveliene Dullhart and Zaven Esmaili initiated many new changes in order to host a superior market along with the staff members and the players. Their joint effort has been successful till now. Kelley O’Hara who is the Marketing Director said that Legends of Poker of this year was quite eventful mainly with the opportunity of hosting events in their new Even Center. The WPT Main Event was quite exciting and it was more exciting to present Prahlad $1 million as the winner of the tournament. CEO Hashem Minaiy and Managing Partner Haig Kelegian shared that they are quite happy with this months’ turnout. They are of the view that all the players should feel at home while playing at Bicycle Casino.

Phil Ivey is untraceable

The organizers of World Series of Poker are looking the whereabouts of Phil Ivey. They are looking for Phil and he is a well-known poker professional. It has been found that all the nine players who have managed to make it to the final table of WSOP Main Event, they all are unfamiliar. It seems that till the time someone wins the Main Event and gains the fame, no one is actually concerned about it. This is the reason that the organizers were quite happy that someone who is famous poker player and would draw more people to the Main Event 2009.

While playing offline tournament poker in his career, he has already earned $9.6 million and he is amongst the ten players who have earned a minimum of nine million dollars. He has also earned millions in offline and online cash games. Every media group wants to interview the intelligent and handsome Phil. The famous talk shows on television like- Larry King, The Today Show, Letterman, The Tonight Show, and Oprah Winfrey Show they all want him on their respective shows. If it happened then it would definitely help in getting WSOP Main Event popularity.

But it has not happened yet but on the other hand Phil is shy and stayed away from publicity. He has also not featured in any of the major American televison talk shows and not even in the small shows. Increasing the distress of the organizers of WSOP he is a restrained and shy type of person and make every effort to avoid any media attention.

From the public relations point of view it has been a total disaster. Having one of the world’s best poker players and the most successful pro in World Series of Poker Main Event final table didn’t helped at all.

Organizers are confident about WSOP 2009

Only few weeks are left for the most esteemed tournament across the world- World Series of Poker. The organizers are quite certain that the economic slump will not have any affect on the event. Though, the event’s commissioner was of the view that this event won’t be overtaking the records in terms of the prize amount and the entry numbers. However the organizers will be making sure that everyone who attends the event will have the time of their lives and will have a good time.

The event has so much to offer and the organizers are pretty confident that the players will be pleased with new features which comprises of cash games, enhanced satellite competition, low buy-in games, and extra tables for the satellite play etc. The main casino which is responsible for hosting the six-week event will provide incentives like economic low room rates for the participants of World Series of Poker.

The 40th annual World Series of Poker started on 26th May and $40,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event will be drawing more professional players. After the two days the tournament will be hosting $1,000 buy-in No-Limit event which probably will be drawing around six thousand players.

On May 31st there will be an exclusive two-day champion invitational will take place which will be played by 27 World Series of Poker world champions. These players will be playing No-Limit Hold’em event. The winning prize for the freeroll event is a 1970 red Corvette along with a Binion’s Cup. Everyone has a chance of reaching there, just visit Vegas and win Poker packages worth $194,000.

PokerStars signs another Poker pro - Joe Cada

PokerStars has signed Joe Cada which is announced by Top Set Player Management (Cada’s agent). He is a 21-years old player hailing from Shelby Township, Michigan. He commented that he is quite pleased to be associated with PokerStars and he added that they are a famous and reputed name in the poker community. He will make sure that he can bring honor to their name.

Joe wore patches of Ultimate Bet when the final table was place d and at present he is positioned at fifth position along with the chips worth 13.2 million. If he wins Main Event 2009 then he would exceed the winner of year 2008 and expert of Team PokerStars Peter Eastgate. If he wins then he will become the youngest player to win World Series of Poker Main Event.

Last week Joe played at World Poker Tour and in one of the interviews given to a website, he said that he is planning to play WSOPE and EPT Barcelona prior to going to the Main Event. He said that he will be carrying on playing and will also attend different tournaments in order to stay focused. Other November Nine players such as Eric Buchman who is second in chips and Kevin Schaffel who is sixth in chips will also be representing PokerStars at the final table.

Scotty Nguyen makes a return

Scotty ended up at eleventh position at $10k Stud for $33k and he only added small amount to career earnings of $10,705,581. But Scotty following his featuring at World Poker Tour Legends of Poker said that people make a comeback after getting retired. He was well short of his aim which was reaching $4 million mark.

Scotty who is a famous name in the poker community and last week he made a comeback at World Poker Tour Legends of Poker. He cackled and said that the people make a return after getting retired. He added since World Series, World Poker Tour Legends of Poker is his first tournament as comeback.

At all time World Series of Poker money listing Scotty is positioned at 12th position along with $4,727,717. He attained this position by cashes at 37 Word Series of Poker and he really believes that 2009 Series has proved less triumphant.

In his mind he just kept on thinking that he had had to reach to $4 million. He said that when you are doing something important then there is an extra amount of pressure on you, which should be avoided. The game of poker cannot be played if you are in some form of pressure. At World Poker Tour, Scotty had a prop bet along with Mike Matusow. Having 3:1 on $5,000 Scotty made efforts in bringing together tournament income of three million dollars over the time of next three years.

Along with a win at L.A. Poker Classic’s $9,900 H.O.R.S.E. 2009 event and he also finished at sixth position at $25k World Poke Tour Championship up to now he has earned $700k in 2009 and looks like improving his bet. Scotty didn’t make to its target of $4 million but that didn’t lose his self-confidence. He said that if you ask me once again, I will tell you the same again. He added that prior to the World Series if you question me how much I am going to win then my reply would be $4 million. I won’t be telling that I will be facing a defeat. Scotty was pushed out of action on Day 3 of WPT Legends of Poker.

Darvin Moon declines poker sponsorship

Most of the poker players across the world dream of getting contract of sponsorship but Davin Moon are unlike those players. Darvin who is an American have declined poker sponsorship and he is an exception for sure. Despite of his standing he is not supporting any logo for any online poker room on his clothing but on the other hand other players do.

Darvin is included in the final nine players of the World Series of Poker 2009 at Las Vegas to be held in the month of November. He is the chip leader of World Series of Poker Main Event 2009 and there is no doubt that he is a favorite contender of many for winning the big title.

The collection of the marks on the clothing of Darvin would be permitting him for funding contribution in the major tournaments. This type of provision no body wants to leave but on the other hand it also shows the character of Darvin. He is an American citizen and he has learnt playing poker from his grandfather at the age of 12 years old. He made a beginning with Seven Card Stud and he has also played in Texas Hold’em but only for a time period of three years.

Darvin is around 45 years old and he entered the Main Event of the World Series of Poker through a satellite live in a remote casino in Viginia. It was advised by his closed ones that he should use his talent and ability at World Series of Poker. After getting selected for the final table of World Series of Poker he again rushed back to join his job. Probably the 40th World Series of Poker’ annual edition will be pleasing us with a world champ who wears New Orleans’ America football team cap.

Betting worth $20.000 for WSOP Main Event 2009

It has been declared by Betfair that more than $20.000 has been placed for the World Series of Poker 2009 Main Event. And more than half of this amount is on Phil Ivey for winning his premier Main Event bracelet.

Darvin Moon is the also amongst the potential players who is right now paying the odds 4.3. Ivey will be commencing the final table along with just a sixth of Moon’s chip stack and he is also one of the potential players for winning along with the odds 7.4.

At the final table, James Akenhad has the minimum stacks along with seven million in chips. More and more people are betting on James as compared to another player with minimum stacks Frenchman Antoine Saout. The latest prices for World Series of Poker 2009 can be checked on betfair.com.

Betfair is basically UK based and they don’t accept America clients so if you are interested in making bet on World Series of Poker 2009 then one must make a visit to American bookmaker like playersonly.com and bodog.com.

Vanessa Rousso getting ready for upcoming Poker tournament

There has been no question that after World Series of Poker 2009, Vanessa Rousso has been quite eventful. She will be taking part in her forthcoming event Big Slick Boot Camp’s “The Art of Poker - An Intro to Game Theory & Intermediate Poker Tournament Strategy” which is scheduled to take place on September 11th at Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississipi. More information is provided on Biloxi about the game which is now deemed as sport and one can make the cut for Vanessa’s teaching. More updated information is provided on BigSlickBootCamp.com.

When Vanessa was asked about what was her experience at this year’s WSOP on the whole, for which she said that for her this year has been the best year. She got the chance of earning 120k and in 18 events she has four cashes. She was asked about that whether she wanted any change, but she said that this year has been the best for me and all the good things happened to me collectively.

Vanessa was asked about the number of events she played and about any unforgettable event that she had. She replied that she took part in 18 events and her unforgettable moment was when the same player knocked her out of the two different occasions. She was asked about more participation of unidentified players as compared to the familiar players in WSOP final nine players and Phil Ivey being the strongest contender. Is there any favorite player, for which she said that frankly she is not aware of the final nine players of World Series of Poker.

She was asked that is there any Big Slick Boot Camp booth at WSOP and what is happening with the camp. Vanessa replied that this year there were no booths at WSOP and there is a camp organized on September 11th at Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi for which the cost for the day is $499. They are coming off different events which took place across Florida in the month of March and April. She added that she also provides personal lessons along with the camps and if anybody is interested they can sign up at http://www.bigslickbootcamp.com/Big_Slick_Boot_Camp/Schedule_Sign-Up.html.

Vanessa was asked about what she is doing lately and what are her future plans, she said that she is going to Paris for post-production where she is a host for The Stars of Poker which will be aired in both in France and Canal. And when this is finished, she will be taking part in WPT at Slovakia and for EPT at Barcelona. She informed that she took her family for a vacation to Mediterranean cruise in the month of August and she had loads of fun. She has also planned some days for enjoying free time when she travels for poker, so she has made necessary day arrangements.

WSOP extended the contract with ESPN

Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment Inc (proprietor of WSOP) and ESPN (cable television which is committed towards relaying and the production of sports programs) have signed a deal for extending their existing deal by a period of seven years. The deal will commence in 2011 when the older deal gets over. But the economic terms and conditions were not revealed by both the groups. As per the new contract every year ESPN will be telecasting and producing at least 31 hours of event reporting of World Series of Poker which will take place in Las Vegas.

This also comprises of different WSOP golden bracelet events and November Nice Main Event Final Table. Jeffrey Pollack who is President of Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment and World Series of Poker made a comment that World Series of Poker is quite happy to be associated with ESPN. They said that they will be making sure that the content reaches the sports lovers across the world. The content of WSOP can be accessible through numerous platforms comprising of ESPN.com, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobil TV, ESPN Classic, along with ESPN International outlets outside America.

Doug White who is the senior director of programming and acquisitions of ESPN said that they are very pleased to expand their association along with Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment for providing biggest, lucrative, and most esteemed event across the world. Poker has been very beneficial in providing decent ratings and provided them to carry on contributing different programming for their viewers.

Since the year 2003, ESPN is in the business of telecasting WSOP events and they were functional under the contract which was to expire when the 2010 WSOP gets over. The coverage by ESPN for 40th Annual World Series of Poker Presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky is broadcasted every Tuesday night. The coverage for the Main Event is constantly done on every Tuesday through November 10 whilst the nine players make a come back to Las Vegas to decide this year’s champion.