September 7, 2010

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World Series of Poker Season Preview Show Tuesday, July 20 on ESPN

July 15, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

World Series of Poker Season Preview Show Tuesday, July 20 on ESPN

ESPN presents a special one-hour season preview show with memorable moments from last season and a look ahead to the 41st year of the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, Tuesday, July 20, at 8 p.m. ET.

Lon McEachern and Norman Chad return as co-hosts for the record 28 hours of Main Event coverage, and Chad goes in depth with 2009 winner Joe Cada, who at 21 became the youngest world champion, cashing in more than $8.5 million.

Other features in the preview show include:

  • McEachern will moderate four different roundtable discussions with the game’s best players, featuring a “Bracelet Race” analysis with 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth and 10-time bracelet winner Doyle Brunson. Past champions Dan Harrington, Scotty Nguyen, Chris Ferguson and Chris Moneymaker will also weigh in on how play has changed throughout the years.
  • The remarkable year of the Shulman family is reviewed, including Final table appearances by father and son, Barry in the World Series of Poker Europe and Jeff in the November Nine WSOP in Las Vegas.
  • Some of poker’s most impressive up-and-comers, Tom Dwan, Scott Seiver and Isaac Haxton, give their thoughts on age in poker and live versus online play.
  • Past bracelet winners Jennifer Harman, Daniel Negreanu and Erick Lindgren forecast the 2010 series.

Fans will also get a taste of the tournaments to watch beginning with the season-opening $50k Poker Players Championship on July 27, the Tournament of Champions on Aug. 3, and the Main Event Aug. 10-Nov. 9.

Some fun facts about World Series of Poker, by the numbers:

219,570,000­ – Number of chips in play during the Main Event

28,000 - Number of pounds of TV equipment used to produce the WSOP

7,319 - Number of entrants in the 2010 WSOP Main Event (second-largest live tournament ever)

117 - Number of different nations represented by participants in the 2010 WSOP

41 - Number of years the Main Event of the World Series of Poker has existed

40 – Number of HD cameras used by ESPN to televise the WSOP

28 - Number of Main Event hours that will air on ESPN in 2010 (a record)

Visit http://espnmediazone.com and click on the World Series of Poker digital media kit for the latest schedules, news, photos, video and audio clips, and more. Below is this year’s telecast schedule on ESPN.

Date Time (ET) Event Episode #
Jul 20 8 p.m. 2010 World Series of Poker Preview SPECIAL
Jul 27 8 p.m. $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship 1
Jul 27 9 p.m. $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship Final Table 2
Aug 3 8 p.m. WSOP 2010 Tournament of Champions 3
Aug 3 9 p.m. WSOP 2010 Tournament of Champions 4
Aug 10 8 p.m. Main Event 5
Aug 10 9 p.m. Main Event 6
Aug 17 8 p.m. Main Event 7
Aug 17 9 p.m. Main Event 8
Aug 24 8 p.m. Main Event 9
Aug 24 9 p.m. Main Event 10
Aug 31 9 p.m. Main Event 11
Aug 31 10 p.m. Main Event 12
Sep 7 9 p.m. Main Event 13
Sep 7 10 p.m. Main Event 14
Sep 14 9 p.m. Main Event 15
Sep 14 10 p.m. Main Event 16
Sep 21 9 p.m. Main Event 17
Sep 21 10 p.m. Main Event 18
Sep 28 9 p.m. Main Event 19
Sep 28 10 p.m. Main Event 20
Oct 5 9 p.m. Main Event 21
Oct 5 10 p.m. Main Event 22
Oct 12 9 p.m. Main Event 23
Oct 12 10 p.m. Main Event 24
Oct 19 9 p.m. Main Event 25
Oct 19 10 p.m. Main Event 26
Oct 26 9 p.m. Main Event 27
Oct 26 10 p.m. Main Event 28
Nov 2 9 p.m. Main Event 29
Nov 2 10 p.m. Main Event 30
Nov 9 9 p.m.-TBD Main Event Final Table 31

*TV Schedule Subject To Change

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Filed Under: ESPN, Poker

World Series of Poker Europe Returns to ESPN2 on January 31 with Caesars Cup

January 8, 2010 By admin
World Series of Poker Europe Returns to ESPN2 on January 31 with Caesars Cup
In just three years, The World Series of Poker Europe has become one of poker’s most prestigious tournaments. And for the second straight year, ESPN2 will provide comprehensive coverage from the famed Casino at the Empire in London, England.
After successful coverage in 2009, the telecast plans for 2010 include an additional two episodes.
Pride, bragging rights and the inaugural Caesars Cup are all up for grabs when the World Series of Poker Europe airs on ESPN2 beginning Sunday, Jan. 31, at 11 p.m. ET with back-to-back episodes.
Comprised of the biggest names in the game including Daniel Negreanu, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, Gus Hansen, Annette Obrestad, Peter Eastgate and Patrik Antonius, this unique event features Team Europe vs. Team Americas in a series of single and team matches.
Main Event action airs beginning Sunday, February 7, at 10 p.m. ET with all the above names and more as poker’s elite battle it out for the coveted WSOPE Main Event bracelet and the nearly $1.3 million first-place prize.
Lon McEachern and Norman Chad return to call the action.  They will be joined on each WSOP Europe telecast by sideline reporter and professional poker player Kara Scott. The complete ESPN2 schedule appears below.  All times are Eastern and subject to change.
Sun 1/31 11:00 PM
Mon 2/1 12:00 AM
Sun 2/7 10:00 PM
Sun 2/7 11:00 PM
Mon 2/8 12:00 AM
Sun 2/14 11:00 PM
Mon 2/15 12:00 AM
Mon 2/15 1:00 AM
Sun 2/28 9:00 PM
Sun 2/28 10:00 PM
Filed Under: ESPN, Poker

9/11 Hero Wins $1,000,000 on PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge

December 21, 2009 By admin

9/11 HERO WINS $1,000,000 ON POKERSTARS.NET MILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE

Season Finale of Most Watched Poker TV Show In U.S. History Airs on Sunday Dec. 27 on FOX;

Last Chance For Viewers To Enter $100,000 Giveaway

LOS ANGELES, December 22 – The PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge, already the most- watched poker program in U.S. television history, concludes its groundbreaking first season with an edge-of-your seat, uplifting episode that must be seen to be believed.

In a decade defined by the tragedies of September 11, 2001, PokerStars.net ends the year — and the decade — with a story that will leave viewers not sure if they should cry or cheer or do both at the same time, as Mike Kosowski, a 21-year NYPD veteran, 9/11 first responder and American hero, overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds to defeat poker star Daniel Negreanu heads up and win $1,000,000. (See Mike’s story at: http://bit.ly/4uZeEB)

PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge airs on Sunday, December 27 after NFL on FOX coverage (check local listings).*

Detective Sergeant Mike Kosowski, whose story is chronicled in the book “Never Forget: The Oral History of September 11,” was one of the first NYPD officers on the scene that terrible morning, rushing into the World Trade Center to help evacuate people.

From there, getting pelted with glass and debris, he hustled to World Financial Center, in hopes of helping make sure that building was clear. Inside, he found eight people trapped. Determined to bring them to safety, Kosowski was leading the group through a back exit when an explosion rippled through the area, launching Kosowski 10 feet through the air. He slammed into a wall. Though adrenaline kept him from feeling the full force of the pain, that impact herniated three discs in his neck, two in his back and left him with pain in his legs.

Kosowski spent the rest of the day, and the better part of the next few months, searching the debris at Ground Zero and on the Staten Island landfills for human remains. He was given the Medal of Valor for his actions that day.

These searches induced serious asthma and the combination of the herniated discs and the asthma led Kosowski to retire in 2004, after 21 years on the force. Retired, in pain and bored back home in Staten Island, Kosowski started playing poker and quickly found a new passion. While watching the 2007 World Series of Poker on TV, Mike and his wife Fran first saw Negreanu play.

Mike turned to his wife and said: “I’m going to play him some day and I’m going to beat him.” Fran laughed. Two weeks later, Mike had a dream that he beat Negreanu one-on-one. When he told his wife the next morning, Fran laughed again, dismissing his nonsense.

But the dream would become a reality. This fall, Kosowski saw a commercial announcing that PokerStars.net and FOX Sports teamed up to create a show that will give one player a chance to play Daniel Negreanu heads up for $1,000,000. Kosowski logged on to PokerStars.net, played in a specially designated free tournament and overcame huge odds to finish in the top 10 of 10,000 entrants.  He finished fourth.

Then another obstacle: the taping dates for the show are the weekend the Kosowskis were set to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Fran, who was laid off from her job in November, insisted he go to Los Angeles, even though producers told Mike he’d be an alternate and likely wouldn’t appear on the show.

Through a run of tremendous luck – none of the three contestants who played on the show before him that day were able to advance past the first round, giving Kosowski a shot to play on air, and great skill – Kosowski thoroughly outplayed both the contestants from his show and then the top winners from the series earlier episodes at two sit-n-go tables, the retired officer now had the chance of a lifetime. Kosowski took full advantage of the opportunity, earning his way into the one-on-one final and outplaying Negreanu, the four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner.

But Mike Kosowski won’t be the only big winner on Dec. 27. All season long, PokerStars.net has given viewers at home a chance to get in on the action with a $100,000 giveaway. $80,000 has already been paid out to show viewers with another $20,000 still up for grabs.  Tune into the show on Sunday, Dec. 27 to get the password and enter to win $20,000.

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Filed Under: FOX, Poker

World Series of Poker Finale Draws 2.1 Million Viewers on ESPN

November 12, 2009 By admin

World Series of Poker Finale Draws 2.1 Million Viewers on ESPN

With 21-year-old Joe Cada of Michigan setting a record as the youngest champion ever, more than 2.1 million viewers watched ESPN’s same-day coverage of the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, from Las Vegas on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The telecast earned a 1.8 household coverage rating in an average of 1,806,113 households, a slight decrease from the 1.9 rating earned for the 2008 finale.

ESPN’s 15-week schedule of World Series of Poker coverage in 2009 included 31 telecasts averaging a 1.0 rating, even with last year. However, averages for households (1,024,901) and viewership (1,228,008) increased nine and seven percent, respectively, from 2008, and the important Male 25-54 demographic saw a 13 percent jump from 2008.

It only took one year for the record for youngest winner to be broken. Denmark’s Peter Eastgate was 22 when he captured the 2008 crown.

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Filed Under: ESPN, Poker, Ratings

Same-Day Coverage Tuesday to Crown World Series of Poker Champion

November 4, 2009 By admin

Same-Day Coverage Tuesday to Crown World Series of Poker Champion

ESPN’s multiplatform coverage of the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky will culminate with same-day coverage on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 9 p.m. ET.

Lon McEachern and Norman Chad call all the action with an $8.5 million first-place prize awarded to the winner.

While Maryland logger Darvin Moon has the chip lead, much of the poker world’s focus has been on Phil Ivey. Even though he’s got a much shorter stack, the seven-time WSOP bracelet winner is considered by many to be the best player on the planet.

ESPN.com Presents Comprehensive Coverage of Poker’s Biggest Event

The November Nine reconvene at the final table on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 p.m. on ESPN, and ESPN.com will have a wide array of coverage from the World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky beginning Thursday, Nov. 5, until the $8.5 Million first prize is awarded.

Fans can expect daily Poker Edge podcasts and feature articles written by Gary Wise and Bernard Lee. The poker blog will recap all the action as it unfolds and ESPN’s new 30-minute digital poker show, ESPN Inside Deal presented by PokerStars.net, will offer a preview show on Friday, Nov. 6 with exclusive preview interviews and a recap with the winner on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Before the final table begins play, fans can also predict the action on ESPN.com with Poker Pick ‘Em, a game where players can answer 20 questions for a chance to win a trip to the Bahamas courtesy of PokerStars.net.

ESPN co-host Norman Chad comments on the November Nine

Darvin Moon: “Can a logger emerge out of the woods of western Maryland, strike gold in Sin City and then submerge himself back into the woods of western Maryland? If he wins, it’s the stuff of storybooks.”


Eric Buchman: “Not an intimidating table presence, but his reads and instincts are sharp and, with plenty of chips, the 30-year-old New York pro won’t do anything outlandish to lose them.”


Steve Begleiter: “From his final days at Bear Stearns to the final table here, it’s been an odyssey for the 47-year-old amateur. He might have more gamble in him than anyone left – he won’t shy away from mixing it up.”


Jeff Shulman: “Until now, the Card Player magazine publisher has avoided big pots and played stay-out-of-harm’s-way poker. He likely will continue to avoid the big misstep – unless he’s already made one hiring Phil Hellmuth as his coach.”


Joe Cada: “At 21, he could become youngest Main Event champion ever. He’s even-keeled and selectively aggressive – sort of like last year’s youngest Main Event champ ever, Peter Eastgate.”


Antoine Saout: “He’s an engineering school dropout who only took up poker seriously a couple of years ago and now – in his first World Series of Poker ever – can become the first Frenchman to win the Main Event. Only in America.”


Phil Ivey: “He’s Phil Ivey. Next case. Can the game’s greatest player navigate a field of 6,494 to win the game’s greatest event? Yes. He’s Phil Ivey — short of stack but long on skill, and in his prime.”


Kevin Schaffel: “At first glance – at age 51, the oldest player left – the affable amateur is outclassed by this group. But then how do you explain that this is the third time in six years he’s cashed in massive Main Event fields?”


James Akenhead: “He hopes to be the first Brit to win it all. The good news for him is that he’s level-headed; the bad news is that he’s short-stacked. He’ll need some luck early for any chance to be around late.”

Filed Under: ESPN, Poker

Priest Wins $100,000 on PokerStars

October 13, 2009 By admin

POKER PLAYING PRIEST WINS $100,000,

SEAT AT $1,000,000 QUALIFYING TABLE

Father Andrew Trapp Becomes First Big Winner On

PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge Airing on FOX

Go To PokerStars.Net To Win Seat On Hit Poker Game Show

LOS ANGELES (Monday, Oct. 12) – PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge, the hottest new poker game show on television, left audiences stunned on Sunday when South Carolina priest Father Andrew Trapp knocked off NBA Champion John Salley, Team PokerStars.net Pro Vanessa Rousso and Team PokerStars.net Pro and four-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu to win $100,000 and a chance to come back in December for a crack at the $1,000,000 grand prize.

Known as “Father Rambo” for his passionate paintball play, the poker priest pulled out all the stops, at one point holding rosary beads while in a big hand against Salley.  Then after dispensing of the former Detroit Pistons Bad Boy, Trapp then shocked Rousso, before taking home the six-figure prize when poker star Negreanu misread the strength of Trapp’s cards.

Trapp immediately donated all of his winnings to the St. Michael’s Church in Garden City, SC, where he serves as associate pastor. His goal is to win the million dollar grand prize to help St. Michael’s build a new church, which is currently $1.5 million dollars short of its goal. (See Trapp’s entry video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcY2nVsO4EI; footage of Trapp’s $100,000 victory can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_gK2Z0SiOM).

The second episode of PokerStars.Net Million Dollar Challenge airs on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4:30 ET/1:30 PT after NFL on FOX coverage.* Tune in as more online qualifiers from around the U.S. take aim at $1,000,000.

To qualify for the show, go to PokerStars.net and enter specially-designated free tournaments. Then submit a two-minute youtube.com video showcasing why you’d be a great contestant. Then you’re just four short steps away from winning $1,000,000:

  • Step 1: Take on a celebrity defender such as reigning Playboy Playmate of the Year Jayde Nicole, Super Bowl Champion, four-time NBA champion John Salley, six-time Pro Bowl selection Jerome “The Bus” Bettis or MMA champion Tito Ortiz.
  • Step 2: Face a top Team PokerStars.Net Pro 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Chris Moneymaker, three-time WSOP bracelet winner Barry Greenstein, rising poker star and newest Go Daddy girl, Vanessa “Lady Maverick” Rousso
  • Steps 3 and 4: Win back-to-back heads up matches against four-time WSOP bracelet winner Negreanu.

Hosted by FOX Sports announcer Chris Rose, there are four more episodes left, airing Sundays after NFL on FOX coverage* on October 18, November 22, December 13 and concluding with the heads up finale against Negreanu for $1,000,000 on December 27.

Plus, the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge offers viewers at home a chance to enter a freeroll tournament on PokerStars.net as part of the PokerStars.net $100,000 giveaway. Twice during each show, PokerStars.net will announce a special contest that will give viewers a chance to win easy money.**

*Check local listings. PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge will air before NFL action in some markets.

**Go to Pokerstars.net for a full list of contest rules and qualifications.

About PokerStars.net:

PokerStars.net is the world’s largest online poker school with over 26 million members worldwide. It’s the premier destination for the world’s top players – with numerous tournaments running every day. PokerStars.net is renowned for offering the best software and security in the online poker world.  PokerStars.net:

  • Has dealt over 32 billion hands
  • Has run more than 190 million poker tournaments
  • Holds the Guinness Book of World Records for ‘Largest Online Poker Tournament’ and ‘Most Players at an Internet Poker Room’

PokerStars.net is the official sponsor of the European Poker Tour, PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure, Latin American Poker Tour, Asia Pacific Poker Tour and The World Cup of Poker. PokerStars.net is the home of Team PokerStars.net Pro, a group of over 30 veteran and up-and-coming players from around the world who play online at PokerStars.net and are sponsored by the site in international tournaments around the world. For more information please visit www.pokerstars.net.

Filed Under: FOX, Poker

Online Qualifiers Face Brutal Line-up of Challengers in the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge on FOX

October 1, 2009 By admin

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION JEROME BETTIS, MMA CHAMPION TITO ORTIZ,

PLAYMATE OF THE YEAR JAYDE NICOLE AND

POKER STAR DANIEL NEGREANU STAND IN THE WAY OF YOUR $1,000,000

Online Qualifiers Face Brutal Line-up of Challengers as They Play Poker’s Hottest TV Game Show, the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge on FOX

LOS ANGELES, OCT. 1, 2009 – You won a free tournament on Pokerstars.net, defeating thousands of challengers. You submitted your entry video to PokerStars.net, hoping to edge out the hundreds of other tournament winners to earn your spot on national television and a shot at $1,000,000. Your reward? A chance to take on a team made-up of celebrities and the best poker pros in the world who are all determined to stop your quest. Beat them and your challenge is just beginning — you then have to defeat poker superstar Daniel “Kid Poker” Negreanu not once, but twice. Do that and take home a million dollars.

Welcome to the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge, the hottest poker game show on television. Debuting on Sunday, October 11th directly after NFL on FOX coverage,* the series gives online qualifiers a chance at a seven-figure payday.

Players who win specially designated online tournaments at PokerStars.net will submit a 60-second video for the chance to be a contestant on the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge. Each person selected will receive roundtrip airfare and accommodations to the show’s taping in Los Angeles for themselves and two friends.

The Game

Players will face a four-level gauntlet of heads up matches, win and advance. Lose and go home:

· Round 1: Take on a celebrity defender such as reigning Playboy Playmate of the Year Jayde Nicole, Super Bowl Champion, six-time Pro Bowl selection Jerome “The Bus” Bettis or MMA champion Tito Ortiz.

· Round 2: Face a top Team PokerStars.Net Pro 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion Chris Moneymaker, three-time WSOP bracelet winner Barry Greenstein, rising poker star and newest Go Daddy girl, Vanessa “Lady Maverick” Rousso

· Round 3 and Round 4: Winning the million dollars won’t be easy – back-to-back heads up matches against four-time WSOP bracelet winner Negreanu.

Getting past the first two defenders is a tough task, but the challenger will have help. For each of the first two rounds, Negreanu will serve as a coach, discussing hands and offering advice, first sitting at the table beside the challenger in the celebrity heads up match, then moving into a specially-designed isolation booth when the challenger takes on the Team PokerStars.net Pro.  For every level Negreanu helps the challenger win, PokerStars.net will donate $10,000 to a charity of Negreanu’s choice.

The prizes for each victory

· Round 1: A trip to the Bahamas for the PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure

· Round 2: $25,000. Take the money and walk or risk it against Negreanu for a chance to win $100,000.

· Round 3: $100,000. The money is yours and you earn a seat at the final show’s Table of Champions, where one player will have a chance to play Daniel heads up for $1,000,000.

· Round 4: A life-changing $1,000,000.

If the celebrity defender beats the challenger, they earn $5,000 for their favorite charity. If the Team PokerStars.net Pro beats the challenger, they will earn $10,000 for their favorite charity.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this show. I love the concept and I know that it will be packed with great poker and all the bells and whistles, hip graphics and drama that FOX is known for,” said Negreanu.

The five-episode series airs Sundays after NFL on FOX* on October 11th and 18th, continuing on November 22nd and December 13th and concluding with the heads up finale against Negreanu for $1,000,000 on December 27th.

Plus, the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge wouldn’t be complete without something for poker fans at home.  Viewers will have a chance to enter a freeroll tournament on PokerStars.net as part of the PokerStars.net $100,000 giveaway. Twice during each show, PokerStars.net will announce a special contest that will give viewers a chance to win easy money.**

Veteran FOX Sports announcer Chris Rose hosts the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge. The former host of FSN’s Best Damn Sports Show Period, who also handles NFL on FOX and MLB on FOX coverage, Rose has an extensive poker background, having served as host for three seasons of FSN’s Poker Superstars Invitational as well as the network’s Poker at the Plaza tournament.

Don’t miss all the action and your chance at the PokerStars.net viewer giveaway. Tune in on October 11th after the NFL on FOX to become a part of the PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge and see who not only walks away with a million dollars, but beats one of the greatest poker players in the world.

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*Check local listings. PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge will air before NFL action in some markets.

**Go to Pokerstars.net for a full list of contest rules and qualifications.

Filed Under: FOX, Poker

ESPN, World Series Of Poker® Extend Relationship With Seven-Year Agreement

August 18, 2009 By admin

ESPN, WORLD SERIES OF POKER® EXTEND RELATIONSHIP WITH SEVEN-YEAR AGREEMENT

ESPN and Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment today announced they have reached a new seven-year agreement that will keep the World Series of Poker (WSOP) airing on ESPN through April 2018.

The WSOP, the world’s richest sporting event and longest running poker tournament, attracts a total audience of nearly 82 million U.S. viewers each year.   ESPN has broadcast WSOP events every year since 2003 and was operating under an agreement set to expire after the 2010 WSOP.

Under the terms of the new deal, ESPN will telecast a minimum of 32 hours of event coverage from the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas annually, including WSOP gold bracelet events and the “November Nine” Championship.

“The WSOP is proud to call ESPN home for another nine years,” said Jeffrey Pollack, President of Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment and the World Series of Poker. “This long-term agreement ensures that our content will continue to reach sports fans around the world through a wide variety of platforms.”

WSOP content will appear on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPN Classic, ESPN.com, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV and ESPN International platforms outside of the United States.

“We are very excited to continue our relationship with Harrah’s to deliver the largest, richest, and most prestigious gaming event in the world to fans across a variety of our platforms,” said Doug White, senior director of programming and acquisitions, ESPN.  “Poker continues to be a solid ratings performer for us and allows us to continue offering diverse programming to our viewers.“

ESPN’s coverage of the 40th Annual World Series of Poker Presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky airs every Tuesday night on ESPN.  Norman Chad and Lon McEachern call the action.  Tonight at 8 PM ET, coverage of the game’s richest tournament, the No Limit Hold’em Main Event begins as 6,494 players compete for $61 million in prize money with the winner walking away with $8.5 million – more than the U.S. Open golf, U.S. Open tennis, Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 winners received combined this year.  Main Event coverage continues each Tuesday through November 10.

About the World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world awarding more than $1 billion in prize money over its 40-year history and the prestigious WSOP gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport’s top prize. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker’s longest running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970. In 2009, the event attracted a record-setting 60,875 entrants from 115 different countries to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, and awarded more than $174 million in prize money. The WSOP in December 2008 was named the 7th most admired sports brand in North America by the Turnkey Sports Survey, trailing only the older and more established NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and PGA Tour among sports properties. The WSOP has crafted groundbreaking alliances in broadcasting, digital media and corporate sponsorships since 2005, while successfully expanding the brand internationally with the advent in 2007 of the World Series of Poker EuropeSM.  For more information on the WSOP, please visit our website at www.wsop.com or follow us on Twitter at #WSOP.

Click here for the schedules, images and other news material in support of ESPN’s coverage of the 40th World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky.

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Filed Under: ESPN, Poker

World Series of Poker Returns to ESPN July 28

July 21, 2009 By admin

World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky Returns to ESPN on July 28

Tuesday Night is Poker Night

The 2009 competition marks the 40th Annual World Series of Poker – the longest running and richest poker tournament in the world.

ESPN’s season long coverage begins Tuesday, July 28, at 8 p.m. ET with special $40,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament.

The star-studded field of 201 entrants combined to create the biggest non-Main Event prize pool in World Series history, a staggering $7.7 million with nearly a $1.9 million winner’s share.

Coverage begins with the final table featuring 2004 Main Event Champion Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, 5-time bracelet winner Ted Forrest, and a cast of young up and coming players.

“This one hour show is the proper beginning to what promises to be an exciting season of poker,” said Jamie Horowitz, ESPN coordinating producer.  “There will be history-making moments, record-setting prize pools, and poker drama that only the WSOP can offer.”

ESPN’s coverage of the 2009 World Series of Poker from the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas will air every Tuesday from July 28 through Nov. 10. Norman Chad and Lon McEachern return to call all the action.

Click here for the schedules, images and other news material in support of ESPN’s coverage of the 40th World Series of Poker, presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky.

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Filed Under: ESPN, Poker

World Series Of Poker Europe Debuts Sunday, Feb. 1 On ESPN

January 27, 2009 By admin

WORLD SERIES OF POKER EUROPE DEBUTS SUNDAY, FEB. 1 ON ESPN

ESPN’s first ever coverage of the World Series of Poker Europe will begin on Sunday, Feb.  1 with the first four episodes beginning at 6 p.m. ET, followed by an encore presentation of episodes 1 and 2 on ESPN2 at 10 p.m., co-hosted by Lon McEachern and Norman Chad.

This world title event drew 362 renowned poker players to the Casino at the Empire in the heart of London. Widely considered to be one of the toughest starting fields ever assembled, pros from all over the world traveled to England for a chance to win poker’s most coveted piece of jewelry – a World Series of Poker bracelet and a first place check for more than $1.5 million.

In Episode 1 at 6 p.m., the fireworks begin early as American pros Phil Ivey and Mike Matusow are seated at the featured table. Others in action include former Main Event Champions Phil Hellmuth, Joe Hachem and Australian amateur Shane Warne, a retired cricket player who has been called the Michael Jordan of that sport.

In Episode 2 at 7 p.m., defending WSOP Europe Main Event Champion Annette Obrestad begins her quest to repeat. The Norwegian star became the youngest-ever to win the title a year ago, and now finds herself across the felt covered feature table from some of the best pros in the world, including Antonio Esfandiari and Phil Laak. Former Main Event champions Doyle Brunson and Chris Ferguson are also in action.

A stacked starting field at the WSOPE – Main Event played down to 179 players as a number of big names left London empty-handed including Phil Ivey, Patrik Antonius, and Howard Lederer, but many others remained..

Episode 3 at 8 p.m. begins with phenom Justin “Boosted J” Smith atop of the day two leader board, and challenged by Daniel “Kid Poker” Negreanu – one of poker’s most recognizable stars.  Negreanu heads a featured table with Phil Laak and newcomer Jamie Rosen, who at the time was 3rd in chips, just behind Negreanu.  At the end of the night, only 62 players will remain in the hunt for one of poker’s ultimate prizes.

Episode 4 at 9 p.m. will chronicle day 3 as the money bubble bursts.  Finish in 37th place and get nothing but a wish for safe travels home; finish 36th and collect nearly $50,000.  That bubble will weigh heavily on the players as another grueling day awaits.  Daniel Negreanu again gets the spotlight at the featured table.  This time, England’s David “Devilfish” Ulliott and Vicky Coren join him, along American high stakes pro Phil Laak.  Andy Bloch starts the day as chip leader as he tries to move closer to winning his first World Series of Poker bracelet.  Plenty of big names will try to stop him, including Mike “The Mouth” Matusow.  Also in action are emerging pros Chris Moorman and Chris Elliott, a Scotsman playing in his very first live tournament.

The ESPN2 air dates listed below:  (ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN)
2/1
10pm    Episode #1
11pm    Episode #2

2/8
10pm    Episode #3
11pm    Episode #4

2/15
10pm    Episode #5
11pm    Episode #6

3/1
10pm    Episode #7
11pm    Episode #8

Filed Under: ESPN, Poker
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