The Poker World is Going 'Prime Time'

The World Poker Tour (WPT), the mission of which is to promote championship tournament poker as a televised sport, is off and running – and I don't mean in a slow jog. It's off and running like Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, and Secretariat combined! And, there could be a pot of gold at the finish line.

The inaugural event of the televised WPT series, which begins airing next January, was the Five Diamond World Poker Classic at Bellagio in Las Vegas recently. For poker, it just doesn't get any better – a classic event in a classic setting that is filmed for television. Hats off to Doug Dalton (director of poker operations) and Jack McClelland (tournament director) for putting another jewel in the crown of tournament poker.

The field of 146 players in the Five Diamond Classic consisted of a "Who's Who of Poker." It was an understandably tough field, as nearly all of the competitors plunked down $10,000 out of their own pockets to play. The six finalists were Chris Bigler, Kaseem Deeb, Gus Hansen, John Hennigan, John Juanda, and former World Champion Scotty Nguyen. Remember that lineup. It will be the answer to a future trivia question: "Who were the finalists of the first WPT event?"

When the smoke cleared, youth prevailed. The top three finishers – Hansen, Juanda, and Hennigan – are 28, 30, and 32 years old, respectively. The champion, Gus Hansen from Copenhagen, Denmark, is an attacking player who plays lots of pots. He's also one of the best backgammon players in the world. He was the chip leader going to the final table, and never relinquished the lead. In capturing his title, "Gatling Gun Gus" picked up $556,480 in cash and a $25,000 paid entry into the WPT championship event which will be held at Bellagio next April. Well done, Gus!

The WPT (and Bellagio) didn't spare any expenses in its debut production. The set was elaborate and the production team was very professional. You would be amazed at how many people it takes to set things up and run a television program. As I was looking around the amazing set, I was thinking about the WPT, its potential, and how far poker has come over the years. I reflected back to the origin of the World Series of Poker. I couldn't help but smile when I thought, "If only Benny Binion could see us now." And the best is yet to come.

I'm thrilled to be a part of the WPT. I am one of the two commentators for the WPT, along with actor/former tennis pro/amateur poker player Vince Van Patten. The hostess of the show is Shana Hiatt, the soon-to-be Vanna White of poker. Shana is beautiful, charming, and personable. Viewers will love her. Even those who are not crazy about poker might tune in to see her every week. She is "the nuts."

WPT events will provide plenty of drama and excitement. They also will educate viewers about poker. Viewers will be able to see the hands, as minicameras will show the downcards of the players. I think the program will be hugely popular, and has the chance to become a megahit. Move over, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Survivor, the World Poker Tour is on the way!

The poker world has entered a new era. The vision of Steve Lipscomb, the CEO of the WPT, and Lyle Berman, whose Lakes Gaming company funded the WPT, has given us a product – the World Poker Tour – that could very well "wow" the world. And the entire poker industry will benefit from the success of the WPT. Who knows, poker players could even become movie stars.

Thank you to the WPT and its charter members (the Aviation Club de France, Bellagio, The Bicycle Casino, Casinos Europa in Costa Rica, Commerce Casino, Foxwoods, the Horseshoe and Gold Strike in Tunica, Mississippi, Lucky Chances, PartyPoker.com, the Reno Hilton, and UltimateBet.com) for "making it happen."

The poker world is going "prime time"! Take care.