Poker is a Winner on the Travel Channel! Look for the World Poker Tour to Continue Next Season

With television broadcasts in full swing, the World Poker Tour has firmly established itself as a winner on the Travel Channel every Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon (check local listings for times). Given that the WPT has tripled its Wednesday prime time viewership and is the Travel Channel's highest-rated program, the Travel Channel has already expressed interest in airing the second season of the WPT. "The World Poker Tour has established its place in prime time television, and as long as we keep building an audience, poker will remain in prime time," stated Steve Lipscomb, CEO of the World Poker Tour. So, World Poker Tour fans, tell your friends to watch and make poker an even bigger sensation.

Due to the show's success, the Travel Channel has ordered two additional episodes to supplement the 13 tournament shows this season. A season recap show, featuring highlights from each tournament leading up to the finale, plus a tournament tutorial will air before the season-ending WPT Championship show in June.

Fans Speak Out

Fans across the country are glued to their television sets on Wednesday nights and have reported hosting WPT viewing parties with their poker buddies. Novices find the shows instructional, helping them to improve their games and giving them the confidence to walk into a casino to play. In addition, fans came from across the country to be a part of the full-capacity WPT Championship taping audience at Bellagio in Las Vegas. Here's a sampling of what people are saying:

"This poker show is just fantastic! I never dreamed I'd enjoy watching such a program. I am glued to the TV." – June S.

" … Way to freakin' go!" – R.S. Gray

"Instantly my favorite show." – Randy

"I just want to say, 'A tip of the hat' to the wonderful World Poker Tour on TV. Since my wife and I visit our local Indian casino often here in Oregon, I have always wanted to learn Texas hold'em, but was a little shy about getting my feet wet at the table. But after watching the WPT and the tons of information you give to us, it has given me confidence to go into the poker room and start to play … it really has been a great help to me!" – Larry P.

"There is nothing on TV I would rather watch. I've even got my wife interested." – Rick W.

"I gotta tell ya, guys … this show is the best thing to come down the pike in a long time. All the folks I play with at the casinos talk about your show, and everybody never goes out on Wednesday evenings anymore when your show is on. Keep up the good work." – Kay L.

"This show is great! The production is first-rate and so are the hosts." – Tod D.

"I'm enjoying the new series on the Travel Channel about the World Poker Tour. As a non-poker player, I find myself drawn into the drama and suspense of the game. Plus, I feel like I'm learning how to play a little poker myself. I love the hosts, especially Mike Sexton." – Shauna M.

The WPT has also received insightful suggestions to enhance the show for next season, and is compiling them for consideration when production starts again in July. You may continue to provide your feedback at www.worldpokertour.com.

World Poker Tour 2003-2004 Tournament Schedule

The 2003-2004 WPT tournament schedule will start with a tournament July 10-13 at the Aviation Club de France, followed by The Bicycle Casino's Legends of Poker tournament in August. Consult the casinos for details of each tournament.

Next year's tournament schedule includes most of the charter member casinos, plus a couple of new additions. The final schedule will be announced in May, providing plenty of time for interested parties to plan travel schedules.

Charter member casinos reported significant increases in their tournament participation even before the WPT aired on television. Given the added exposure from the television show, the WPT anticipates significant growth in attendance at 2003-2004 tournaments as a result of attracting more home and casino players as they become acquainted with tournament poker, thereby creating bigger prize pools.

Catch WPT action every week on the Travel Channel.