The Poker Corner

The World Poker Tour has set a high standard when it comes to poker shows. Recently, the Travel Channel aired a pilot program called The Poker Corner. It's a poker-analysis show that's designed to enlighten and educate the public about poker.

The Poker Corner is really quite an informative show. On it, poker experts discuss, analyze, and dissect the play of a WPT event. If you're interested in becoming a better poker player, this is a show that you do not want to miss.

I host the show. Appearing with me are three top poker pros who "tell all" when it comes to analyzing hands. They also provide insight and provocative thought about poker strategy and dispense poker tips for the viewer.

On the inaugural program, the poker experts were Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, and Annie Duke. As they say on the PGA Tour, "These guys are good." The show featured an analysis of the final table of the WPT Championship (won by Martin de Knijff). Hands were shown and then play was critiqued. The experts certainly didn't hold anything back when it came to giving an opinion on the play, and pointed out things that experienced players as well as amateurs may have missed.

This was the first in-depth poker analysis TV show in history. Due to the popularity of poker on TV, this type of program seems to be the next logical step for creating an even larger viewing audience. Serious poker players will love the show. The network's concern is, "Will the average viewer tune in for a one-hour, in-depth poker-analysis show?"

Unfortunately, the ratings weren't as high for the pilot show as the Travel Channel had hoped, but that was for good reason. Not only was it a rerun of a WPT event, more importantly, it was directly up against two major-league baseball playoff games, an NCAA football game, and the final presidential election debate. Phew! I don't think they could have picked a worse night to air the premiere episode of The Poker Corner.

While talking to a Travel Channel executive, I was informed that the show may be continued when season three airs, but only after initial airings of WPT events. In other words, the first time a WPT event airs, The Poker Corner will follow, if the network decides to continue with the program.

Chances are that everyone reading this column is a pretty devoted poker player. Naturally, it stands to reason that devoted poker players are pretty much going to love The Poker Corner. Just recognize that in TV land, ratings are everything. If a program like this doesn't create more viewers for the World Poker Tour shows, it likely won't last.

The public is much more knowledgeable about poker now than two years ago. The timing (season three) for more of The Poker Corner is right. If promoted properly, I believe The Poker Corner can be successful. You can help by going to the Travel Channel website (www.travelchannel.com), clicking on the "Contact Us" tab, and writing a note saying you would like to see more of The Poker Corner. You also could contact the World Poker Tour at www.worldpokertour.com and do the same thing.

Hopefully, we'll be back with more of the Corner next season. Thanks for watching.

Take care.

Mike Sexton is the host for PartyPoker.com and a commentator on the World Poker Tour, which can be seen every Wednesday on the Travel Channel.