Who's Watching Poker on TV?

It has certainly been an exciting year for poker. The World Poker Tour (WPT) on the Travel Channel has been the most successful poker show in television history. Plus, the World Series of Poker recently chalked up another record-shattering championship event that will be seen on ESPN. Poker is being embraced by the nation and is being watched by millions of people.

The success of the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel can be attributed to a number of things. First, and what I consider a must for poker to be successful on television, the viewers get to see the player's cards. This enables the viewer to get into the minds of the players, to follow their play, to agonize with them in their decision-making processes, and to second-guess their choices. It provides the three "E's" – excitement, entertainment, and education for the viewer.

Second, the quality of production of the WPT shows (two-hour programs) has far surpassed anything of the past in the poker world. Founders Steve Lipscomb and Lyle Berman deserve the thanks and praise of the entire poker industry. (With the exception of what they paid the commentators, they cut no costs in producing the World Poker Tour.) Thanks also go to the charter members of the WPT, without whom the WPT wouldn't have been possible.

The ratings were exceptional for the WPT in its inaugural season. The show was the highest-rated program on the Travel Channel, by far. It was estimated that five million people a week watched the WPT. And the strongest indicator to the television people that the show was successful was that the ratings were always the highest during the second hour. This means that when people were channel-surfing, they stopped when they found the World Poker Tour.

The World Poker Tour has a diverse audience. I get calls from poker players from all over the country who say, "My wife and friends aren't even poker players, but they love the WPT. They love it because they get it." I hear that the show is quite popular with Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes, and college fraternities. It seems everyone is watching the World Poker Tour.

Here is a true story that I found quite enjoyable: It was a Friday at the WSOP and I decided to have a cheeseburger at the snack bar prior to playing in the $1,500 limit hold'em shootout tournament. I sat down next to Beverly Kruskol, a lovely lady and a good poker player from L.A. She started our conversation by saying, "Hi," and then commented how much she enjoys the WPT. Then, she said, "Mike, you won't believe what just happened to me while I was driving over to the World Series this morning."

I asked her what happened and she said she was driving over from California and was stopped by the police. (We all know that feeling.) The officer walked up to the car and said, "You seem to be in a pretty big hurry. Are you?"

Beverly said, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. I'm on my way to play in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and my tournament starts at noon."

The officer asked, "You're a poker player?"

Beverly said, "Yes."

The officer then said, "I watch the World Poker Tour every week. I love that show."

Beverly responded, "Me, too. And I'm going to be on that show one day."

The policeman, getting back to the business at hand, asked, "Would you tell me with your best poker face exactly how fast you think you were going?"

Beverly scrunched up slightly and meekly said, "55?" (It doesn't appear that she was displaying too good a poker face.)

The officer said, "Well, you're not far off. I clocked you at 91 miles per hour." He continued, "Look, I know you're in a hurry to get to your poker tournament, but I have to write you up. However, I'll put you down for going only 10 miles per hour over the speed limit (so that it wouldn't cause big problems with her license). But, don't speed the rest of the way."

Beverly then said to him, "When you see me on the World Poker Tour, I want you to tell your friends that you gave me a speeding ticket."

The officer smiled and said, "I'll be glad to. Good luck on making the show."

You never know who's watching the World Poker Tour!

Take care.

Mike Sexton is the host of PartyPoker.com and a commentator for the World Poker Tour.