Commentating on the World Poker Tour

The inaugural season of the World Poker Tour has come to an end and season two is now under way. The WPT has been a milestone in bringing tournament poker to "prime time" television. As you know (or I hope you do), Vince Van Patten and I are the commentators on the World Poker Tour. Throughout my "rookie" season, I was asked a number of questions about this experience. Allow me to share some of them with you.

Question: Did you have any broadcasting experience prior to the WPT?

Answer: I have never had any formal training or taken any classes in broadcasting – but I would like to. (I wasn't even in a high school play.) I did, however, have some previous experience commentating at poker's Tournament of Champions.

The 2001 TOC was filmed by Steve Lipscomb (co-founder and producer of the WPT), and was broadcast "live" worldwide on the Internet. Wendeen Eolis and I were asked to do the commentating for that event. She and I chatted away, offered our expertise on the play of the hands, interviewed lots of poker players, and really had a ball. When it was over, Lipscomb remarked to me, "Mike, that was the best job of commentating I've ever seen on a poker show. You're a natural. Nice job." (Lucky for me, he didn't see the World Series of Poker for which Chip Reese did the commentating.)

Q: How did you get the job?

A: When Lipscomb created the WPT, he asked me if I would like to be one of the hosts and the show's "poker expert." Before I could say, "I'd love to," he added, "There is a downside. You won't be able to play in any WPT events if you take the job, because we want consistency with our announcers on every show."

Well, you can't have everything. I've played thousands of poker tournaments in my day, so I didn't think missing those would bother me that much; plus, I relished being a part of this new venture. I felt confident in my ability to bring some good insight to viewers as to what poker players think while playing a hand, and I believed I knew tournament poker and the players as well as anyone. I also thought taking this job would benefit PartyPoker.com, where I am a host. And, honestly, I thought it would be pretty cool to be on TV every week. So, I took the job!

Q: Since you cannot see the cards during play, is all of your commentating done after the tournament is over?

A: No. The hands you see on TV when you get a peek at the cards during the play of the hand are what we comment on back in the studio. (You would be amazed at the work and effort that goes into the post-production of these shows.) However, while at the event, we are continually talking during the tournament, and a good deal of that commentary and footage is used in the program (especially during hands in which players are all in and their cards become exposed for all to see).

Q: Do you have writers who provide a script for you?

A: We do not. Everything you hear on TV (the good and not so good) comes directly from Vince and me. Prior to each show, we receive our pre-game pep talk from Lipscomb: "Enjoy each other. Just think of being in your living room (along with America). Have fun and do your thing." He concludes by saying, "You guys are the best. Let's have a great show." He helps us relax, boosts our confidence, and gets us fired up for the show. He's the Vince Lombardi of poker shows.

Q: What's the toughest part of the job?

A: For me, doing the opening of the show. Here, the pressure is really on. The tournament is about to begin, the crew is in place, the lights (which are very bright and hot) are on, the boom camera is sweeping down, and when we hear "Action," Vince and I have to do the welcome and introduction of players without missing a beat – and there are no teleprompters. We have only two or three chances to do this because of the time factor, so getting it right is critical. I will tell you that it's not as easy as it looks. During the opening on the first few shows, my heart was pounding far more than it has with any all-in bluff I've ever made.

Q: What has your experience of being involved with the WPT been like?

A: The WPT is enjoyed by many people and has brought poker forward in a positive way. It's really been marvelous. I love doing the shows. The best part of it, though, is that the people involved with the WPT are truly wonderful. That includes Steve Lipscomb (producer), Audrey Kania (business manager), Robyn Moder (production manager), my co-hosts Vince Van Patten and Shana Hiatt, and the entire crew and staff. They are not only good people, they are top professionals in their field, as you can see by the product they turn out.

I am honored to be a part of the World Poker Tour, and I'm happy to have been invited back for a second season (which got under way in Paris, July 10-13). I will do my best to help bring you the best poker show imaginable.

Thank you for watching the World Poker Tour. Take care.

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