The World Poker Tour - Season Two

I was recently playing in a tournament at The Bicycle Casino, and players were talking about the "wow" impact the World Poker Tour has had in bringing exposure and new players to poker. One of them said, "Poker is hotter today than disco was in the 1970s." (I love that line, but you probably have to be 40 years old to really appreciate it.) Poker is "in," especially on Wednesday nights when the WPT airs on the Travel Channel.

The poker shows hit No. 1 this month on Entertainment Weekly's "hot list." They are popular with all age groups, women, the baby boomers, the college crowd, and viewers who don't even play poker, and are being talked about around office watercoolers the next day throughout the country. (Monday morning quarterbacking is very popular in poker.)

The shows are a spectator sport, but they also appeal to fans of "last man standing" reality TV by enabling viewers to live vicariously through the players. The shows are not only exciting and entertaining, but people recognize that they can become better poker players by watching the WPT.

Neilsen Media Research indicates that it apparently doesn't matter whether the shows are taped or live, because Travel Channel reruns are attracting more viewers than the original broadcasts, which really impresses TV people. Viewership has skyrocketed since the first two-hour show. It is estimated that four million to five million people watch the WPT every week.

Look for every event on the World Poker Tour to increase in attendance and prize money in season two. I would estimate that 10 of the 13 scheduled events will have more than a $1 million prize pool, and a few of them will have a first-place prize of $1 million or more!

Big money makes for better tournaments and better TV. Top professional players as well as the average poker player love to play in WPT events. And they all want to make the TV shows – some not so much for the money as for just being on TV, where their friends and family can see them. The best part is that anyone can play in a WPT event, and everyone is welcome. All it takes is the buy-in.

For those who may not know, the WPT and the Travel Channel recently signed a multi-year contract and are together for the long run. I believe this is very good for poker, the WPT, and the Travel Channel. Inasmuch as the WPT is the Travel Channel's No. 1 show (by far), it will certainly get behind the WPT with advertising money to promote the program. Give the Travel Channel credit; it took a chance on airing a poker show in prime time on a weekly basis (a big factor in the success of the show). Wednesday night has now become "poker night" throughout the country.

The show for the second season will consist of the same staff – Producer Steve Lipscomb, Production Manager Robyn Moder, commentators Vince Van Patten and me, and host Shana Hiatt. Look for two new events this year, the Borgata Poker Open (Atlantic City, New Jersey) and the Shooting Star tournament at Bay 101 (San Jose, California). Other things you can look for include a better set, better graphics, and an improved production.

Players will find noticeable improvements this season, as well. In addition to the prize pools increasing at every venue and all events being at least three days in length, the structures will be consistent for all WPT events, and they are extremely good. There will also be a WPT "Player of the Year" award given out this year. This award will go to the player with the highest point total for the season. Points will be awarded as follows in every event: first place, 1,000; second place, 800; third place, 700; fourth place, 600; fifth place, 500; sixth place, 400; seventh place, 300; eighth place, 200; and ninth place, 100. In case of a tie at the end of the season, the player winning the most WPT prize money during the year will win the award.

Poker players are known to wager on just about anything. I know of quite a few bets that have already been made for season two of the WPT. Here are a few of them:

• Will there be a two-time winner on the WPT in season two? (There were two two-time winners in season one, but the betting price is 7-5 against.)

• Will anyone make the TV show three times this year? (This is a pick 'em.)

• Will a woman win a WPT event this season? (This is 3-1 against.)

• Will a WPT champion from last year win again this year? (This is a 3-2 favorite.)

The WPT has taken poker to the next level and is revolutionizing the game. Enjoy season two (to be aired in 2004) on the World Poker Tour!

Take care.

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