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The latest in reality TV
programming? The World Poker Tour, developed on
a concept similar to the PGA tour, with a king being
crowned not for a single tournament (such as is the
case with the World
Series of Poker), but for his or her success
throughout the year at tournaments scheduled in
different countries around the world (and even international waters!)
and culminating in the World Poker Tour Finals event
(2003 WPT was held this year at Foxwoods in Las
Vegas).
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The World Poker Tour is the brainchild of company
CEO, Steve Lipscomb. One can imagine
there were many hurdles to overcome. The
secrets to Steve's success appear to be a
combination of three aspects of the show; first,
there is the excitement of the "no limit"
aspect of the game, creating a suspense similar to
Tiger Woods needing to sink a 40 foot putt to win
the game. A million dollars can rest on one
decision in no limit holdem. Second, the World
Poker Tour fills the room with cameras and uses a
glass table, enabling viewers to feel part of the
game. And third, anyone can join for the price
of a buy-in. What appeared certain to go down
in history as one of the most abysmal programming
failures due to sheer boredom, turns out to be one
of the most exciting, glued to your TV screen events
in the history of television.
So, why the Travel Channel for this
World Poker Tour series? "Las Vegas" is one of the
most sought after destinations for travel.
Over one million web surfer "search" for
information on Las Vegas every month through Yahoo
and Google. Ever since Benny Binion
launched the first World Series of poker in 1970
in Las Vegas, one can't think of a poker
championship without thinking of Las
Vegas.
Of course, Las Vegas is not the only
travel destination and therefore it is not too much
of a surprise that the 2003 World Poker Tour
(WPT) Finals was held at the Foxwood Casino in
Ledyard, CT on November 17th. The Champion Hoyt
Corkins of Alabama took home a prize of just
over $1,000,000. Not much in contrast to the
$2,500,000 won earlier this year by 2003 World
Series of Poker Champion, Chris Moneymaker,
but then the WSOP has been around for 33 years
longer!
Ready to try your hand?
Try playing no limit holdem online "Free
Poker" at Play4FunPoker.com or win a trip
to a World Poker Tour tournament via an online
poker site.
More on Poker...
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