 I remember asking myself: 'when will it all stop?'
It seems a long time since I asked myself just how long this poker boom would last. I was unsure back then and still today I can't shed any light on the answer.
What I do know is that we are busier than we have ever been and with the announcement today that we have just secured the contract to produce the WPT Europe events - 2010 is set to be our biggest year yet. 
I had to laugh recently when I read Matt Marranz's (producer for the ESPN NAPT) quote when announcing the NAPT: "For a game that's so mathematical, poker TV is remarkably stat-free. The only thing we ever talk about is winning percentages or pot odds. When an online player analyses the game, there are reams of statistics. We're going to start incorporating those statistics into the show. That way, we can back up statements about Player X being loose or tight or aggressive or passive. We'll have a record of who's busted out whom. We're going to create statistical poker data that hasn't existed before now that will be great for TV"
Really? So are you forgetting that last year we introduced a whole range of new stats into our production, including aggression, button raise percentage, Big Blind Surrender, Hand wins percentage through the streets, attempts to steal and v-chip percentage. So how very groundbreaking...but it gets better...
''All-ins with aces and kings aren't good enough anymore,” Marranz continued. “Viewers want a more intense experience, to learn while they watch. The stats that make up the essence of the game are finally going to start infiltrating the TV broadcasts – people at home want a rooting interest, and we try to provide that through good storytelling''
I'm actually starting to wonder if he just read an interview I gave about 18 months ago just before he spoke about the NAPT.
Another groundbreaking Poker TV moment of 2010 has to be the Pokerstars.net Big Game. I mean it must have taken a lifetime to come up with that event title, particularly as we have just filmed the fourth series of the PartyPoker.com Big Game. Frightening really.
Speaking of the Big Game - it was a total blast. 400 big blinds, players walking in to music, 'vote-off' style evictions and players doing their very best to last the 48 hours at the table. It's on our screens very soon and I think it will look great. Obviously it was disappointing not to get Isildur1 to the game and I know that Tony G felt really let down that he didn't come. I actually called Isildur1 on the Thursday before the Big Game just for clarification that he wasn't coming. He told me that he had a driving test on the Tuesday and needed to practice over the weekend to make sure he passed! I believed him but I also believe there was plenty of outside influence trying to make sure he didn't come. It's a funny situation, because most people know who he is, but he won’t confirm it, so until he does, he will have to play as 'the guy everyone thinks it is but no-one knows for sure' or as Isildur1 with his identity covered.
Just another example of how this poker soap opera keeps us all in business.
Posted by : Eddie |
