Poker Mom

The World Poker Tour is in full force with several events planned between now and the end of the year.  In addition to the WPT Boot Camps, the WPT will be hosting two large WPT events in the months of August and September.

The Bicycle Casino Legends of Poker

Located in Bell Gardens, California, The Bicycle Casino will host the WPT’s Legends of Poker event from August 23-28, 2008.  The buy-in for the No-Limit Hold’Em Championship is $9,800 + $200.  If you don’t have $10,000 to plop down on an entry fee, you can participate in one of the mega super satellites.  The WPT event will also be hosting a Ladies No-Limit Hold’Em tournament for a $500 + $45 buy-in.

The Borgata Poker Open

Atlantic city, New Jersey will be hosting the Borgata Poker Open from September 14-18, 2008.  As with the August event, the championship tournament features a $10,000 total buy-in and several satellites.  Other events throughout the five day tournament schedule include games starting at a $300 + $50 buy-in; a tournament for every poker player’s budget.

The WPT events are a great way for poker players around the United States to get a chance to play with some big name poker players from around the world.

After almost four hours of play, the 2008 WSOP $10,000 Pot-limit Hold’em Event #1 is down to just four players and my girl, Kathy Liebert is still in the running.  She’s now the official short stack with $255,000 in chips.  Andy Bloch is holding strong as the chip leader with $3,750,00.  Nenad Medic is in second with $1,910,000 chips and Mike Sexton is running close behind in third at $1,450,000.

Mike Sexton is most recently recognized as one of the voices of the World Poker Tour but he is a fantastic poker player in his own right.  In WSOP play he has one bracelet and 43 cashes totalling $631,180.  If he wins this first event of the 2008 WSOP then he will more than double his WSOP winnings.

Other well-known players that made it to the final table include Phil Laak who went out in ninth place and Patrik Antonius who was out in seventh. 

High Stakes Poker, airing Monday nights on GSN, is my personal favorite poker show on television.  The format is one in which big name poker players get together and play true high stakes poker with their own bankroll.  The show usually has a $100,000 minimum buy-in to the no-limit Texas Hold’em game but this past season featured a table with a $500,000 minimum buy-in.  For those of us who don’t earn hundreds of thousands a year, watching a $100,000 minimum buy-in game is exhilarating.

While poking around the net today I noticed a story that was posted on CardPlayer.com on Thursday, May 15, 2008 that confirmed that GSN has not requested a new season of High Stakes Poker.  I admit I am quite disappointed with the lack of renewal.  I have my DVR set to record High Stakes Poker and it has been awhile since it has picked up a new season.

According to the CardPlayer.com article by Bob Pajich, “Although President and CEO of Poker PROductions Mori Eskandani confirmed that GSN has not yet contacted his production company for new shows, he wouldn’t rule out that GSN would never buy more High Stakes Poker episodes again.”

Evidently the World Poker Tour, in its first season on GSN, is up for renewal by May 24 and no action has taken part on that poker show either.  Speculation is being made that GSN is trying to get away from casino-based games.  In my not so expert opinion I feel that this could hurt GSN’s viewership.  Televised poker is huge right now and it is likely that it will continue to increase in popularity.

Source:  GSN Has Yet to Order more High Stakes Poker Episodes

The World Poker Tour has announced that Layla Kayleigh will not be returning as the WPT hostess next season.  In a press release quoted on pokernews.com, the WPT states “”Layla Kayleigh brought great edge, wit, and personality to the World Poker Tour as hostess in Season VI, and we sincerely wish her well as she continues to explore her TV career. We are currently casting for the Season VII TV hostess role, and look forward to introducing her to everyone soon.”

So this is a call out to all of you curvaceous young ladies who have an eye for poker, the World Poker Tour is looking to replace their hostess for the fourth time in four years.  If you think that you fit the bill, contact WPT Enterprises, Inc. at (323) 330-9900.

The current season of the World Poker Tour is currently being broadcast on the Game Show Network.  The WPTonGSN.com website provides viewers with a plethora of information including a schedule of upcoming tournaments, results from past tournaments as well as comprehensive player stats including the popular WPT Poker Made Millionaires section.