Saw this in the NY Post today. Don't know if it is a big deal or not.
A new professional poker league will try to raise the game to the heights of professional golf and tennis after inking a deal to broadcast its events on CBS.Beside the TV deal, the "Epic Poker League" differentiates itself from the poker-on-TV pack through exclusivity -- only the best players from around the world will be allowed to compete.
The league will ensure this happens by using a mathematical formula that accounts for finishes in major events, money earned and recent success to pick out the world's best players, according to league commissioner Annie Duke, a legendary poker player and "Celebrity Apprentice" runner-up.
"This is the one piece that's kind of missing from the poker landscape right now, which is something for the best players in the world to compete against the best players in the world," Duke told the Associated Press.
Most major poker events are open tournaments, with players only needing to fork over the buy-in to compete. This traditional format often leads to amateur players winning out over their more seasoned rivals by sheer luck.
The shows themselves will be hosted by sports announcer Pat O'Brien, a current Fox Sports Radio host, who will be joined by Ali Nejad, a veteran poker commentator who is also a professional poker player.
The "Epic Poker League" will provide seven hours of original programming for CBS, while another 13 hours will be shown on the Velocity channel in October.
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/poker_league_for_pros_only_FoPZgGjh9xrZ1kJ7PT6lyL
Robert
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"With Humphrey Bogart dealing, Marilyn Monroe flashes her charm and beauty, and James Dean rakes in a giant pot off a shocked Elvis Presley"
http://www.antiquegamblingchips.com/CelebritiesPlayingPoker.htm
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