Making televised poker better

[freekobe]

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And this is the type of audience that the networks are trying to grab.

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Bob, your posts are always good, and this one was dead-on.

The posters on this board represent .0001 of the poker audience. Poker TV shows are made for the casual fan.

Would more stats make it more interesting for us? Of course. And perhaps a few wrinkles will be added in to new shows. But for now, the networks are doing what's best for them.

Advanced theory/commentary and/or live shows would alienate the vast majority of the audience. If John Madden's commentary was aimed at high school football coaches, 99% of us would be completely lost. Madden's genius is that he can talk down to us, those who don't know the names of formations or when to use three WRs instead of two.

I am in no way apologizng for Sexton/Van Patten/Chad/McEachern. Those guys are horrendous. But they're closer to where they should be than most of you think. Most of the audience doesn't know that a flush beats a straight. Realize that, and then re-evaluate what you think about network TV and poker.

Live shows will exist, but they'll NEVER make it on national TV. Ever. As someone who worked on the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship, I feel confident in saying that. It is WAY too boring and the technology isn't quite there yet (cards aren't always right).

Whenever you criticize TV for how they broadcast poker, remember who the audience is. Once you understand that, most of it makes sense.

[revots33]

They are trying to get the casual players to watch, not the smaller # of hardcore players like 2+2 members. Showing live events might be fun for us, but I doubt most casual fans want to watch hours and hours of blind steals with an occasional action hand thrown in.

I think some sort of pro player league, with the more charismatic stars instead of Joe Blow the contracter from Minnesota, might help ratings. I know I hate when I turn on the WPT and it's a bunch of no-names at the final table. Any sports league needs recognizable stars for people to root for (or against). Perhaps an idea like the ProJo poker series will work, since it will pit amateurs against the pros.

[Big_Jim]

[sarcasm] MORE ALL IN PRE-FLOP POTS (preferably with a commercial after the turn) [/sarcasm]

[PE101]

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Are you sure you want TV Poker educating the masses?

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I'm with you. I want the folks I'm playing against to have leaned everything they know from watching TV!

[ShaneMoney]

First, I would definately take away the "How-to play" at the beginning.
Second, Highlight a couple hands and only show one person's hole cards. It would be really fun to try and guess what these guys have without commentator interuption. After the hand is over, the hosts can dissect the hand. Those stupid commercials where Jesus is in the refrigerator only show the river, how is anyone supposed to know to fold or not based on one card and no knowledge of betting patterns.
And third, views of all the players in the pot. I hate all the cuts back and forth.

[CourtesyFlush]

Havent read any other posts but..

deep stacked high stakes cash games.