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01-11-2004, 01:02 PM
With more than 50 million regular players across the country, poker is more popular than golf or <font color="blue">billiards</font color> . More than 1.6 million viewers tuned in for the first episode of "Celebrity Poker Showdown," according to television ratings reports. It was the second-highest debut for a show on Bravo.
And when cable television strikes a new and hidden chord in America's viewing habits, you can bet that network TV is sure to follow.
Thus, NBC has announced plans to air a new two-hour poker special on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1. The show is titled "The Travel Channel World Poker Tour Battle Of Champions," and will feature top players facing off for a six-figure grand prize. It begins at 4 p.m.
The game of choice on most of the shows is no-limit Texas Hold 'Em.
"Oh, God, has that game ever taken off," says Mr. Furtado, who notes that he has won a couple of small tournaments, himself. "The most popular is definitely Texas Hold 'Em. Even more so now."
Poker veterans will tell you that the game couldn't have emerged as a surprise hit on cable television without one technological advance -- a small camera that fits into the edge of the card table and lets viewers at home see all of the players' face-down cards.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/01-04/01-11-04/c01li603.htm
And when cable television strikes a new and hidden chord in America's viewing habits, you can bet that network TV is sure to follow.
Thus, NBC has announced plans to air a new two-hour poker special on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1. The show is titled "The Travel Channel World Poker Tour Battle Of Champions," and will feature top players facing off for a six-figure grand prize. It begins at 4 p.m.
The game of choice on most of the shows is no-limit Texas Hold 'Em.
"Oh, God, has that game ever taken off," says Mr. Furtado, who notes that he has won a couple of small tournaments, himself. "The most popular is definitely Texas Hold 'Em. Even more so now."
Poker veterans will tell you that the game couldn't have emerged as a surprise hit on cable television without one technological advance -- a small camera that fits into the edge of the card table and lets viewers at home see all of the players' face-down cards.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/01-04/01-11-04/c01li603.htm