Live WSOP Coverage
ESPN has been covering the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event in a very different way than in previous years. They’re doing it live!
The broadcast is tape-delayed perhaps half an hour, and although there is a camera for the hole cards, they are not revealed until the completion of the hand. I, for one, really enjoy this change. I realize that it may not be as exciting for the casual viewer, as the action is perhaps more difficult to follow. What it does allow for, however, is terrific color commentary and analysis. The best move ESPN has ever made came this year when they removed Norman Chad from the booth, and replaced him with a rotating group of prime professionals. Norman Chad has too elementary an understanding of poker to properly commentate, while players like Esfandiari and Hellmuth offer a deeper, more insightful insider perspective.
I think the broadcast is wonderful, and I can’t stop watching! I haven’t been interested in the World Series of Poker for many years, and I applaud ESPN’s effort to try a new format.
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July 19th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Agreed, I’m not sure why poker on tv is so addicting…but I’m addicted.
July 19th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
It’s also nice to see each hand instead of what ESPN edits down to show us. Maybe this will help eliminate the ridiculous 3+ month delay for the final table.
July 19th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Watch and record everyone….Great Change
July 19th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Norman Chad most likely will be back for the normal Tuesday shows. Those are more like a highlight show a la Sportscenter instead of the live game. Its an entertainment package that they put together, ESPN needs some sort of goof element to counter the straight man announcer, Lon McEachern. But remember, If it werent for ESPN covering the Moneymaker run at the wsop years ago, the poker boom would have never happened like we see today.