World Poker Showdown signs television deal

The World Poker Showdown takes poker players to tropical vacation spots for large poker tournaments, and now, even if you can't make it in person, you can at least watch the poker action on TV.

United Sports Media, a Los Angeles-based media and television syndication firm, along with the World Poker Entertainment Network, announced this week it has signed an international broadcast agreement with the WPS.

"We are very pleased to have been chosen to produce and syndicate these events," said Rod Myers, United Sports Media president.

The WPS was created by Herb Van Dyke and has four major upcoming poker events scheduled. The first is the WPS Costa Rica Showdown from Oct. 20-28. The tournament will include several No-Limit Hold'em events with various buy-ins, with the main event starting Oct. 26 with a $2,500+$150 buy-in.

The Costa Rica Showdown will then air in December.

Next up is the WPS Bahamas "DeepStack" Poker Open Jan. 1-19, 2008. Taking place at the Cable Beach Resort in the Bahamas, this tournament series will offer even more Texas Hold'em tournaments and some Omaha with buy-ins as low as $210.

Another incentive to check out the tournament is the addition of the "Flying Dutchman." Marcel Luske will be taking time out of his busy poker pro schedule to play host.

March 30-April 6, 2008, poker players can set sail on the WPS Caribbean Poker Cruise. Events will cost as little as $150 or as much as $2,500 for the main event to take part in.

The final stop on the WPS this season is the Ocean World poker Showdown May 9-18, 2008, at the Ocean World Casino in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

"I've known Herb [Van Dyke] for years, and he has always put a world class product on the table," Myers said. "I feel this will be a great partnership, and together, we can truly place all of the World Poker Showdown events directly on the map as one of the great poker tournaments to play in."

Mark May, World Poker Entertainment Network CEO, also expressed how thrilled his company is to be working with the WPS, and with distribution through his company and United Sports Media, the WPS will be available to more than 100 million homes worldwide. FANZ-TV, a newly created sports gaming entertainment TV network in the United States, has been given broadcast rights to the show, and syndication rights are being offered by United Sports Media.

"Our events are perfect for this network," Van Dyke said. "WPS promises to continue bringing exciting venues in exotic places. With Rod's production expertise and his love for poker, this will prove to be a very popular TV show."

For more information about the WPS, visit WorldPokerShowdown.com.

courtesy of Sarah Polson

News Added: 25 August, 2007

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