November 20, 2008
. . . according to Harrah’s Sports and Entertainment Director of Communications Seth Palansky. Palansky appeared on Gary Wise’s podcast Wise Hand Poker (the 11/19/08 episode) to talk about various subjects, including doing a little post-mortem of the delayed WSOP Main Event final table and broadcast.
As the pair discussed various promotional opportunities — as well as the distractions of the economic crises and presidential election that punctuated those last couple of weeks prior to the final table — Palansky stated how he had some news to “break” on Wise’s show. Per Kevmath’s transcription:
SP: We had a player booked on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, they chose not to do it.
GW: Are we allowed to ask which player it was?
SP: I don’t want to name names and get into that for anyone. We also had the Ellen DeGeneres show booked with another player, who chose not to do it.
GW: Why were these players choosing not to do these shows?
SP: That’s something that the players and their agents and advisors, etc. that should be in the position to answer….
Palansky goes on to “express a concern” that the unnamed players didn’t seize the opportunities to appear on the mainstream shows. “They’ve got to take advantage of the opportunities that get presented to them,” said Palansky. “And it’s unfortunate that in situations where we had a successful pitch and an opportunity for our players to be on that national stage, they chose not to.”
Discussion has ensued on the 2+2 forum (where Kevmath’s transcription of the pertinent passages, unabridged, can be found).
Ed. Note: See Shamus’ own more detailed, existential thoughts on the making of a more-than-poker TV star here.
July 7, 2008
As the lone Pokerati participant in the annual WSOP media push fest, I tried to represent the best I could and made it through about half the field before succumbing to the blind onslaught (i.e. I ran 9-9 into A-A), but along the way there was fun.
I had hoped to take out Jason “Spaceman” Kirk since he crippled me in the event last year, and was fortunate enough to not only draw his table but also the seat to his immediate left. However, we never tangled in a large pot. Instead, I doubled up early with A-A against the 10-10 of the guy who won the 30-minute massage at a drawing before the tournament began.
“I still get the massage, right?” he asked before putting his chips into the pot against my all-in bet. (The action was 150 from me, 350 from him and all in from me…25-50 blinds and 2,000 starting stacks)
Anthony Holden was moved to my table and I had to take a shot at busting him. I limped for 100 with 10-J and Seth Palansky, the Harrah’s PR guy, made it 200 to go. Holden called in the BB and I called. After a flop of 10-3-2 I checked to Palansky and he only bet 300. Holden pushed in for 650 and I had to take a shot at a good story so I pushed. Palansky called for his last chips. I was ahead on the flop — K-5 for Holden and 4-6 for Palansky, but the 5 on the turn gave SP a big pot.
I then got crippled when Ali Nejad was moved to the table and shortly pushed with A-6. I called with 10-10 and the ace hit the flop. I doubled through Palansky on a coin flip and was able to push a few people around on blind steals when the stakes went to 200-400 with a 50 ante before running into aces.
June 22, 2008
According to Seth Palansky, Harrah’s Communications Director, the buzz is definitely all about the $50K H.O.R.S.E. event coming up on Wednesday, and pre-registration is up. Technically, I don’t know what that means because official numbers are not being released, but that might be a good sign. Seth isn’t sure if he’d bet on the number going up much from last year…
2006 $50K H.O.R.S.E. - 143 players, $6,864,000 prize pool
2007 $50K H.O.R.S.E. - 148 players, $7,104,000 prize pool
My personal estimation is that the number will rise again. According to the pros I’ve been asking, they all think the number will go up, but no one is willing to give a number. It might be a bit pie-in-the-sky, but with the increased realization that the $50K H.O.R.S.E. is the real gauge of a world champion poker player, along with the wicked prize pool and a greater number of players becoming skilled in mixed games, I’m predicting 175. (Flame away if you must.)
