ESPN 2011 WSOP Coverage

**all4pearljam** · 07-20-2011, 02:34 PM

Is it me, or has the ESPN coverage of the WSOP really sucked this year? I remember back like 4-5 years ago, they used to show Circuit events, as well as other WSOP tournaments, and not just the Main Event. Also, they've taken away the pocket-cam, which, IMO, is a huge reason why a lot of people tuned in. They wanted to see how certain players played certain hands, and now you can't see it until the hand is over, and in some cases, not at all. Opinions anyone, or am the only one who thinks this way???

**curtinsea** · 07-20-2011, 03:17 PM

well which do you prefer, a highlight show or a real presentation of what a poker tournament is like? I think the coverage was fine, I think the announcers just need to adapt their style a bit, to make it more interesting. Without the hole cards and insta-% stats, they need to create better dialogue to keep the viewer interested.

I think it's a good start. Personally, I didn't pay any attention to the WSOP other than to watch Phil H come close three times

**Nynus** · 07-20-2011, 05:53 PM

This was just the raw live coverage. They are still going to do the "Highlight" coverage with Lon and Norm. It's going to be once a week every Tuesday leading up to the November final table.

I guess with limited advertising, they had to find a way to milk it for all it's worth.

**Harsea21** · 07-21-2011, 06:21 AM

I believe they will continue to show hands only after the play even in the highlights show ... that's what I read somewhere.

Also, this year coverage includes some of the old main event head-ups, including moneymaker. I a fan of these classic replay

**Harsea21** · 07-21-2011, 11:40 AM

Here's an article on the subject

world-series-of-poker-main-event-lights-camera-action

**all4pearljam** · 07-21-2011, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by curtinsea

well which do you prefer, a highlight show or a real presentation of what a poker tournament is like? I think the coverage was fine, I think the announcers just need to adapt their style a bit, to make it more interesting. Without the hole cards and insta-% stats, they need to create better dialogue to keep the viewer interested.

I think it's a good start. Personally, I didn't pay any attention to the WSOP other than to watch Phil H come close three times

I wasn't necessarily speaking on my own opinion of it (in regards to NOT showing the hole cards until after the hand). I like trying to figure out what each player has as the hands progress to try and help my own live game. But it is still nice (especially to the novice watcher) to see the hole cards when each hand starts.

**sipowitz56** · 07-21-2011, 08:32 PM

I feel that the format that has currently been running (not showing the hole cards) has taken me awhile to get used to. I honestly go back and forth on how I feel about it (I personally like seeing the cards, but understand what they are doing). I have seen some of the older broadcasts of older tournaments on ESPN classic (welcome back kotter lol... for the record I like Gabe) when they didn't have the hole cam and this reminds me of how the commentators played a stronger role in telling the audience what was going on with each hand. When I am watching by myself, I can appreciate trying to determine who has what in a hand, but if I am watching with someone else, it is a cluster **** to try and explain what is going on and keep them interested in watching. So I guess this is tailored more for the knowledgeable fans of the game. Did this come out of nowhere for any one else?

**all4pearljam** · 07-21-2011, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by sipowitz56

I feel that the format that has currently been running (not showing the hole cards) has taken me awhile to get used to. I honestly go back and forth on how I feel about it (I personally like seeing the cards, but understand what they are doing). I have seen some of the older broadcasts of older tournaments on ESPN classic (welcome back kotter lol... for the record I like Gabe) when they didn't have the hole cam and this reminds me of how the commentators played a stronger role in telling the audience what was going on with each hand. When I am watching by myself, I can appreciate trying to determine who has what in a hand, but if I am watching with someone else, it is a cluster **** to try and explain what is going on and keep them interested in watching. So I guess this is tailored more for the knowledgeable fans of the game. Did this come out of nowhere for any one else?

I think you summed it up perfectly Sip. I think that this will (or already has) turn away the casual viewer, unless they have a clear understand of what is going on.

**Nynus** · 07-21-2011, 10:03 PM

I don't think they were trying to replace their regular coverage of the WSOP, I think they were trying to supplement it. Their ad revenues had to be WAY down for the edited coverage due to black friday. By running the main event once with a 30 min delay, then again with the predigested editing, they get to double dip as it were with hardly any increase in their production costs.

I'll probably still catch episodes of the edited coverage on tuesday nights, but I did enjoy the unedited coverage more.

**maverick35** · 07-22-2011, 12:13 AM

Old Mav realizes exactly the last final poker table of the WSOP 2011 is gona be a interesting and so exciting thing RIGHT and so exactly cuz it is quite internationial RIGHT and so old Mav has no not bothered to watch and so view any coverage butt it should be a reeal cool November 2011 RIGHT and so the idea to give it added things by taking a rest is a good idea butt still August September October 2011 who knows if there is gona be a world around RIGHT ha ha ha only joking sorry right RIGHT and so again after how America lost to Japan at the womens world soccer cup 2011 the WSOP 2011 adds to that RIGHT and so as poker becomes the thing rather than the girls duking it out off RIGHT and so old Mav is lucky they do no not take old Mav seriously and so old Mav needs a miracle sorry right... sorry old Mav