[Is that standard?]

http://www.irishpokerboards.com/forum/showpost.php?p=888949&postcount=220

The thing I found most interesting is that the commentators knew the details of the hand before it happened, as they were on a 30 minute delay.

Is that standard? Watching it again, you hear the commentary in a completely different - and in my view more sinister - light.

Were they out of order or is the commentator apologising for nothing?

In a word, no.

In most situations where commentators are watching a delayed feed, they don't have access to "advance" information - especially the details/results of specific hands.

Superb. Thank you.

I'm going to attempt to grasp the nettle...

What was it like commentating on this hand?

Click to see full-size image.

Sadly, there was no webcast from the penultimate day of that event, so I never got to experience the moment "live."

The commentary for the TV shows involves a fair degree of preparation and production, and a small element of acting. But I'm still genuinely shocked that the guy called the raise.

[Is that standard?]

http://www.irishpokerboards.com/forum/showpost.php?p=888949&postcount=220

The thing I found most interesting is that the commentators knew the details of the hand before it happened, as they were on a 30 minute delay.

Is that standard? Watching it again, you hear the commentary in a completely different - and in my view more sinister - light.

Were they out of order or is the commentator apologising for nothing?

In a word, no.

In most situations where commentators are watching a delayed feed, they don't have access to "advance" information - especially the details/results of specific hands.

Hi,

There are two separate issues being discussed in this thread, and I would like to address both. As someone who's worked on the EPT since 2006, and was heavily involved in the development and production of Shark Cage, I can provide an insider's perspective. But please don't consider the following to be the official "PokerStars line."

1) Victoria Coren Mitchell's win in Sanremo

Alex and Ryan are correct: we plan our TV coverage well in advance of the events taking place. It was never going to be possible to televise Sanremo. At the point the final table was being played, the TV set was being rigged in Monte Carlo for the EPT Grand Final.

It was incredibly unfortunate that the crowning of the European Poker Tour's first ever two-time champion occurred at a non-televised event. It was frustrating and annoying for the TV production team, as we've been building the "two time curse" storyline for several years. It's disappointing, for the programme-makers and TV viewers alike, not to be able to resolve this narrative thread.

One silver lining: the tournament was streamed live, and the replay of the final table has been archived online, so fans can still watch Vicky's amazing achievement, complete with my inane shouting over the last hand.

2) Shark Cage

I'm not surprised the first episode has been met with a certain degree of disdain from hardcore poker fans. Shark Cage is designed for a more casual/mainstream audience; it's clearly not a pure poker show.

The first thing to say is that we're not moving away from making pure poker shows! We think it's very important to provide entertaining and engaging content for the poker community. In 2014, PokerStars has invested a great deal of money into live streaming every single leg of the European Poker Tour. In addition, we’ve produced 38 hours of TV coverage from the EPT and PCA. In the first half of 2015, viewers on Channel 4 can look forward to highlights from the EPT 10 Grand Final, EPT 11 Barcelona, EPT 11 London and the 2015 PCA.

Now, in addition to appealing to existing players, it's also our objective to attract NEW players to the game. Shark Cage is obviously built for a non poker-savvy audience: people who don’t necessarily play online, and certainly don't post on 2p2. We know, from research and experience, that a winner-takes-all STT (which starts and concludes in the same episode) is the easiest type of game for a beginner to follow. We also know that these viewers appreciate seeing sports stars and celebrities at the table, and are also likely to appreciate a format that’s closer to a game show than a poker tournament. Anyone remember The Million Dollar Challenge? It’s not as revered as High Stakes Poker (understatement of the year), but it was a huge success.

We think it’s important to experiment and try new things. Our ambition with Shark Cage was to create something different; something less serious than the EPT/PCA. The end result is more of an entertainment show than a poker show, with a strong focus on the personalities and table banter. Personally, I think it’s a great advertisement for the game, because it shows people having fun playing poker, while competing for life-changing prize money. Everyone who took part in the first series thoroughly enjoyed the experience, expressing their appreciation for the shot clock and cage concept (conceived by Ike Haxton).

In an ideal world, I'd like to see Shark Cage broadcast in a different slot to the EPT, either earlier in the evening, or on another day of the week. It would be great to run the series alongside the EPT episodes, so that our core audience doesn’t feel deprived of their weekly poker fix. I really hope we can change this going forward.

Couple of specific things... In the first two heats, the players had buttons under the table (one for ‘Bluff' and one for 'Value Bet'). For the remaining six heats, the buttons were replaced by Bluff/Value cards. These worked much better. Also, we chose to simplify the graphics for this series, removing table positions and stack sizes to avoid bombarding viewers with too much information. Moving forward, this is something we can review.

In summary, I appreciate Shark Cage isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I’m pleased that many poker fans have enjoyed the first episode, describing it as “fun” and refreshing.” We value all feedback, positive and negative. I just hope that the show’s biggest detractors understand its purpose and possibly give it another chance.

James.

Hi tikay,

Long time no speak.

Recently saw 'Locke' on a flight back from the US...and thought of you.

I know you don't watch many films, but I think you'd give this one a big thumbs up. Tom Hardy plays the title character - a construction site manager - who spends a decent percentage of the movie talking about concrete. Not cement. Concrete!

In addition, it's an excellent drama, and well worth checking out. (Apologies if the film's already been mentioned/discussed/reviewed in this thread.)

James.

Thanks, Tony. You're FAR too kind!

Seriously, it's been an absolute blast working alongside you. Those TV shows, despite being long, are enormous fun. And I really enjoyed our trips to Las Vegas and...Glasgow.

Shame I can't be a part of the UKPC. It will be huge. And I predict it'll take 'Next Door' to the next level.

It's actually been a tough balancing act over the last five years - promoting two rival gaming sites; trying to keep two clients happy. I knew there'd come a tipping point. And here we are.

But, we all know what this industry is like. I feel this is au revoir, rather than goodbye.

[after THE most awful day at work]

Well Doobs has sorted paying for the holiday Teeks, let us know when you have booked

Spoiler!

I had to get to bed last night, after THE most awful day at work, which ended @ 10pm, & the prospect of another today. (And tomorrow).

So I decided to save the Doobs Winamax thread until last, squeeze it, just as I save the spuds till last with dinner. Always save the best until last.

Anyway.....yeah, what a thing. Tremendous result by Doobs, & lets not forget Ryan, too, who finished 2nd.  

Ryan is really progressing with his game, his career, & his life, & I'm so proud of him.

Won a Sat to EPT Barca, cashed for €15,000 or whatever, won a sat for EPT London a few nights ago, & now picks up a useful €68,000 in the Winamax thing.

He's had a testing year, like you will never know, lost a huge lump of his 'roll in unfortunate circumstances earlier this year, & did not have a great Vegas, so this result is, for him, spectacular.

Top bloke. Not so long ago he was roffling around at Luton with the likes of Chompy & Vinni, now he's a proper player.

 

Please expand...




;-)

[You lined up for any WSOP commentary this year?]

During my days as a London radio news anchor, I used to work for a rather dictatorial editor.

If anyone was caught writing/announcing, "The Metropolitan Police have..." they would suffer a torrent of abuse. This would always contain foul language. Sometimes it would contain threats. And it was often followed by a firing!

Best poker tournament you have ever commentated upon?

Best poker player you have ever seen? (For the purposes of this, don't include me please).

Very hard questions to answer. So, I'll change the wording slightly...

The most enjoyable event to commentate (live) was the NAPT Mohegan Sun in 2010. Vanessa Selbst put on a masterclass at the Main Event final table. And, the next day, Jason Mercier ran like...Jason Mercier to win the High Roller Bounty Shootout. I didn't get to attend the festival in 2011, when both Vanessa AND Jason repeated their wins, but did get to voice the TV shows. Which never aired on ESPN. Thanks, Mr Bharara!

And the most entertaining player to commentate on? Possibly, Calvin Anderson (Cal42688). He went deep in EPT Berlin last month, and was awesome to watch.

Thanks James.

Best film you have seen in the last 12 months, & why do you rate it so highly? 0.00000164 of blondes (includes Tighty) enjoy films. I watched "American Gangster" recently. It was really rather enjoyable.

You lined up for any WSOP commentary this year?

I had an invite to commentate on the WSOP "live stream" for 2 Events last year, but I became otherewise detained in a Tourney, so missed the chance. Quite a relief really, think I would have had me a seriously new arse ripped if I had commentated. Dem kids can be proper cruel. My 2+2 fanbase would have loved it though. Lolprobably.

Nice try

But I will avoid delving into poker industry politics and simply answer: No, I haven't worked on the WSOP since 2010.

During my days as a London radio news anchor, I used to work for a rather dictatorial editor.

If anyone was caught writing/announcing, "The Metropolitan Police have..." they would suffer a torrent of abuse. This would always contain foul language. Sometimes it would contain threats. And it was often followed by a firing!

Best poker tournament you have ever commentated upon?

Best poker player you have ever seen? (For the purposes of this, don't include me please).

Very hard questions to answer. So, I'll change the wording slightly...

The most enjoyable event to commentate (live) was the NAPT Mohegan Sun in 2010. Vanessa Selbst put on a masterclass at the Main Event final table. And, the next day, Jason Mercier ran like...Jason Mercier to win the High Roller Bounty Shootout. I didn't get to attend the festival in 2011, when both Vanessa AND Jason repeated their wins, but did get to voice the TV shows. Which never aired on ESPN. Thanks, Mr Bharara!

And the most entertaining player to commentate on? Possibly, Calvin Anderson (Cal42688). He went deep in EPT Berlin last month, and was awesome to watch.

During my days as a London radio news anchor, I used to work for a rather dictatorial editor.

If anyone was caught writing/announcing, "The Metropolitan Police have..." they would suffer a torrent of abuse. This would always contain foul language. Sometimes it would contain threats. And it was often followed by a firing!

[has]

I'm sure most will think "wtf"?, but these things play on my mind.

The BBC - Lord Reith's very own - were reporting on a matter connected to Warwickshire Police this morning, it was on Radio 4.

The announcer peep person said this....

".....Warwickshire Police has issued a statement......"

"have", surely?

The BBC newsreader was correct.

He/she is referring to Warwickshire Police Force.  This is an organisation, and the BBC's editorial guidelines state that organisations and companies should be referred to in the singular tense.

It is not 'American English'.

For the record, it is decidely NOT aimed at the poker market, that was not the Business Model. The poker world is miniscule compared to Football, Darts, Rugby, Horse Racing, & the Series is designed to give us exposure to those viewers, who may not play poker, or who are lapsed. There is a whole lot of Social-Media & SEO stuff behind the Shows, those are the real key of its success, & we are delighted with what those elements achieved, our SEO hits & Acquisition have gone through the roof. 

That's the way forward imo. When I watch some poker I want to see a bit of banter, some loose spewy play, some all ins, some suck outs, etc. Essentially I'm after a bit of entertainment. Watching some 20 year olds in sunglasses staring at each other slowly 5 betting each other or whatever is dull. It has its place of course, but it's not for the masses.

Not seen this show. Is it online?

There IS a market for "serious" televised poker, the EPT stuff is well-produced, but the viewing audiences are so tiny that they do not even register on the ratings. They are televised because they are Free Content to the Channel, & it is a handy late night filler. It is good stuff, but the appeal is extremely limited, it only appeals to the Poker mature, which is a very tiny market, & not of much commercial use to anyone. Everyone who plays to that Level already has all the Online Poker Accounts they need.

Our Show was specifically targeted at a different audience altogether, the sports fans, football, rugby, hoirse racing, snooker, as there is a huge audience of potential poker players & sign-ups there.

It is not Online at present, the repeated Episodes on Channel 861 will be Live Streamed, starting Monday February 18th, @ 9pm, every week for 6 weeks.

Thanks for your kind words about the commentary on the Sky Sports show, Tony.

But I think your analysis of the EPT shows is a little "off."

I guarantee that the sponsors would not be generating this content if it wasn't reaching a significant audience.  And, while they cater for the hardcore market, they are primarily pitched at a "mainstream" audience.  I'm reliably informed they succeed in attracting both new customers to sign-up to the site and old customers to re-activate their accounts.

FWIW, I think the cash game show being discussed in this thread is perfectly pitched at the Sky Sports market, and am not surprised it's driving new players to Sky Poker.

T Kay gets a mention in this post. It's a good read.

http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/ept/2013/the-first-ept-deauville-126502.html

The only EPT main event I've ever played...

And the only time I've had the "pleasure" of sharing a poker table with Mr Kendall.

I can confirm that ElkY was not great at the pokerz back then. In fact (humble brag alert), I busted him from the tournament. Yes, that's how bad he was!

Miami PLEASE?!?!?!?!?

I think you're going to get what you want, Mr D.

Hitting legally is one thing, hitting with a bounty payment to knock the player out of the game, another entirely

Player safety has been a major concern these last few years in the NFL, with tougher on field rules, and deliberate and pre-mediated strategies to injure others? A complete no-no

THIS!

Q2. The Godfather & The Godfather Part II - to quote Empire magazine's review from 1990, "Frankly, the best six-and-a-half hours you can have with all your clothes on."

Personally preferred Once upon a time in American but they are both outstanding.

Also in my top ten! The Inception of gangster movies* ;-)

(* Will expand on this thought when I'm back on line this afternoon!)

Thoughts on Once Upon a Time in America...

***SPOILER ALERT: DO  NOT READ UNLESS YOU HAVE SEEN THE FILM!***

10 years after I first watched the film (and admired it as a flawed epic), I had a lightbulb moment.

Suddenly, I realised the importance of the final shot.

This paragraph, from Wikipedia, sums it up perfectly...

"The film begins and ends in 1933, with Noodles hiding out in an opium den from Syndicate hitmen. Since the last shot of the movie is of Noodles in a smiling, opium-soaked high, the film can be interpreted to have been a drug-induced fantasy or dream, with Noodles remembering his past and envisioning the future. In an interview by Noël Simsolo published in 1987, Leone himself confirms the validity of this interpretation, saying that the scenes set in the 1960s could be seen as an opium dream of Noodles. In his commentary for a DVD of the movie, film historian and critic Richard Schickel states that opium users often report vivid dreams and that these visions have a tendency to explore the user's past and future."

The first time I watched it, I had a huge problem with the 1968 timeline. All those scenes felt "wrong" and I hated the fact that Deborah looked exactly the same as she did in the 1930s. Plus, I thought it was a really naff gesture to have the same actor play the young Max AND his son. But, if you subscribe to the 'Opium Theory', it all makes perfect sense.

In the final 1960s scene, just after a James Woods lookalike (the actor's stand-in, I believe) has thrown himself into the back of a garbage truck (a suitably bizarre fantasy for an opium junkie), Noodles is blinded by the headlights of a car. The car is a 1930s vehicle; the passengers are 1930s party-goers. In Noodles' drug-addled brain, the timelines are clearly starting to merge.

And, because this is a film about the passing of time, I LOVE the fact that things...take...time. The telephone that rings for ten minutes; Noodles noisily stirring his coffee: they're all amazing moments that should be allowed to breathe.

I still believe it's a flawed epic. But, in my opinion, its brilliance and originality outweigh those flaws considerably.

I'll leave you with another "nugget" (once again, courtesy of Wikipedia)...

"For the US release on June 1, 1984, Once Upon a Time in America was edited down to 139 minutes (2 hours and 19 minutes) by the studio and against the director's wishes. In this short version, the flashback narrative was also changed, by moving the scenes in chronological order. Leone was reportedly heartbroken by the American cut, and never made another film before his death in 1989, making this his final film."