Poker and sports go hand in hand. On Wednesday, two of the sporting world’s most prominent figures appeared on the UB.com sponsored poker news show “Poker2Nite,” L.A. Lakers owner Jerry Buss and UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer. “Poker2Nite” airs weekly on Versus.
Wednesday’s show began with a recap of Isildur1 agreeing to appear in the upcoming PartyPoker Big Game IV, which kicks off on Sunday from London. It remains to be seen whether the mystery Swede will wear a mask to preserve his identity, but the show will likely be one of the highest-rated poker broadcasts of all-time. “Poker2Nite” host Joe Sebok quipped, “We’re talking about a guy playing in a mask. Is this really what we’re discussing? I think it’s going to live up to the hype.” Sebok asserted that despite the mask, it should be relatively simple to figure out whether Isildur1 is really Swedish pro Viktor “blom30” Blom.
“Poker2Nite” then turned to discussion of the “PokerStars Big Game,” the online poker site’s answer to GSN’s “High Stakes Poker.” Sebok addressed the proliferation of poker television shows: “We are nearing the saturation point for bad poker television and that, to me, is the key. The bottom line is that people want to see good poker on television.” The “PokerStars Big Game” pits one online qualifier against a crop of PokerStars sponsored pros in a high-stakes cash game. The series will air on Fox.
WickedChops namesake Steve “Chops” Preiss then headed to Los Angeles to check in with Buss. The L.A. Lakers owner has been playing competitively for 10 years and discussed whether he’s ever entered the Big Game in Las Vegas: “I played a pretty big game at the Hustler one time, the Larry Flynt game. I played that twice, actually. Those people are just too good for me, so I limit myself to $500/$1,000 games.” He added that poker is an affordable way to spend time: “Compared to other hobbies that rich men have like yachts, this is very inexpensive.”
The popular “P2N Online” segment, hosted by Dana Workman, covered the latest news from Twitter and poker forums. TwoPlusTwo was buzzing about last week’s episode of “Poker2Nite,” during which Prahlad Friedman shattered Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash’s 60-second free throw record. Also making headlines was excessive name-dropping by UB.com front man Phil Hellmuth, who Tweeted, “Should I shoot a video for Ludacris in Vegas for a new song ‘Sex Room’ with Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler or go to the NAPT event at Mohegan Sun?” Hellmuth did not appear to make it to the East Coast casino.
Buffer discussed the parallels between UFC and poker: “The mental similarities of fighting and playing poker are there. You go in to knock the guy out or get knocked out.” Buffer also revealed that a poker room bearing his name is planned for the Luxor in Las Vegas. He explained where negotiations stand: “It looks like I’ll be having my own room in Las Vegas. We’re in final negotiations right now.” Buffer wrapped up his appearance by teaching Sebok how to make proper ring introductions, while co-host Scott Huff looked on.
The “Girls of Poker” segment featured UB.com pro Liv Boeree playing guitar at a studio at the Palms. She discussed her Maxim photo shoot, which included a now-infamous picture of the poker icon seated on a toilet. On the peculiar photograph, Boeree explained, “It was done as a laugh basically. It wasn’t my favorite one. I’m not actually taking a dump, it’s just tongue and cheek.” Boeree has a physics degree, is dating Allie Prescott, and is head over heels in love with the game of Razz.
Catch “Poker2Nite” every Wednesday at 11:00pm ET on Versus.
