While they are still in the midst of what is arguably one of their best seasons ever, the Heartland Poker Tour is ready to open up its broadcasts of its Season Eight schedule beginning this weekend.
The HPT broadcasts, which appear in syndication on over 250 television stations and is seen by over 100 million viewers across North America, will be featuring their steadfast broadcast team of Fred Bevill and Chris Hanson doing the commentary, but there is a new, familiar face that will be joining them for the Season Eight schedule. Eleven time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth will offer his insightful poker tips to viewers of the programs. This addition stays true to something that the HPT has done throughout its broadcast history.
“After eight years in the business, we’ve been fortunate to work with many of the legends of the game,” said HPT co-founder Greg Lang. In previous seasons of the HPT broadcasts, former World Champion Greg Raymer and perennial fan favorite Daniel Negreanu have both hosted the pro tips, which have been a big favorite of the viewers.
For what once started as a “regional” tour, the HPT has expanded its schedule since its inception eight years ago. Previously, the HPT was a very centralized tour, hitting Minnesota and surrounding Midwestern states. For their Season Eight schedule, the HPT makes stops in several casinos and card rooms throughout the United States, including Florida, Colorado, New Mexico and Missouri (just to name a few) and has even stepped into the bright lights of Las Vegas for their tournaments.
As the level of tournaments has gotten bigger, the production quality of the televised broadcasts has improved alongside. “Advancements in technology, investment in equipment and an experienced production team keep the show evolving,” said Bevill, who also wears the producer hat of the HPT broadcasts with his on-air duties. For the past season, the HPT was filmed with thirteen high-definition cameras on three different sets. In creating thirty to forty original episodes per season, the HPT provides year-round poker content and is one of the largest producers of poker programming in the world.
The Season Eight tournaments on the HPT have proven to be not only the “proving ground” for up and coming poker players but also a haven for some of the biggest names in the game. Current World Poker Tour Player of the Year leader Will “The Thrill” Failla was the champion of the 100th stop in HPT history at the River City Casino in St. Louis (with Hellmuth and fellow pro Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler cheering him on after they were eliminated in the event). Most recently, former WSOP November Niner Phil Collins defeated a stacked final table of opponents to win the HPT stop in Las Vegas.
There have been two players who have connected with fans during the HPT’s eighth season. One is Gary Lambert, the current leader of the HPT Player of the Year race, who has made two final tables during Season Eight. The other would be Terry Presley, who won the HPT Oklahoma and battled against Collins in Las Vegas. “Presley and Lambert are definitely players we’re focusing on in upcoming episodes,” said Bevill, adding, “It’s early in the season. The biggest stars of the year may be players we haven’t met yet.”
The next two weeks of broadcasts (check local listings for dates and times) will focus on the first ever venture by the HPT to the Daytona Beach Kennel Club & Poker Room in Florida. Beginning on May 17, Presley’s victory at the Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, OK, will be the focus over a fortnight. On May 31, the action will move to the River City Casino in St. Louis, MO, recounting Failla’s historic victory over a two week span.
With such great action on the tables, the HPT will deliver its excellent poker programming to a waiting public. If a potential viewer doesn’t have a station that provides the HPT broadcasts, the HPT will put them online for viewing for free two weeks after the episodes premiere. For more information on the Season Eight broadcasts, where future Season Eight tournaments will be held or general information about the tour, visit HPTpoker.com.