On Tuesday, the World Poker Tour (WPT) announced a partnership with PokerRoad.com that will see Poker Road Radio broadcast shows from WPT stops across the country. ClubWPT will sponsor the popular online radio show, which is hosted by a bevy of media personalities and poker pros.
“This is an ideal partnership matching two of the best brands in poker,” said Steve Heller, WPT CEO. “Live broadcasts will bring additional energy to WPT events and working with PRR will lead to a social media explosion for both companies.”
The first show under the new partnership was aired on Tuesday at the WPT’s L.A. Poker Classic. Long-time Poker Road fixtures Scott Huff and Joe Stapleton hosted the show and among the many topics discussed was the tournament’s final table. Bluff Magazine’s Jessica Welman and guest Darryl Fish, who entered the final table fifth in chips, joined them.
Poker Road Radio will next travel to the Seminole Hard Rock Showdown and close out the season at the WPT World Championship. The show will present three live episodes per tournament with interviews with final table members and the game’s top pros. The agreement will extend into WPT Season X, as Poker Road Radio will be on site for all events held in Los Angeles and Las Vegas as well as the Borgata Poker Open and Seminole Hard Rock Showdown.
“Poker Road is thrilled to be working with the World Poker Tour again,” said Court Harrington, Poker Road executive and show host. “Over the years, many of the classic episodes of Poker Road Radio have taken place around WPT tournaments and we eagerly look forward to working closely with the WPT to put out great content for poker fans around the globe.”
Poker Road will also feature “The Jess and B.J. Show” as part of the partnership. The videocast brings news and humor from the WPT and features Welman and B.J. Nemeth. The series has developed a loyal following in a short period of time. Welman and Nemeth were regular hosts of the award-winning poker radio show/podcast “The Poker Beat,” which aired its finale on Poker Road in January.
“I think the partnership is great for all parties involved and a natural fit, especially for ‘The Jess and BJ Show,'” Welman told Poker News Daily. “I know some people have said they miss ‘The Poker Beat’ already, so I can only hope that having our show hosted on Poker Road fills that void in some respect.”
Poker Road Radio began airing 2007 and has featured personalities such as Joe Sebok, Gavin Smith, Ali Nejad, Jeremiah Smith, Bryan Devonshire, and Jimmy Fricke. The show collected enough front men to form “A” and “B” teams while traveling the circuit in 2009. Smith hosted the show during the World Series of Poker in 2010, with Fricke, Harrington, and Devonshire acting as guest hosts.
Meanwhile, the WPT aired its first episode of Season IX on Sunday, February 13th on Fox Sports Net. The debut show had a new look with the addition of the Royal Flush Girls and “Raw Deal” commentator Tony Dunst. Episodes can be seen on at 8:00pm every Sunday.
The final table of the WPT L.A. Poker Classic will get underway on Thursday at 4:00pm PT. Stay tuned for Poker News Daily for results.