If it weren't a great enough feat to have poker tournaments featured on cable networks such as ESPN and Bravo, NBC has plans to declare its intentions to join the poker frenzy. NBC is expected to announce plans to produce and air the National Heads-Up Poker Championship to be held at the Golden Nugget casino in Las Vegas in March.

The Texas Hold'em tournament is set to air on NBC for four straight Sundays in May. The grand finale will feature a two hour showdown on the 22nd of May. The tournament's format will resemble that of NCAA basketball, with its 64 players going head-to head against each other, with contenders being weeded out until one player is left standing. The tournament's buy-in is $20,000 and the grand prize is $500,000.

NBC got the idea to produce a poker tournament from one of its producers, who has experience working with NASCAR and the Olympics. After surveying a number of potential locations to hold the tournament, NBC settled on Las Vegas. Star players expected to participate include Doyle Brunson, Howard Lederer, Johnny Chan, Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer.

Will NBC stop there? Not likely. A source for NBC was quoted saying that the network might consider entering the bidding to host the World Series of Poker.

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Monday, 14 February 2005