In my opinion, this was a landmark poker television event. One that I hope ESPN builds upon because your current television poker product sucks big dead donkey balls (WSOP dude...its shyt now and few on this forum would disagree). In fact, your current strategy and coverage HARMS poker in my opinion.

The PCA, however, was perfect. It didn't hurt that the winner folded a straight early during heads up and came back to win.

1. The almost real-time stream kept me hooked for the whole program (just like the live stream of the WSOP final table (obviously somebody has brains at ESPN because they figured out the poker community preferred that kind of coverage to your stale podunk product you put together for the masses).

2. The announcing team - Hartigan was spot on in his insight and a great counter to Danny, who should learn to throttle back a little so it doesn't become the Danny Negraneau PCA Carribean Adventure. Danny has SOLID commentating skills, but sometimes can't put the motor in neutral. Not everybody wants to know what Danny would do in that situation. On the other hand, Danny provided great insight as he went down his analysis ladder during critical hands. That was butter dude. You should lock both of them up for future telecasts, if that can be done. Since you are asking for feedback, really why do need Norm and Chad any longer for the WSOP? Poker is a grown up sport now ESPN, you don't dumb down your NFL Pre-Game show with Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee do you? Have some respect for the knowledge of the game your audience has.

3. What to do about "tanking" - show it where it means something and don't show it where it doesn't (most of the time because most of the time it isn't a tournament decision and the players are showboating). The time Galen took to decide some of those critical hands is an integral part of tournament poker. The commentary during these periods was good (Danny a little over bearing - silence is good sometimes during high tension moments - look to the best play-by-play announcing teams in other sports - they aren't running off when field goal kicker is attempting the winning super bowl kick)

4. Fix the delay with the hands showing.

5. It really was a Pokerstars commercial.

6. Tell David Williams the hood likes his "Gheri-Fro".

7. The lighting was dark, maybe it was the set, but I thought it was filmed in KGB's basement.

It will be sad if ESPN doesn't continue to evolve its coverage to meet the sophistication of the game while at the same time providing and exciting product for new and experienced players to watch. Simply put, great job!

Peace.

Well I just finished watching the the whole final table already knowing the end so obv I really liked it. One thing I sorta found annoying, and I know i'm the minority, is Daniel talked way way way too much. I don't think it's necessary to explain or comment on nearly every single move or action by the players and I don't think I've ever heard a commentator in any sport or event talk so damn much. James Hartigan's commentary on the other hand was perfect tempo, less chihuahua like.

The fact that there was no Norman Chad anywhere was FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!

Can we make the WSOP commented by REAL POKER PLAYERS and not some washed up hack writer ?????

OMG need to keep that hair going homie

AMAZING!!! I was extremely happy when I realized every single hand was being shown. Showing every hand lets you see the Eb and flow of poker just like how it really happens at the table. Showing just the flips or coolers isnt really poker. If you want to show people gambling you should just film a craps table. Poker is so much more than that. Thats why Poker After Dark is so successful, it lets your really get inside the players heads.

I play cash games only and even I found this format awesome. Watching these great players constantly adjusting their games to combat one another made for great TV imo. PLEASE I NEED MORE!!

This x1000. DN was so much better than I thought he'd be, he always brings an upbeat and entertaining nature to his commentary, but he was much more in-depth this time and most of his analysis was very strong. He may have been a bit too chatty but since the HU guys weren't really inteacting much (verbally anyhow) he filled the void well. Sure hope thay make this THE blueprint for future FT telecasts, not much to improve upon since there's been many good replies thus far. Also ditto the NO HELLMUTH IN THE BOOTH sentiments, the guys has gotten so pathetic.

Oh and also don't allow the chip splashing, no respect for the dealer there IMO.

I enjoyed the broadcast on ESPN2. I could not see it on ESPN3 because of Cablevision, so that was pretty annoying.

I heard it promoted as "all the hole cards" but it seemed the hole cards were only showed when the player put money in. In the heads up, it would have been interesting to see what kind of PF decisions the players had before folding. Also seeing folded cards is a little interesting on counting outs and seeing winning percentages.

Overall, I really enjoyed the ESPN2 broadcast. I put it on DVR and watched it over a couple of days. My own fault but I peeked on 2+2 and spoiled myself.

-Tom

There is one thing that I really liked that I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread. Specificially, I loved that there wasn't a live audience. That spared us from watching people walk around the room high five-ing, hugging, etc their buddies after a monster suckout (or even after a well played hand). To me, that has always been a bit of a distraction when watching poker on TV, and it was nice to not have to deal with it.

I also like how the broadcast team managed the breaks. Going to a second team to recap the action was a good idea. It kept the broadcast moving during a period that easily could have been one step above "dead air".

I also agree with most of the points that have already been made:
1) Commentary was great.
2) Seeing all cards would be better
3) Seeing every hand played was so much better than seeing just the "highlights"
4)etc etc etc

wat ?

It was great. More Please.

great show wish they showed everyones hole cards even the folded hands too

Is there anywhere to watch this replay on the internet?