last year they got 52 and it was a 10k, this year they've lowered it to a 5k which should double the turnout. then they got it televised so that should add an extra 50-75 players but a lot of players don't even know about that.
i think next year they'll draw 300+ that is if they actually get on the air
over/under on the 5k main is gonna be around 150 IMO...foxwoods just wrapped up and people will be in town for BG's 1500 deep stack that starts this weekend...only other series going on are on the west coast so I think the 5k should grab a decent number of East Coasters...and the amazing structure/spike TV contract doesn't hurt either...and i WOULD be shocked if the ME got over 200...but I was also shocked by Foxwoods 10k turnout (353)..but since Fwoods runs a ridiculous number of sattys, its a tough comparison...
ehh not exactly...taj is a dirtbox...i dont think they've washed their chips since 1999...the regular stabbings that occur outside the poker room aren't exactly helping them draw players either...
ehh not exactly...taj is a dirtbox...i dont think they've washed their chips since 1999...the regular stabbings that occur outside the poker room aren't exactly helping them draw players either...
tournie chips seemed ok to me...and by ok i mean they were not black like most of their chips.
I got a long promotional email today about the television coverage. I was going to copy/paste it here, but then I noticed:
Quote:
The information transmitted via this e-mail is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or pursuing of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you are the recipient of this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.
I got a long promotional email today about the television coverage. I was going to copy/paste it here, but then I noticed:
Todd Terry wtf is that?
It's standard boilerplate for certain types of emails (like those sent by attorneys). I would assume it was attached in error if it was an email promoting the tournament.
Trump Taj Mahal is proud to announce that after a one-year absence, the United States Poker Championship is returning to national television. The Atlantic City casino has signed a five year deal with Las Vegas based Compass Entertainment LLC to produce and nationally air the U.S.P.C., Trump’s ‘signature’ annual poker extravaganza that attracts players from around the world. The 2009 U.S.P.C. will run from November 2 – 24, culminating with a $5,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em Championship Event beginning on November 20th. Compass senior executives brokered the deal with the Taj and put together the nationwide cablecast with the edgy Spike Network that will serve as this year’s network home for the tourny. A Compass spokesman remarked, “We are ecstatic to be teamed up with Trump Entertainment and we look forward to delivering a top notch production”.
Tom Gitto, Director of Poker Operations at Trump Taj Mahal says, “It’s hugely exciting to have the U.S.P.C. back on national TV. We knew that in order to ensure that the U.S.P.C. would be more attractive to poker players, we would need a solid TV deal. The entire Trump organization is firmly committed to doing something special each year to make the U.S.P.C. sizzle, so this year we’ve added a $2,500 buy-in Pot Limit Omaha Championship Event, which will be televised as well. The Taj is also organizing High-Stakes Cash Games on Sunday, November 15th and Sunday November 22nd. The public is invited to come down to Atlantic City and catch all the action in person. National Television exposure is critical to the players,” said Gitto, “Where else can such a leap of fame and prosperity take place virtually instantaneously, but in a nationally televised poker tournament?” In fact, Gitto pointed out that many of the current superstars of poker either began or furthered their climb to the pinnacle of the poker world while playing at the Taj during previous U.S.P.C. events, including household names in poker lore such as Ivey, Hellmuth, Hennigan, Men The Master, Seidel, Juanda, Corkins, Phan, Liebert, Nguyen, and Feguson, just to name a few. The U.S.P.C. resided on ESPN for many years until its previous long-term deal with the Taj expired. Past U.S.P.C. championship events still air periodically on ESPN Classics.
Taj Casino Manager Frank Leone thought the new deal with Compass was a “no-brainer” and says “We look forward to a long and successful TV partnership with the Compass Entertainment organization. They have the capability to capture the excitement of the U.S.P.C. in a fresh and exciting way, differentiating this marquee event from other televised poker tournaments”.
Compass CEO Greg McDonald, long time personal manager, concert promoter and TV-Film producer, has a long and wide-ranging track record across many aspects of the entertainment industry. He actually first came to Las Vegas as an aide to Elvis Presley’s legendary manager Col Tom Parker in the 1960s. McDonald has had a hand in producing a number of feature length motion pictures, including the poker movie titled “Deal” staring Burt Reynolds. McDonald is the President and CEO of Compass Entertainment, as well as the Publisher of Rounder Magazine, the ‘Casino Lifestyle Magazine,’ which focuses on two of men’s favorite pastimes: poker and beautiful women. Rounder has become well known throughout the gaming industry for ‘spicing up’ poker tournaments.(see www.rounderlife.com) with a bevy of its “Rounder Girls”. If the televised poker tournament is anything like the magazine, you can expect to see plenty of these fetching young ladies throughout the event.
For those players seeking a little extra excitement during the 2009 U.S.P.C. there will also be several special events, including a charity, celebrity golf tournament. The event, The 1st Annual Boomer Esiason Foundation Cystic Fibrosis Fall Classic, will be held on Saturday, November 14th, at 10:00 a.m. For further information on the golf outing, night clubs, private parties and complete tournament details, please visit www.trumptaj.com Players can reserve their tournament seats NOW on line at www.ptseats.com Daily flights are available into Atlantic City International Airport, visit www.sjta.com/acairport/ for links to ACY’s available carriers. For hotel room reservations at the Taj Mahal please call 1-800-72-POKER. With over 2000 rooms including the beautiful new Chairman’s Tower, our great tournament rates ($65 midweek and $85 Fri-Sat.) are sure to go fast. Hope to see you at the 2009 U.S.P.C.. Good luck!
Why all the exuberance for Spike TV? If it were ESPN like back in the old days I would understand it. Is this really going to sway anybody to play a 5K that wouldn't have? I don't get it.
Why all the exuberance for Spike TV? If it were ESPN like back in the old days I would understand it. Is this really going to sway anybody to play a 5K that wouldn't have? I don't get it.
I have no particular exuberance for tv coverage, but the fact that the cameras are there plus chopping the buyin down to a manageable $5k and actually making people aware of this event weeks (even months!) in advance gives me reasons to think it will draw well.
hey guys jus wonderin if ne 1 really understands this rounder girl bounty 4 sundays event does ne 1 think iT will B A bigger turnout thanks
I am wondering same thing. I can't play at Borgata 3 day tourney this week, but am considering this one day at Taj. Haven't played at Taj in years and don't want to make the drive down if this event isn't worth it.
