PokerStars.tv To Screen First US Tournament Since 2010

Home » Poker News » PokerStars.tv To Screen First US Tournament Since 2010

Friday, August 22nd, 2014 | Written by Lucy Brown

PokerStars.tv has not screened a USA poker tournament since 2010 but this week it was announced that two final tables at the Florida Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, namely the $10 million guaranteed Main Event and the $100k High Roller, would be streamed live on the media.

What is PokerStars.tv

According to wikipedia, “PokerStars.tv is the online source for PokerStars TV shows, commercials and event highlight shows – with commentary and expert analysis available in up to 7 languages. The content available includes live cards-up coverage of the biggest PokerStars tournaments, TV shows such as The Million Dollar Challenge and PokerStars Big Game and online tournament highlights from WCOOP and SCOOP.”

PokerStars brand reintroduced to US audience

At a conference call held by Amaya Gaming Group on August 15, 2014, the company outlined its expansion plan for PokerStars, one vertical of which includes promoting the brand via brick-and-mortar poker rooms and live tournaments.

Since Black Friday, however, PokerStars has not formed a sponsorship deal with any US land based casino, but recently the poker room announced it would be providing a service for the Seminole Hard Rock Seminole, a Florida casino currently hosting the Hard Rock Poker Open taking place between August 14th and September 3rd.

In part, the move is designed to reintroduce US players to the PokerStars brand, as well as hopefully attracting back those players who moved to other countries, such as Canada or Mexico, following Black Friday. The strategy becomes even more productive considering rumours abound PokerStars may soon be making a much anticipated return to the regulated US iGaming market.

Players can buy in through PokerStars client

The huge guarantee on offer at the Florida Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open are sure to prove a big pull for many US players, who can now buy into the Main Event by accessing the site’s tournament lobby and using their funds to register for the $3,500 main event. Interestingly, though, US players will only be able to do this when outside of the country as players are still barred from registering for PokerStars real money tournaments stateside.

Controversy highlights need for dress code

PokerStars’ decision to broadcast the two Florida Seminole tournaments on PokerStars.tv was announced on the sidelines of the EPT Barcelona currently taking place in Spain. One of the televised events, however, has caused a certain amount of controversy after two of the finalists at the EPT Barcelona €50,000 Super High Roller choose the occasion to make political statements.

Eventual winner Olivier Busquet wore a T-shirt with the message “Save Gaza” written on the front, while Daniel Coleman sported a a similar message stating “Free Palestine.” Given the sensitivity of the subject in the USA, it wasn’t long before the final table broadcast over the Internet drew the ire of some viewers, with Cardplayer Lifestyle poker blog co-creator Robbie Strazynski, tweeting:

“Doesn’t matter what “side” you’re on. #EPTLive is embarrassing itself by allowing @DanielColman_ & @olivierbousquet to wear those t-shirts.”

No politics on TV poker tournaments

At a time when PokerStars is trying to ingratiate itself with US authorities, the need to keep controversial subjects away from the televised poker tables becomes even more important. Naturally, this point was not lost on Rational Group head of corporate communications, Eric Hollreiser, who subsequently issued a statement to pokerfuse, explaining:

“In retrospect it was a mistake to allow them entry. Our tournaments are designed to promote poker and poker competition and not as a platform for political statements. Players have many channels to express their views on world politics, but our tournaments are not an appropriate place. We will refuse entry to any player displaying political statements of any kind.”

Gaza an issue for PokerStars

This is not the first time the ongoing battle between Israel and Gaza has caused a volatile reaction amongst poker players, however, and last month PokerStars’ top sponsored player, Daniel Negreanu, stirred up a whole heated debate online after tweeting the following message:

“For the record Im 100% pro-Israel defending themselves against terrorist groups like Hamas and you aren’t going to change my mind on twitter.”

Amongst the poker pros lending their support to Negreanu’s stance was players such as Doyle Brunson, Yuval Bronshtein, and Eric Wasserson, while attacking the Canadian pro’s view was such pros as Phillip Colins and Sam Grafton. Needless to say, PokerStars will have to take better care in avoiding other sensitive subjects when showcasing its future events online or on TV.