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The World Poker Tour (WPT) has announced the launch of a brand new, exclusive super high roller series: Alpha8. The international high stakes tournaments would be broadcast on the FOX Sports 1 channel, kicking off in March 2014.
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A new, international, televised high stakes series has been introduced by WPT. The exclusive super high roller tournaments will feature buy-ins of at least $100,000 and events will take place at the most prestigious venues around the world. The structures are designed by WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage and the broadcast will be able to boast four hours of action from each stop with the most renowned players participating.
The Alpha8 series will be televised by FOX Sports 1 from March 2014 onwards, but the more impatient can watch the actions on live stream at the WPT website.
“Showcasing the world’s poker elite and featuring multimillion dollar prize pools, Alpha8 represents the highest televised treatment of super high-roller tournament poker to date. Playing out over a global stage, this series will give audiences insight into the intensity and skill demanded at the sport’s highest levels,” WPT President Adam Pliska said.
The first event is the WPT Alpha8 Florida, kicking off on 26 August, 2013 as Event #23 of the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, as a prestigious addition to the already exciting schedule that includes a Main Event with the largest guaranteed prize pool around, $10 million.
A unique set is designed for the WPT Alpha8 series and it will be anchored by the always lovely Lynn Gilmartin, among other hosts. FOX Sports 1 means the series to be central in the network’s programming with a primetime screening at 22:00 ET on Sundays in the spring of 2014. The four-hour long broadcast allows for an “in-depth coverage of all the play down to the final table” with a detailed view of the strategies and bragging of the players at the table.
“WPT Alpha8 will be a key part of our primetime line up and a tremendous complement to our other sports programming including MLB, NASCAR, UFC, soccer, and college basketball and football. With this new series, WPT has significantly raised the stakes of televised poker. By increasing the risk and raising the pressure, WPT Alpha8 delivers more drama and bigger personalities, and we’re confident the show will quickly become a habit for our viewers,” David Sussin, FOX Sports 1’s Vice President of Programming said.