Linda Johnson’s Favorite WPT Memories



I had the best job of anyone on the World Poker Tour. I got to travel all over the world, meet lots of awesome people, get my hair and makeup done, entertain an audience of poker players, and say “Shuffle Up and Deal!” I also got to work with an incredible crew including Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten. My job as the studio announcer was to call the action (announce bet amounts, hole cards when there was an all-in, winning hands, and new blind amounts) in order to keep the audience interested. I involved the audience by playing trivia with them during breaks, telling jokes, and introducing famous poker players and celebrities between hands. This led to a few awkward moments, of course. During a taping at the Commerce Casino, I saw Doyle Brunson walk in with someone I didn’t know and they sat down to watch. At the appropriate time, I said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are honored to have the legendary Doyle Brunson in our midst. Doyle, please give us a wave.” Doyle took off his Stetson, waved to the crowd, and he and his friend left a few minutes later. Shortly after that, the producer contacted me through ...

Related Articles

4 Comments

Sandra Steele

I respect Linda as a player and an author. If I see that she has written an article, I make sure that I read it. I am never disappointed and her latest WPT Favorite Moments is no different.


Jane Goldberg

Don’t feel badly about not realizing who Robert Duval was; the real celebrity of the two was Doyle, anyway. Of any job in the world ANYONE could have ever had, yours is the coolest! Thanks for sharing your memories with us!

Thanks, too for being approachable and nice when we regular folks talk to you. You could interact in one of two ways with fans and amatuers; you chose the path of interacting us that makes everyone who has met you, feel glad they met you! Truly, you are the First Lady of Poker. It is a title you certainly earned and really deserve.


valerie steinsmith

dear Linda. All the great memories your article brought back. It was reliving the tournaments again. What a wonderful article written by The First Lady of Poker.


Judy Taylor

Very nice article. If I may wax poetic: it is like a bracelet with each memory a flashing jewel. With a few words she took me with her and I was there enjoying behind the scenes moments of the WPT. I am not surprised. Linda can take a poker hand or poker situation and cut right through to the core elements. Please keep sharing what you know Linda!


Leave a Comment