The World Poker Tour (WPT) has one slot available on its broadcast team. For Season 9, an Average Joe can join the likes of Poker Hall of Fame member Mike Sexton, WPT Co-Host Vince Van Patten, and floor reporter Kimberly Lansing on the WPT’s broadcast team.
One lucky fan will appear in an on-air segment called the “Raw Deal.” A press release distributed by WPT officials on Friday details what the roving tournament series is looking for in its newest on-camera talent: “If you’re opinionated, fearless, watch and play hours of poker, and find yourself offering brilliant insight from the comfort of your couch, it’s time for you to take a new seat – right next to WPT stars Mike Sexton, Vince Van Patten, and Kimberly Lansing. Plus, get your chance to share the screen with the stunning WPT Royal Flush Girls.”
The Royal Flush Girls were a new addition to the WPT for Season 9, which kicked off its U.S. leg last month at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, site of the annual Bellagio Cup. Lansing also re-joined the crew after a two-season hiatus. Tour staff will next head to the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles for the Legends of Poker, which plays out from August 20th to 25th.
Only poker fans who are 21 years of age or older are eligible to host the “Raw Deal.” There are two ways to enter. First, aspiring poker commentators can head to the Bike in Los Angeles on August 19th from 11:00am to 8:00pm. During the nine-hour window, WPT officials will be feverishly setting up for the Legends of Poker and a bevy of poker aficionados will be testing their skills on the small screen.
If going to the Bicycle Casino isn’t in the cards, then you can make your way online to the WPT’s website and watch a hand between UB.com pro Phil Hellmuth and Andy “BKiCe” Seth that took place at the Bay 101 Shooting Star event in March. In it, Hellmuth limped pre-flop with pocket queens and Seth, holding A-J of clubs, raised to 80,000. Hellmuth re-raised to 280,000 and Seth, after a brief tanking, moved all-in.
Hellmuth’s out-loud thinking began: “I have a bad feeling you have kings. I just don’t know what I can do about it.” Hellmuth ultimately made the call for his tournament life and the flop came K-6-5. The turn was a 10, adding a straight draw for Seth, and the river was an ace. Then, the Hellmuth meltdown commenced. The UB.com pro, dressed in all black, held his head in his hands and walked offstage before crouching down on the ground in agony in what Van Patten dubbed a “fetal, jailhouse kind of position.”
Interested “Raw Deal” candidates are asked to create a 45-second video about the eventful hand and Hellmuth’s ensuing theatrics in an editorial format. Then, they should upload the video to the WPT’s Facebook page or its “Raw Deal” landing page for consideration. The top 10 vote-getters will receive automatic callbacks for the open position, while the top 25 will receive a gift pack. Videos will be accepted until August 15th at 11:59pm PT.
The finalists will be announced on August 17th and videos began being pouring in three days ago. Text found on the WPT’s website notes that the ideal candidate will be “opinionated and outspoken” and the job is not a union position. Additionally, all submissions must have the phrase “on the World Poker Tour” at least once.
Besides the additions of Lansing and the Royal Flush Girls, the WPT also signed Matt Savage as its Executive Tour Director for Season 9. Savage is a co-founder of the Tournament Directors Association and orchestrates high-profile events like the Bay 101 Shooting Star tournament and the L.A. Poker Classic. Party Gaming purchased the WPT last August.
Visit the official landing page of the “Raw Deal” for more information.
