It seems like just a little over a week ago that I was applauding ESPN's decision to show non-Hold 'Em events from the World Series of Poker. Well, now it's time for me to turn around and spit right in the Ocho's face.
Today I watched the Ladies Limit Hold 'Em event. Now, I'm not against a Girls Only tournament event. I guess maybe there's a snowball's chance that it helps attract women to the game, perhaps. On the other hand, it implies that men have some kind of advantage over women at card games, which is pretty stupid. So maybe the glass is half full, or the other one. I don't really care.
What bothers me is, well, complicated. Allow me to explain.
You see, this event is pretty low-level. It has the cheapest buy-in of the tournament ($1000), and the winner gets about $60,000. None of the women at the final table are particularly well-known players (though some were the wives of celebrities).
All of this would be fine, except that at the same time, about five yards from the final table, they were playing the Omaha Hi-Lo event. The buy-in is $2000; top prize is almost $140000; and Omaha Hi-Lo is tons more fun than boring old limit hold 'em.
Occasionally, during the Ladies event, they would break away to take a look at the Omaha event's final table. This is because, in keeping with the show's Girl Power! theme, one of the three remaining players was Annie Duke -- sister of Howard Lederer and one of the most famous players around. According to Binion's, in terms of cash earnings Annie is the most successful female player in the tournament's history, though she's never won a tournament (and the coveted bracelet that comes with it). Why wasn't Duke at the Ladies Event, you ask? In an interview, she said she thinks it's silly -- she's not afraid to play with the boys, and she can beat them. Awesome.
Also at the last table was Erik Seidel, who you might remember losing the World Series on the tape Matt Damon watches in Rounders. So, this was a pretty seriously awesome last table.
Sure enough, in an emotional finish, Annie Duke wins her first WSOP bracelet. But ESPN thought it would be a better idea to cover the big showdown between a nail technician, and a hair stylist. Neither of whom you've heard of. And the nail technician won! Great! I care!
OK, OK, so probably they can only have one camera-table or something. So they probably had to choose long in advance and chose the ladies event to attract a new demographic. Actually those are pretty good arguments. OK, you've convinced me. But I wish I could've watched Annie Duke win.
We were talking about that while we were watching it. It seems silly to have women's-only game in the first place, since there's no reason women couldn't play poker as well as men. And the Omaha Hi-Lo would be more fun to watch (although much harder to explain to the casual viewer).
Oh well, here's the rest of the TV schedule... they are showing some pot-limit Omaha in a couple weeks. (And even some razz!)
Damn you people and your Cable. To hell with you I say!
Agree wholeheartedly. Can't wait to watch the rest of them; Pup, let me tell, nothing more fun than cable AND tivo. I can watch it whenever I want, and since they are re-running them pretty often, you can pick and choose the ones you want to see.
I don't want to see the Ladies Final.
And another thing: when broadcasting a seven-card stud tournament, show the upcards! Seven stud makes no sense when you can't see everyone's upcards! Darnit.