Very interesting development today in competitive blackjack: Game Show Network has announced a new series of shows to begin in spring 2004, called 'World Series of Blackjack', featuring tournament blackjack and a prize pool of $250K. Read more here: GSN unveils first casino game series and, here: New York Post article
Please contact me at cbernstein@gsn.com if you are interedted in possibly participating in the World Series of Blackjack on Game Show Network
Lots more information now available, via this press release: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040109/laf023_1.html
I participated in this event this weekend, and I think this is going to make great television. All of the rounds had exciting finishes, and I'm very impressed with the people involved in producing the shows. This should be a fantastic development for tournament blackjack. The dates are not certain yet, but the tentative schedule is for these one hour shows to air weekly on GSN, starting in mid-March. Once the schedule firms up, I'll make sure to post an update at the main page. I can't discuss anything about the results until after the shows are broadcast, so you'll all have to wait and see how it turns out!
No, it's still premature for that question to be answered. The determining factor will be how successfully this translates into TV revenues. If the show is a success, I fully expect to see a lot of future opportunities arise. And, I'll say this: I expect these shows to be very successful. I think we're entering a whole new era of tournaments.
A day after I reply saying it's too soon to say whether future events will be held, I stand corrected! Today brought this press release from GSN: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040129/lath008_1.html In particular, this quote is relevant:
The player selection process is being discussed, but I know their current ideas include satellite events at various casinos. Some events around the country (and abroad for that matter) will offer seats in the televised events as a part of the prize structure. These events may be existing tournaments, or new events. Either way, we should see an increase in the number and size of tournaments as a result.
WSOBJ@Mohegan Sun I was a spectator at this event for 4 of the 7 rounds including the final table in its entirety. In keeping with what I take to be a good-faith restriction on comments on the outcome, I will mimic Ken and not reveal standings before the air date. [Ken here, as Administrator: At the request of a player in the finals, I've removed a comment from Jackaroo's post that could reveal the identity of that finalist. All will be revealed when the show broadcasts.] In addition to Ken, other noted participants were Stanford Wong and Anthony Curtis. All in all, it was quite interesting and even exciting at times. I'm sure the TV shows will be very enjoyable.
