Big Game V breaks new streaming ground - 13/06/2011
In another first for poker, the Matchroom Sport-produced PartyPoker.com Big Game V was streamed for 48 hours uninterrupted on the internet via www.pokernews.com and in a unique twist, as well as the players, the public also had their say in evicting players from the action!
There were also other interactive elements including competitions, interactive interviews and quizzes to keep stream viewers engaged throughout the event which took place at Dusk Till Dawn poker venue in Nottingham, UK, from 8pm Friday April 15th until 8pm on the Sunday 17th.
Among those competing in a very strong field were Tony G, Luke ‘Full Flush’ Schwartz, Dave ‘The Devilfish’ Ulliott, Sam Trickett, David ‘Viffer’ Peat, Annette Obrestad, Bruno Fitoussi, Neil Channing, Jennifer Tilly, Roberto Romanello, Robert Williamson III, Toby Lewis, Andrew Feldman, Alec Torelli, JP Kelly and Mike Matusow.
Eight ‘PartyPoker.com Wildcard’ online qualifiers from the ‘Road to the Big Game’ promotion also had an opportunity to play after winning $15,000 packages. Like last year’s highly successful event, the players entered to their own walk-on music, to compete in £25/£50 No Limit Hold ‘Em with straddles determined by the players at the table.
Extra money was added through the £500 PokerNews pot every four hours and evictions alternated between the players deciding and the viewers of the stream deciding.
A PartyPoker.com spokesman said: “The innovation of introducing streaming and evictions made for engaging viewing. This was no ordinary poker live stream, and the viewers saw hole cards, graphics and top commentary from Jesse May and a variety of co-commentators over 48 hours.
Eddie Hearn, Managing Director of Matchroom Sport said: “The atmosphere on the set of the PartyPoker.com Big Game is like no other. The players play with their own money and the action is raw and the banter is hilarious as the players drift in and out of delirium over the 48 hour period.
“I'm delighted that poker fans were be able to watch the action as it happened and believe this stream was one of the most popular ever broadcast within the game.”
The first show of the Big Game was on Tuesday 7th June on Sky Sports HD2 at 11pm and will run for 20 weeks.
|
