HSP is BACK!

I just got an email from AJ Benza and he said he just got word that High Stakes Poker will be back for another season!!

I don't have any of the details and since I'm on vacation I won't be digging for any, but the good news is the Ante Up Nation came through for the best show on television! Ante Up . . . ain't it a bitch!

-- Chris

Episode #156: AJ Benza

MAIN TOPIC
AJ Benza calls us all the way from Hollywood as he waits for the unlikely news that GSN will pick up High Stakes Poker, the hugely popular show he co-hosts with Gabe Kaplan, for another season. We talk cards, and he dishes on celebrities, pasta and The Godfather. Click here to listen to the episode.

OTHER TOPICS

World Series: The WSOP has begun. Attendance is breaking records, and pros are faring well. We'll update the blog after each event when the WSOP certifies the results as official.

UB scandal: Many of you asked us to address the latest scandal at Ultimate Bet. We do, but caution again: online poker is the wild, wild West.

PPA ups the ante: The Poker Players Alliance wants to turn its free members into dues-paying members by offering perks for those who do.

Deadbeat dads: If you're a parent who's walked on out child support, shame on you. But if you have no shame, you might want to avoid casinos in Colorado and West Virginia. Those states will look for you there.

Hotline: We have a little fun with Mike from New Jersey, who finds out how hard it is to analyze a hand on the fly.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: Derby Lane is sending four players to the WSOP. Good luck to them, and all the other bay area players who have or will qualify in local card rooms.

HAND OF THE WEEK
Adam from Dedham, Mass., gives us an excuse to revisit strategy for FullTilt's cheap Knockout tournaments, where you get money for each person you felt. He calls a raise with As-10s, and the flops a royal flush draw. Try to take it down quickly? Or wait to hit your hand, figuring that early in a tournament like this you'll get paid off? He chooses the latter and is put to the test when he doesn't improve on the turn but two players move all-in. He calls, hits and goes on to cash - picking up bounties along the way.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW
Chris is on the road, and unlike Scott who goes to wild and exotic and different locations on each vacation, he's going back to Connecticut yet again. Let's hope he has time to make it over to Foxwoods and even Mohegan Sun.

- SCOTT

We made the 4 p.m. news!

One of our listeners, Michael Weber, is a producer for Channel 10 news and recently visited our studios and produced a news segment on us. It just ran on the news, but here is a link so you can check it out.

-- Chris

PAD editing: Brilliant or horrible? UPDATE!

Photo courtesy of NBC

Last night I watched the first episode of Analysts Week on Poker After Dark and I have to admit it wasn't easy. These guys were all talking up a storm, which is fine because that's really what the producers want. But one end of the table would talk about one story and the other end of the table would talk about another one. I'd start listening to one story and then the mikes would get turned up on the other end of the table and I'd lose track of the first story. And even the players were getting ticked off at Ali Nejad. He took like three minutes to act whenever he had a hand, and it was mostly because he was TALKING!

But nothing was worse than when Chad Brown was trying to tell a story of a prop bet with Mike "The Mouth" Matusow and he couldn't finish his story because Robert Williamson wouldn't shut up. Williamson kept talking and saying he knew what the prop bet was and that he had heard it already. WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY? I sat there and paused the TiVo and SCREAMED at the television for RWIII to SHUT UP!!! And wouldn't you know it, when he finally let Chad tell the story the damn episode ended and he never finished!!

I didn't tune in after 2 a.m. this morning to see if they actually let the rest of the story be broadcast or if it ended up on the cutting room floor. I couldn't find the episode online yet, so I'll have to wait till I get home. But if that story isn't completed I'll be ticked off ... almost as mad as I am at David Goldhill of GSN!!!

Regardless if I get to hear the rest of the story, I can't decide if this was a brilliant piece of editing or just a terrible mistake. If I wasn't such a die-hard fan of poker I might be discouraged enough to say "Screw this show!" and not watch it. It was a very frustrating episode.

UPDATE: OK, so I had a chance to watch the second show and they returned to Chad Brown's story about his prop bet with Matusow, and they even made a point of having the substitute announcer (a job I COVET) say "And now Chad Brown continues telling his prop bet story." So, my final verdict is this editing job was both brilliant and horrible. Brilliant because it got me to write about it today (and I'll likely talk about it on the show) but horrible because of how ticked off it made me and obviously others since people posted here with the same feelings. In the end it was a good move for PAD because any publicity is good publicity and I fell for it. Oh, and by the way, the story was a HUGE letdown.

-- Chris

An open letter to GSN CEO David Goldhill

To: David Goldhill, new CEO of Game Show Network

Dear Mr. Goldhill,

My name is Christopher Cosenza and I represent a very powerful group: the Ante Up! Nation. I'm writing this letter to help you understand the importance of High Stakes Poker on Game Show Network. True, poker isn't a game show, and so under that argument you win, but it is a game ... of skill. Of course I'd argue Love Connection isn't exactly a game show either, but I digress.

Word is you may dislike having HSP on your network because it's "gambling." Well, I'm here to tell you poker is less like gambling than nearly every show on your schedule. Let's take Press Your Luck for instance. Aside from some mindless trivia to earn a spin, those contestants are merely playing an oversized antiquated slot machine. There's no skill involved. Sure, they may have a strategy when deciding to pass or press, but let's be fair: There's no skill in Press Your Luck. In fact, I would venture to say 95 percent of all of your shows are based on chance and luck (hell, it's right there in the title!). And don't get me started on BINGO AMERICA!

Poker, on the other hand, is a test of skill, cunning and psychology. Sure, large sums of money are involved, but what game show doesn't have large sums of money these days? Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Again, it's right there in the title. And if we're being completely honest, your job is to secure ratings and revenue, is it not? Name ONE other non-poker show where contestants put up THEIR OWN MONEY? You can't. Sure, the poker players get paid a nominal fee to be on your show, but that merely adds up to one big blind for these talented indivuduals. And, your overhead must be extremely small on a show like this: The set is all but provided by the casino, the cameras are at most a handful and the salaries of the hosts are minimal. Sure, there's a crew and production, but what show doesn't have that? It's part of running a network.

On behalf of the Ante Up! Nation and all TV poker fans out there, I'm asking you to please pick up the phone and call Mori Eskandani and order another season of High Stakes Poker.

-- Chris Cosenza, Ante Up! co-host and High Stakes Poker fan

High Stakes Poker cancelled? UPDATE!

I awoke this morning to news that High Stakes Poker on GSN may be in trouble. Numerous sites are reporting the HSP folks haven't filmed a new season yet and there doesn't seem to be plans to either. Pokerati.com quoted AJ Benza in its report as well, and AJ doesn't seem happy: "Far as Gabe and I know ... the show isn't coming back." Also CardPlayer talked with Mori Eskandani of POKER PROductions and he confirms that GSN hasn't ordered any new episodes yet. Here is the story.

Dennis Oehring at Poker PROductions emailed me today and here's what he said: "Many decisions about poker are currently being made by GSN, which is under new leadership since the departure of ex-CEO Rich Cronin. But I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that POKER PROductions has never been notified of the show being cancelled, despite what you may have read from the so-called pundits out there. I suspect we will know a lot more about the course of GSN's future programming after next Saturday (May 24), the deadline for them to decide whether to renew the WPT's contract for Season 7. Once we hear, I will be sure to let the poker community know."

If this news becomes official I'll be handing in my digital cable box ASAP! GSN is the only reason I got the box in the first place. For those of you who haven't listened to our latest show yet, I mentioned High Stakes while I talked to Justin Bonomo. Will HSN go the way of Courtney Friel, Sabina Gadecki and Shana Hiatt by joining the curse of Ante Up? For the first time I truly hope not.

Sad day for poker if this is true.

UPDATE: Mori has gotten back to me and he apparently read the blog because here's his response when I asked him if GSN cancelled his show: We have gotten no such a notice. Our relationship with GSN remains as strong as ever. We respect any decision that they make regarding poker in general and HSP in particular. Last time I spoke to them, the network was trying to figure out if poker can work/exists in the direction that they like to take their future programming. It is totally possible that we get a call tomorrow and receive an order for more seasons. NO ONE KNOWS. Please don't return your cable box just yet.

-- Chris

Episode #151: World Series of Poker preview

MAIN TOPIC

Responding to the day's big story, we called an audible and devoted this show to a look-ahead to the upcoming World Series of Poker, which begins May 30, and the announcement that the final table of the Main Event will be delayed 117 days to build anticipation. We summarize a media conference call led by WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack, and also include a recording of that entire call at the end of the show. Click here to listen to the show.

OTHER TOPICS

Sweden doesn't mess around: Two guys who lacked the proper permits to host a poker tournament in Sweden have six to eight months to reflect on that mistake - in a Swedish jail.

Hotline: Listener BitGuru calls in with a buffet of comments, including a question about whether the Mirage keeps those dollars they collect from the Texas Hold'em Plus redraws. Nope - they go straight into the pot.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: I ventured out to Lucky's at Tampa Greyhound Track, and was surprised to find not one limit game going at all, and that you can buy into the $1/$2 no-limit for as little as $20. If you're in a charitable mood, help out the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hernando County in a $100 tournament on May 18. For details, call (727) 233-1018.

HAND OF THE WEEK

A new listener Trey writes in with a hand from Ante Up!'s official game - razz.

He starts perfect - 2/3 underneath, with an Ace up. He completes, gets raised and reraises. We like it so far.

On Fourth Street, he picks up a 7 and keeps the pressure on. A Q/6 and a 3/8 come along.

On Fifth Street, the bricks start falling. He gets a J, keeps the pressure on, but can't shake the Q/6/4 or 3/8/K.

On Sixth Street, it's a mixed bag. He gets a 9, but the 3/8/K/5 is stubborn.

The river improves him to an 8 low, and he's lucky he's not raised by his opponent, who takes down the pot with a 7-5.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW

We're beginning to sound a little like Jimmy Kimmel ("... our apologies to Matt Damon") each week as we delay yet again our Dissection of a HORSE Tournament show. We'll try again next week.

- SCOTT

TV poker: good for something after all

Last night I had a chance to finally watch Monday's WPT event on GSN. It was the Mandalay Bay tournament from the 2007 season and I decided to watch with Joe Navarro's eyes. Instead of watching for enjoyment or seeing what sick hands would be dealt, I focused on tells. It's not as simple as it may seem because the editing of the show takes away from seeing their reactions when they see the flop, etc. I picked up a few, but there was one very clear tell displayed when the tournament got heads up, and I truly believe it was the difference between winning and losing.

Jared "TheWacoKidd" Hamby, pictured, was about even in chips with Shawn Buchanan when the following hand came up: Hamby had something like A-10 (yes, I know, the Cosenza) and raised preflop. Buchanan called with 33. The flop came somewhat ragged, but I think a queen was in there. Here's where it gets interesting: Hamby, an online pro with a lot of live success as well, bet out fairly quickly and Buchanan called. That's a tell in itself because he's trying to make Buchanan think his hand is so strong he doesn't even have to think to bet. Buchanan may have picked up on this, but that's not the tell I want to discuss. As soon as Buchanan called, Hamby stopped chewing his gum (something he did almost feverishly throughout the match) and when the turn paired Hamby fired out a huge bet. THEN he covered his mouth with the back of his hand. He NEVER did this throughout the whole broadcast. He looked so very nervous when he made that bet. Buchanan had to pick up on this classic tell because he called him all the way down and won with 33!!! This tell is often brought up by Mike Caro, especially in his Book of Tells. When someone is bluffing sometimes they cover their mouth in an effort to "stop the lie" from being told or to cover a smirk. Right after that HUGE hand he did it again later on when he had air. It was classic and something he should work on when he's under stress. He was visibly upset at that point, getting up and pacing and complaining to his horde in the audience that he couldn't believe he called the turn there. "I knew he was weak!" He said. Actually, Jared was the one who was weak, in the Tells Dept.

They both played very well and it was this little tell that probably made the difference between winning and losing. Kudos to Buchanan for picking up on it and cashing in on the title. But if you haven't read Caro's book you should. And of course pick up any of Navarro's books as well. And if you have ANY tells you've seen please list them here I'd love to read about them.

-- Chris

Episode #150: More poker camps

MAIN TOPIC
Chris steered the Family Truckster over to Orlando to check in on our good friend Kenna James and the Amateur Poker League. While there, he nabbed some great interviews about poker camps with Steve Berman, co-founder of the WPT Boot Camp, and online pro Nick Brancato. Be sure to check out Ante Upper Lee Childs' new Web site, too. Click here to hear the show.

OTHER TOPICS

Texas Hold'em Plus: The Mirage in Las Vegas is testing this new variation. Don't like one of your hole cards? Simply slide it with a chip equal to the small blind to the dealer and you'll get a shiny new card.

PPA update: The Poker Players Alliance (now with more than 1,000,000 members) has formed a new political action committee called PokerPAC.

Housekeeping: Starting next week, Ante Up! will be posted to the Web on Thursdays ... And listen to the show on Rounders Radio on Saturdays ... Don't forget about AIPS this Saturday and on May 22 ... Join Fasso and me in Las Vegas during the World Series of Poker. Click here for early details.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: A One-Eyed Jack's regular wins a huge pot o' gold in Europe ... Florida Senate Bill 1006 would expand hours for cardrooms and allow for high-stakes and charity/celebrity tournaments, but don't get excited, as it's stalled in the House.

One Minute Mystery: Columbo decides he's likely beat, so he mucks his second pair. Turns out, his opponent was on a brazen bluff with a weak flush draw and gutter.

HAND OF THE WEEK
An anonymous caller rings in to tell us about a no-limit hand where he called a min raise with 7-3 in the big blind and saw a pretty darn nice flop of 7-7-7. He got his opponent to bet the entire way, taking down a very nice pot. Getting paid off on a monster is one of the hardest things to do in poker. We share some tips.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW
Until Chris changes his mind again, it'll be our rescheduled Dissection of a HORSE Tournament.

- SCOTT

NHUPC Update

OK, after further investigation, CNBC will be airing NBC's National Heads Up Poker Championships' individual (and uninterrupted) episodes a week late. So if your NBC program is being pre-empted (like it is here in the Tampa Bay area) and you don't get to see the entire episode (or any at all for that matter), then tune in to CNBC the following Saturday and you'll catch the repeat. My TiVo wasn't picking up this selection because I had eliminated CNBC from my channel settings (I mean, who really watches this channel anyway, right?). After I reset the channel setting then the option for a season pass was revealed. My episodes are being broadcast twice on the ensuing Saturdays at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET. It may be a week late, but at least it's not clipped.
-- Chris