Jennifer Newell

As was the case last Monday, I have no one topic in particular for this week's blog, so you're going to get a mish mash (I'm sure that's proper English) of topics here.

The Legends of Poker is still going on here in L.A. at the Bicycle Casino. The WPT main event will begin this Saturday the 25th. Lots of pros are already here in town trying to gobble up the L.A. fish in the cash games, and the main event always attracts a good crowd. The problem this year will be getting media reports. As many of you know, and as Gary discussed with Lance from PokerBiz on last week's show on Rounders Radio, the WPT has declared Card Player the official provider of live updates for WPT tournaments. What this means is that no other media outlet is allowed to be there for chip counts, on-the-spot interviews, hand analysis, or final table coverage. I've been told that I'll be able to get inside the ropes for a short period of time every once in awhile (ahhh, WSOP memories flooding back), but I'll basically be relegated to the rail. WPT isn't even handing out official media badges anymore, except to themselves and Card Player. While it's true that I'm only going to be there to get the gist of things and write a tournament report for a magazine after it's all said and done, I truly feel for the crews of PokerWire, PocketFives, PokerListings, and the other media who depend on tournament reporting for income. I'll be curious to see who shows up to cover it from the rail.

Dan from Pokerati and others have made a good point about this situation. When Card Player posts their live updates on the internet, they are being given to the public as fact. Is it not true that the rest of us reporters can sit in our living rooms, hit refresh on the screen, take notes from what is posted, and write our own reports based on the facts? Do we even need to give credit to Card Player for the information? It's an interesting debate and one that is sure to ruffle the feathers of WPT officials during Legends. I'm going to be making a few trips down to the Bike since it's here in L.A., so I'll have more to report as soon as things get going on Saturday. Should be interesting!

In other Legends news, the ladies event just wrapped up last night. They only had 125 entries, probably because they raised the price of the tournament from $125 to $1,000. Pam Brunson emerged as the winner, taking home a nice bit of change ($34,435), a seat into the $10k main event, and a spot at the WPT Ladies Night final table to be held on August 31st. Congrats, Pam!

Something else to mention is the new season of High Stakes Poker set to premier on GSN next Monday the 27th. There will be 17 episodes (the most of any season thus far) airing every Monday night at 9pm EST/8pm CST. Set those TIVO's and DVR's. Personally, I have to call my cable company and see how outrageous the price will be to add GSN to my cable lineup. If it's too much, I may be coming to your house to watch it. Please answer the phone when I call.

Enough for today. Have a good week, everyone!