HPT Season X Debuts Nationwide
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA - New episodes begin airing around the globe this week for Heartland Poker Tour's milestone tenth season. Now available in over 110 million homes throughout the United States and millions more overseas, HPT is showing no signs of slowing down in Season X. With more stops than ever before, the tour will produce a record number of original episodes in 2014. At least 48 one-hour shows will air over the next 52 weeks. HPT televises more poker tournaments than any other tour in the world.
The talented lineup of on-air commentators returns when funnyman Fred Bevill and poker pro Maria Ho take their seats at the broadcast desk to deliver another season full of action. Bevill has been a fixture on the show since the first episode aired in 2005, while Season X marks Ho's second year with the team.
In addition to the usual suspects, Season X will feature several special guest commentators for the first time. Bruce Buffer, UFC's veteran voice of the octagon, recently gave Bevill a day off and sat in for two full episodes. Jason Calacanis, angel investor and host of "This Week in Start-Ups", will make his HPT broadcasting debut early in Season X. Additional personalities are likely to stop by later this year.
Also making a debut this year is the all-new custom HPT trophy. In addition to fame and fortune, poker enthusiasts have a chance to take home the eye-catching trophy at every stop in Season X. Trophies will be presented at the season-ending Championship Open this November at Soaring Eagle Casino Resort. Viewers can get a sneak peek at the new hardware on TV as it sits prominently behind Bevill and Ho.
Viewers will also notice some upgrades to the broadcast set. Portraits of every past HPT Player of the Year were included in the redesign, including Greg "Fossilman" Raymer and Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler. Space is reserved to add a photo of Season X's POY, said HPT Director of Operations Jen Mastrud. "The players are the real stars of our show," she said, "We want our most accomplished players to sit alongside Fred and Maria."
Casino properties making their debut on HPT in 2014 include Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in the Palm Springs, California area and Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, Missouri. Other locations welcoming HPT players for the first time include Ameristar properties in East Chicago, Indiana, Vicksburg, Mississippi, and St Charles, Missouri. The stars of those episodes are to be determined, as the championship titles are up for grabs this fall.
Broadcast and tour details are available at www.HPTpoker.com
