CBS deals itself in with TV poker tourneys

CBS deals itself in with TV poker tourneys By Zap2it.com CBS is betting that interest in televised poker isn't on the wane, teaming up with a promoter to televise poker tournaments in which amateur players get a chance to match wits with pros. The network has signed a deal with ProJo Poker Enterprises to televise eight ProJo tournaments and four specials. First up will be the "ProJo Christmas Poker Classic," airing in the afternoon on Dec. 25. With the deal, CBS is making the biggest push yet by a broadcast network into the world of televised poker. Although NBC has aired a couple of specials in the past, poker has been largely a cable phenomenon, providing ratings boosts for networks ranging from ESPN ("World Series of Poker") to Bravo ("Celebrity Poker Showdown") to the Travel Channel ("World Poker Tour"). ProJo Poker stages its tournaments with amateur players in mind, offering relatively low buy-ins and keeping professional players out of the early rounds. Eight invited pros join the tournament in the semifinal round, playing at one table while the eight top "average Joes" play at another. The last four remaining at each table square off in the final. ProJo's 26-tournament schedule awards a total of $40 million in cash and prizes. As part of the pact, CBSSportsLine.com will set up a poker area where people can play for free and take a shot at winning prizes and spots in ProJo tournaments.