High Stakes Pool (TV Show Idea)

midnightpulp

midnightpulp

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
For the die hard poker players out there, High Stakes Poker on GSN is considered the best poker show on TV. Players buy in with their own (or a backer's) cash. You actually get to watch real poker being played, rather than the all in push fests that is final table tournament poker. The show has a lot of color. Players yap at each other, telling stories, etc...

So, why can't this format be used for pool?

We all love hearing and reading about high stakes pool games, wishing they were videotaped. Just imagine watching McCready and Strickland shooting for the cash; which leads to another point: Heads up matches only. In a ring game, you might not get to see a certain player for an long period of time.

Also, the stakes should be high. 5k or 10k doesn't really captivate. I'm not demeaning that amount of money, but for TV, it's a tepid amount. I realize pool players aren't padded like poker players, so I guess this is where the silent backers would come in. But for TV purposes, it would be Player A's 100k against Player B's 100k.

And, lesser players, wealthy "amateurs", could throw down their cash and try to match up. Daniel Negreanu always says he's a good pool player. Wouldn't it be cool to see him match up with Cory Deuel? It'd be interesting to see what kind of weight DN would get.

So, I ask. Can this work?
 
midnightpulp said:
For the die hard poker players out there, High Stakes Poker on GSN is considered the best poker show on TV. Players buy in with their own (or a backer's) cash. You actually get to watch real poker being played, rather than the all in push fests that is final table tournament poker. The show has a lot of color. Players yap at each other, telling stories, etc...

So, why can't this format be used for pool?

We all love hearing and reading about high stakes pool games, wishing they were videotaped. Just imagine watching McCready and Strickland shooting for the cash; which leads to another point: Heads up matches only. In a ring game, you might not get to see a certain player for an long period of time.

Also, the stakes should be high. 5k or 10k doesn't really captivate. I'm not demeaning that amount of money, but for TV, it's a tepid amount. I realize pool players aren't padded like poker players, so I guess this is where the silent backers would come in. But for TV purposes, it would be Player A's 100k against Player B's 100k.

And, lesser players, wealthy "amateurs", could throw down their cash and try to match up. Daniel Negreanu always says he's a good pool player. Wouldn't it be cool to see him match up with Cory Deuel? It'd be interesting to see what kind of weight DN would get.

So, I ask. Can this work?
Click to expand...
Pretty good idea.

www.theactionreport.com

The part about amateurs matching up is a no go IMO. Doesn't matter how high the stakes, after 30 minutes of seeing guys dog balls people zone out.After reading Negraneu's blog I have serious doubts if Daniel even knows what good pool is. I find it hard to believe he could beat Corey or any other top pro at anything on a pool table.

Pool is no good for short format TV, just not enough time to show what really happens in a match, you would have to break it up into a series.

Best shot pool has at TV is a reality series. People like drama and conflict, give Scooter a $100,000 bank roll and tell him that if he doubles it in a month by matching up he gets to keep it. Add cameras and let the sparks fly. (There are numerous holes in this scheme :D)

Pools biggest asset are the characters in the game. Unfortuantely they can also be the games biggest drawbacks, depending on which you pick and choose.

Pool and TV are a tough nut to crack.
 
JCIN said:
Pretty good idea.

www.theactionreport.com

The part about amateurs matching up is a no go IMO. Doesn't matter how high the stakes, after 30 minutes of seeing guys dog balls people zone out.After reading Negraneu's blog I have serious doubts if Daniel even knows what good pool is. I find it hard to believe he could beat Corey or any other top pro at anything on a pool table.

Pool is no good for short format TV, just not enough time to show what really happens in a match, you would have to break it up into a series.

Best shot pool has at TV is a reality series. People like drama and conflict, give Scooter a $100,000 bank roll and tell him that if he doubles it in a month by matching up he gets to keep it. Add cameras and let the sparks fly. (There are numerous holes in this scheme :D)

Pools biggest asset are the characters in the game. Unfortuantely they can also be the games biggest drawbacks, depending on which you pick and choose.

Pool and TV are a tough nut to crack.
Click to expand...

I dig your idea. It'd make a good film documentary as well.
 
Blair Thein* is doin somethin similar to this..He has a show in the works called "The Hustle Bus" where he will have peopl traveling around and gambling high stakes matches...Be patient...Its gettin close and his blueprint seems well laid.....
 
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