News / Dave Allan / 27 October 2008 / Leave a comment

The attention of the poker world is very much on the final table of the World Series of Poker Main Event, which gets underway in Las Vegas on November 9, but it is not the sole focus judging by the swift return of what is proving to be a very popular TV programme, writes Rob Eddy.

Organisers of the WSOP have tried to capitalise on the popularity of poker across the globe by delaying the final table from when it was established back in July, dubbing the remaining players the 'November Nine' and airing it on television almost 'as live'.

Well the popularity of the Poker Premier League has brought forward the third running of the event, which will now take place in London from November 24-30, having originally been scheduled for 2009.

Forget about the Chelseas and Manchester Uniteds of this world, the public would appear to want to watch the artists on the baize strut their stuff.

This time around the buy-in has been bumped up to $75,000, with the added money increased to $350,000, making a total prize pool of $1.25million.

Ireland's Andy Black, who quit poker between 1998-2003 to study Buddhist techniques of meditation, shed his perhaps unfairly given 'choker' tag to win the last event and he will be back to defend his title.

"There will be no more 'Mr Nice Buddhist' this year. The attitude and spirit I will be bringing to the tournament can be summed up by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Asked as Conan the Barbarian what was most important in life he said it was: 'to crush your enemies and hear the lamentation of their women'," Black said.

Matchroom Sport developed the series and their head of online gaming, Eddie Hearn, is looking forward to getting the show back on air.

"The Premier League is now established internationally as poker's number one TV show," he said.

"The worldwide ratings and distribution have exceeded all expectations and the demand is such that we have decided to hold another Premier League event this year.

"We are delighted to welcome last year's champion Andy Black back to the League and we will now sit down and hand pick the remainder of the chosen 12. There isn't a poker player on the planet that doesn't want to be part of this event."