Poker in the News

A new series based on poker premieres on ESPN Thursday at 9 p.m. ET.

The show is called Tilt, and was written, produced and directed by Brian Koppelman and David Levien (who wrote the 1998 poker movie Rounders). The show stars Eddie Cibiran, Michael Madsen, Kristin Lehman, Todd Williams, and Don McManus.

I have heard mixed opinions about the show. Many poker players that I know have seen a preview, The Making of Tilt (or something along those lines), and thought that it looked horrible-- but that may just be because they are poker players.

Buoyed by the current TV poker craze, ESPN figures to have a winning hand in Tilt, though the number of poker-playing scenes might not satisfy card diehards.

"Too much poker will alienate the non-poker-playing viewer," Shapiro said. "It's a delicate balance."

USATODAY.com - ESPN likes odds of capitalizing on poker craze