The Pokerbowl

The U.S. Poker League has announced the PokerBowl, a competition in which 25 U.S. cities will compete for a national title. The event is set to kick off on October 20th, 2007 in Las Vegas, and many cities are scrambling to fill their rosters with the best talent that poker has to offer.

Some have already secured local pros willing to represent their hometowns. Lee Watkinson will play for Seattle, T.J. Cloutier for Dallas and Paul Darden jr. for Boston. Other teams have made chemistry a priority, rounding up players that know each other well. Full Tilt pros Clonie Gowen and Chris Ferguson with play for Houston alongside 2006 WSOP 3rd place finisher Michael Binger. Meanwhile, Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly feel confident representing host city Las Vegas with pals Antonio Esfandiari and Danny Masterson.

Although ‘poker rankings’ have yet to be established, one team likely to top such a list would be the “Denver High Rollers.” With solid players Paul Wasicka, Chad Brown and Vanessa Rousso already on board, the team recently added father and son powerhouse, poker legend Doyle Brunson and his son Todd.

As the event nears, many questions still linger. How will team-poker fare in the primarily player-independent game of poker? What strategies will teams employ and to what degree will team chemistry be a factor? With the PokerBowl set to air on Fox Sports beginning in early 2008, these questions will soon be answered.