Press Release
WORLD POKER TOUR NAMES TONY DUNST RAW DEAL HOST
tagged: Season IX, Tony Dunst
WORLD POKER TOUR® NAMES TONY DUNST
RAW DEAL™ HOST
High Stakes Player Wins National Talent Search To Be
Newest Member of WPT® On-Air Team
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES – (Oct. 4, 2010) – Fresh off a history making, record-setting field at the Borgata Open, the World Poker Tour® continues making headlines in 2010 with the announcement that Tony Dunst has won the national talent search and been named the host of WPT’s newest television segment, The Raw Deal.™
Dunst beat out hundreds of contestants who submitted online audition videos or tried out in person at The Bicycle Casino prior to the 2010 Legends of Poker tournament.
A high stakes online and tournament player, poker writer and instructor, Dunst, who plays under the name Bond18 online, is known for his style at the table and humor away from it. Honest, sometimes abrasive, and unafraid to call out poker’s biggest names, Dunst’s articles and blogs are among the most followed in the industry. (Dunst’s blog: http://www.pokersavvy.com/blogs/bond18)
Dunst fits perfectly within the World Poker Tour’s global framework. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dunst has lived in China, Las Vegas and Australia, and has played in tournaments around the world.
“Tony is smart, knows the game, has had success in poker and has an irreverent streak,” said World Poker Tour Executive Producer Joe Grimm. “There were a number of tremendously talented individuals who auditioned for the Raw Deal, but Tony stood out for his candor, his knowledge and his delivery. He’s going to have a big impact on the broadcast. He may ruffle some feathers, but he wasn’t brought in to be Mr. Nice Guy.”
“For years, I watched the WPT every week and memorized the final hands, then would pick apart the strategy,” said Dunst. "I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with icons Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, who were crucial to bringing our industry into its modern, global form. The WPT has given me carte blanche to be myself. I'll be as candid, blunt, and absurd as I like; a sweet deal, and I'm honored they choose me.”
Dunst will be available from 10 am to 12 pm for one-on-one interviews prior to Shuffle Up and Deal on Day 1 of Festa al Lago at Bellagio on October 15.
Dunst is the newest addition to the World Poker Tour’s broadcast team. In July, the WPT announced the creation of an anchor position to be filled by Kimberly Lansing.
World Poker Tour’s telecast of Season IX begins in January on Fox Sports Net.
Media Contacts/to schedule interviews with Tony Dunst:
Justin Simon, Justin@strivecommunications.com
Haley Jones, hjones@worldpokertour.com
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About WPT Enterprises, Inc.
World Poker Tour (WPT) is one of the most recognized names in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high stakes poker tournaments. WPT has filmed more than 350 hours of programming broadcast in over 150 countries and is current filming its all-new ninth season which will air on FSN. WPT also offers a unique online subscription and sweepstakes-based poker club, ClubWPT.com, which is available in 38 states across the U.S. Additionally, WPT participates in strategic brand license, partnership and sponsorship opportunities. WPT is a subsidiary of PartyGaming Plc. For more information, visit www.worldpokertour.com.
