Season IX Press Conference

Bellagio Cup VI is still hours away from getting underway, but the World Poker Tour kicked off the Las Vegas festivities a little early with a press conference announcing some big changes for the television broadcast of Season IX which was followed by a compelling heads-up match that may not have millions of dollars on the line, but had something much more important at stake—national pride.

There are a number of big changes and new additions this season both on site at the tournaments and within the television show.  Noted tournament director Matt Savage has been appointed the Executive Tour Director and will be offering his input on a number of aspects of the tour as well as serving as a liaison between the WPT and the tournament directors at the respective casinos within the tour.

There are six other new members of the WPT family as well.  The Royal Flush Girls are a half dozen fun-loving ladies who will be making appearances at each of the WPT stops where they will interact with players, give WPT fans a behind-the-scenes look at the tournament, and serve as the official money presenters at the final table. The lovely ladies making up the squad of Royal Flush Girls are Michelle Banzer, Melyssa Grace, Jennifer Haley, Melanie Iglesias, Sunisa Kim, and Katrina Topacio.

The final new member of the WPT team is actually someone fans are already familiar with, Kimberly Lansing, who will now be serving as the anchor for both the television show and WPT Live Updates.  As the anchor, Lansing will be at the center of the action, opening the show, providing commentary, and interviewing the players on site at every stop.

The business of the press conference was followed up with a little fun as players, press, and members of the WPT all posed for pictures with the Royal Flush Girls before the marquee match-up of the day: a heads up battle between Carlos “The Matador” Mortensen and Marcel “The Flying Dutchman” Luske.

The two did battle as part of the WPT World Cup prop bet.  With Mortensen hailing from Spain and Luske from the Netherlands, both have more than a passing interest in Sunday’s World Cup Championship game.  With national pride on the line, the two took to the felt for a battle of the nations, each sporting their homeland’s team jersey.

Those jerseys will be put to  use after the match as well.  Rather than wager money on their poker battle, the two agreed that the loser had to sport the jersey of the winner’s team while watching the Championship match.  They are also required to wear the jersey during Day 1 of the Bellagio Cup Main Event, which kicks off at 12 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Luske and the Netherlands were on the losing end of the heads-up battle which means he will not so proudly wear Mortensen’s Spain jersey come game time.

Be sure to check back in with WPT Live Updates throughout the day for updates on both Luske and Mortensen’s progress in the tournament and, of course, photos of Mortensen flaunting his victory and Luske flaunting his jersey.