Adam Pliska is a lawyer who has worked at all levels of government, and whose briefs have been before the United States Supreme Court. He is a television producer whose work has been recognized with a coveted Emmy award. And he is now the President of the World Poker Tour. In other words, he is a world class, all around great guy…with an IQ that could give Marilyn vos Savant some self esteem issues. He was generous enough to talk to us for a few minutes about the World Poker Tour, the sale to Peerless Media (PartyGaming), and a little bit about what we can expect in the near future. LaunchPoker.com is happy to present our interview with Adam Pliska.
Launchpoker: You have been involved in a number of television shows in the past, including “Baywatch” and “Win Ben Steins Money”. What made you look at a poker oriented television show and know it would do well in the marketplace?Adam Pliska: I have been here for a long time actually. I have been here for about seven years. I came here when this was a production company and a friend of mine was out starting the World Poker Tour. I came to help for three weeks, which turned into three months and then three years, and eventually nearly seven. So I watched it evolve, and while I would like to take great credit for knowing how spectacular it was going to be; I, like everybody else, have been able to watch this rise, and see how this has transformed poker, and made it accessible to the masses.
Launchpoker: Did you or anyone else ever conceive that poker would explode as it did, and become this big? Adam Pliska: It certainly had the feeling; that buzz, where you realize that something phenomenal has occurred. What I think the surprise was, is just how well it permeated all aspects of society, it doesn’t matter if you’re at family night, out at the casino. Wherever I am whether it is on a plane, in a movie theater, people want to talk about poker. I talked to (United States Supreme Court) Justice Scalia about his poker night. It doesn’t matter where you are, everybody’s talking about it. That’s that part that’s very encouraging.
Launchpoker: Justice Scalia as a Poker Night? Adam Pliska: Justice Scalia has a poker night! In fact, I believe that he was somewhat frustrated that Justice Roberts was insisting on playing Texas Hold’em at some of his game.
Launchpoker: From what we hear, the moments leading up the final shareholder vote on the purchase by Peerless Media (a PartyGaming subsidiary) were fairly exciting. Especially with the drama of a last minute bid by another company, keen to buy the WPT. What finally pushed things in Peerless Medias direction? Adam Pliska: This is where I, unfortunately, do not get to be as helpful because I was the general counsel of what is now Ante4 Inc. Steve (Lipscomb) continues to be the President of Ante4. Now, as you know, I took on the position of WPT Enterprises President, so what I can’t tell you is how the board of directors expressed how the process developed throughout its proxy and its public statements.
Launchpoker: What do all these changes mean to the average WPT fan? Adam Pliska: I think this is the next stage in the evolution of the World Poker Tour brand. The great thing about the World Poker Tour is that it continues to give people opportunities to touch the brand on multiple levels. What you’re going to see is more international tour stops. You’re going to see more opportunities to experience the brand, either through subscription or on television. There will be more stops, more celebrities. So I think this is a great period for us, as we expand. It’s just going to give people more abilities to interact with the brand.
Launchpoker: You mentioned celebrities. Do you actively seek their participation, or are they just banging down the door to get in? Adam Pliska: Part of what I mean by “celebrities” is that some of the faces that just two years ago were not celebrities are celebrities today. And that’s the exciting part of this. I’ll certainly never be able to play in the NBA, but the average person can play in a satellite or play in a World Poker Tour event, find themselves at a final table, and the next thing you know, they have recognition, and are a part of this exciting game.
Launchpoker: To this point, what was the most exciting season or event that you can remember in the World Poker Tour? Adam Pliska: Well I have been here so long, and I have learned, like children, not to select one event over the next. What I can say is that, in general, when you experience the surprises, and when you see somebody that you don’t expect; win a tournament, or when you have a dramatic game, I think that’s what keeps the viewers excited. Those are the moments that were going to be continuing to look for.
Launchpoker: We all know the WPT was the first poker show to succeed in the mainstream, and is largely responsible for the success of poker television today. When you look across the television landscape, and see all the shows that have copied the WPT format, do you feel pride, or is there a competitive drive to send your competition to the ratings cellar? Adam Pliska: We made a decision early on that we were going to focus on the quality of the product and the play. And it paid off. At the end of the day we have a brand that’s distinguished itself. We have the only true global poker brand that is in 150 territories and countries. And I think that they say that imitation is the ultimate flattery, and I’m quite flattered.
Launchpoker: The WPT has worked with a number of very talented hostesses in the past. Who was the best of the former hostesses to work with? Adam Pliska: ~Laughs~ Oh Boy, our PR Manager will not allow me to answer that question right now. I do want to make this point, production is a collaborative effort. There are so many people who are behind the scenes working very hard. This is a production that works twelve months out of the year. People are working very hard, when it comes to identifying talent, and showcasing that talent is what we have really been able to do well. I think that has been a collaborative effort, and I think it’s the effort of many people who go out and find some true stars to shine.
We thank Mr. Pliska for his time, and look forward to hearing much more from him in the future.
