Poker on TV - Professional Poker Tour

  Spin-offs have long been a staple of television. Laverne and Shirley as well as Mork and Mindy were spun off from "Happy Days". There have been more Star Trek spin-offs than anybody could reasonably swing a dead chicken at. More recently, the VH-1 hit, The Flavor of Love, is a branch from the popular Surreal Life series. In short, when somebody has a good thing going, the prudent course of action is to keep building on it.  This rule also applies to poker related television. The World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel has become wildly popular, so why not to create a spin-off based on this hit?  From the proverbial rib of the WPT, the Professional Poker Tourwas brought into existence. The PPT is a far more exclusive show than the WPT. While people of all walks of life may be eligible to play in the World Poker Tour, the Professional Poker Tour is exactly as the name implies: for professionals only. To compete on the PPT stage, a player would need to distinguish himself during the WPT, or be an established poker pro. Talented amaters or web players need not apply.  Policing the broadcast booth is actor Matt Corboy. This former personality from the FX original series The Shield is joined by poker pro Mark Seif. While Matt provides the commentary, Mark brings his expertise to the audience. The show will also feature Kaye Han. This young person will be doing interviews from the floor. Unlike some other co-hosts, she brings some real world poker experience of her to the table. Long before she joined the PPT, she was a very good player on her own.  This latest product from the people who brought you the World Poker Tour has been another winner for the Travel Channel. It makes you wonder what the next spin-off will be.