07:19
03 Jun
The Heartland Poker Tour has a seat open in the broadcast booth as Maria Ho announced via Twitter that she will be leaving the show and moving on to a new endeavor.
Ho co-hosted the HPT final table broadcasts for the past two seasons, sharing her wealth of poker knowledge and insights with viewers at home. The 32-year-old informed fans and followers of her departure on Monday and followed that up with a tweet a day later, revealing that she has signed on as co-host of a new poker TV show called 'Poker Night: The Tour.'
Excited about my next adventure as co-host of Poker Night:The Tour. Can't wait for y'all to see what we have in store!http://t.co/4rHC7d2MrG
— Maria Ho (@MariaHo) June 3, 2015
Professional poker player and WinStar World Casino ambassador Maria Ho has been one of the faces of the Heartland Poker Tour for the past two years, serving as a commentator and co-host for the.
Poker Night: The Tour is the brainchild of Poker Night in America creators, who aim to show poker fans a bit more of what goes on in the lives of poker pros away from the action at the tables. The sometimes ridiculous proposition bets and late night partying are likely to be captured on film, as well as what it's like to be touring the world in search of that next final table appearance.
Of course, the hijinks going on outside of casinos will be blended with action on the felt. The first stop of which will be the Empire State Hold’em Championship at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York in August. The broadcasts will be shown on TV in early 2016.
“I am beyond excited to be a part of this new show that seeks to bring something fresh and innovative that will change the way people enjoy poker on television,” Ho stated in a press release.
Ho's partner in the booth will be David Tuchman, whose broadcasting resume includes both Nascar and NFL action in addition to poker. Tuchman has provided commentary for Poker Night in America and the WSOP.
Maria Ho has live tournament earnings just shy of $1.7 million, according to the Hendon Mob. She cashed eight times at the 2014 WSOP, including 77th in the Main Event for a payday of $85,812. Ho was the last woman standing in the ME, the second time she accomplished the feat.
In addition to the HPT, Ho appeared on television in The Amazing Race in 2009. She was also a contestant on Season 3 of American Idol, but hit the rail during Hollywood Week.
By popular demand, Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) is heading back to the warm waters of the Caribbean with Card Player Cruises, sailing away on January 12, 2014 for a seven-day cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas.
The schedule for “HPT on the High Seas” will include an HPT main event, qualifying events, multiple side tournaments, and cash games, along with plenty of sun, sand, and surf. The cruise will depart from Port Canaveral, located near Orlando, Florida.
HPT executed its first High Seas event earlier this year, partnering with CP Cruises in January.
“We were hooked,” said HPT Director of Operations Jen Mastrud. “Card Player Cruises does a phenomenal job of planning every trip as if it is the vacation of a lifetime.”
Linda Johnson, a Poker Hall of Famer and partner in Card Player Cruises said, “We are the largest poker cruise company in the world and have a full service poker room, experienced staff, seminars, and much more. Besides the full tournament schedule, you’ll visit exotic ports and enjoy all of the amenities of a luxury cruise ship. What a great poker vacation!”
HPT commentator and popular pro Maria Ho missed the boat last time, joining the HPT broadcasting team in February of this year. She is scheduled to set sail with the crew in 2014, ensuring everyone has a great time. “She’s a fan favorite,” said Mastrud. “Those meeting her on the boat for the first time will quickly see why.”
HPT and Card Player Cruises selected one of the best ships in the industry for the 2014 cruise. Vacationers will enjoy many popular amenities aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, including a water park, ice-skating rink and rock climbing wall. Cruisers can explore or relax on the white sand beaches of St. Martin, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas.
HPT has also sweetened the pot for the $1,100 main event with exciting prize packages for the top nine finishers. In addition to life-changing money, players will compete for national television airtime. All nine at the Final Table will receive packages to travel to another HPT event of their choice to be filmed for their own segment on Heartland Poker Tour.
The opportunity comes with international exposure; the show is broadcast in more than 100 million homes throughout the United States, in addition to widespread distribution throughout Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. The packages include a $1,650 main event buy-in, hotel accommodations for two nights, and a travel stipend.
Poker enthusiasts can get on the boat for $789 per person and gain exclusive access to the poker room. Card Player Cruises is already accepting reservations for the January 2014 cruise on its website. CPC representatives recommend passengers reserve their cruise packages early for best cabin selection. A valid passport is required at the time of departure.
In addition to Ho, Michigan’s Steve Fox was one of the first to book. Fox finished ninth in the inaugural cruise event this year and said booking the cruise again was a “no-brainer” for him.
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“They put on a helluva tournament,” said Fox. “Although my television time was short, the entire HPT experience was fabulous.”
Contact Card Player Cruises at 1-888-999-4880, or at www.CardPlayerCruises.com.
