TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

In an unusual move, a multi-player game played on wireless phones will be getting a push with a national television ad campaign. The game is a wireless version of the popular poker game "Texas HoldEm," developed by Summus USA. The game is unique in that it will allow wireless players to sit at a virtual table and compete against 1989 World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event champion Phil Helmuth. The commercials will get their initial airing on ESPN and ESPN2, which have scored respectable ratings in recent years for their coverage of poker's premier open event.

Wireless phone game applications typically don't get this kind of commercial air-time. However, this game presents unique advertising opportunities, especially with the current popularity growth in the Texas HoldEm following the 2003 WSOP main event win by Internet player Chris Moneymaker and the exposure of poker on television on ESPN, The Travel Channel's coverage of the World Poker Tour and Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown. This is definitely a case of striking while the irons are hot and if successful, could open up doors to new advertising of wireless applications.