Entertainment

All in for riches: World Series of Poker marks 50th run

Published

6 years ago

June 28, 2019

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Tens of thousands of professional and amateur poker players go on a pilgrimage to Las Vegas every summer in hopes of returning home richer, owning a gold bracelet and having considerable bragging rights.

They are young and old and overwhelmingly male. They are college dropouts and accountants, entrepreneurs and CEOs, actors and athletes, psychologists and comedians. And they all have a chance of becoming world champions.

At the World Series of Poker — now marking its 50th edition — everything is possible.

“The beauty of poker is anyone can enter and anyone can win,” said Ty Stewart, the series’ executive director. “We all love the stories of overcoming challenges, at defying the odds. This occurs regularly at the World Series of Poker.”

Cowboy gambler Benny Binion probably wouldn’t recognize the tournament today. He started it in 1970 as an invitation-only event with a few men gathered at his casino in downtown Las Vegas. They were all elite players, and Johnny Moss was declared the winner by the other men at the table.

Moss got a trophy. There was no multimillion-dollar prize pool, no constant television coverage and definitely no smoking ban.

It has transformed into a phenomenon that has paid almost $3 billion in prizes — minting millionaires, airing live on ESPN and streaming online.

The series is well positioned to set an attendance record this year, with 122,473 entries so far. Its marquee contest, the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold ’em main event, kicks off Wednesday. The no-limit betting rules mean players can wager all their chips at any time.

The tournament this year runs through July 16 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, off the Las Vegas Strip. It features different poker variations, with buy-ins for the events ranging from $400 to $100,000.

The series saw a record 123,865 contestants in 2018, when the prize pool of over $266 million was divided among 18,105 participants. Twenty-eight of them earned at least $1 million. Every champion received a gold bracelet under a tradition started in 1976.

“When we started out, there were very few people from outside the United States that were playing with us,” said T.J. Cloutier, 79, a six-time bracelet winner from Richardson, Texas. “And now there’s a ton of people, and they are from all over.”

More than 100 countries were represented in last year’s tournament.

Poker’s popularity in the U.S. erupted in 2003, when Tennessee accountant Chris Moneymaker entered a $39 online poker satellite contest, won an entry to the main event and emerged victorious, earning $2.5 million and inspiring other amateur players. Many had been honing their skills — and building a bankroll — through online games.

A year earlier, so-called hole-card cameras were introduced to the series’ broadcasts, allowing viewers to see the cards participants were holding and play armchair quarterback.

“When you watched it on TV, it was like watching paint dry,” said Cloutier, who has finished the main event twice as runner-up and once each in third and fifth place. “Now, you could actually watch the tournament and know what was going on.”

Entries to the 2004 tournament increased by 85%. By 2006, the main event got a record number of players. But then poker began to lose steam in the U.S.

Participants in the series’ main event fell by 28% in 2007, when the government cracked down on online wagers. The Department of Justice in April 2011 then delivered a stronger blow when it seized the domain names of the largest offshore poker sites catering to U.S. customers.

While participation in the series has set records since 2013, the main event has remained below the 2006 record. The overall increase is tied to the addition of events with smaller buy-ins.

“There are events for a wider group of people,” poker pro Daniel Negreanu said. “What that does is it attracts a much wider skill set of players. You have your hometown hero who comes out to Las Vegas to give it a shot as well as, of course, all the top professionals in the world.”

Series owner Caesars Interactive Entertainment is holding an awards ceremony Saturday to celebrate the 50th milestone. The company allowed fans to choose some players being recognized, including fan favorite player, the series’ “favorite bad boy” and the four most important players in the tournament’s history.

A panel of media and industry experts also revealed this week a list of the 50 greatest poker players in history, including Cloutier and Negreanu.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell and record-setting Jeopardy contestant James Holzhauer are celebrities who have played this year. Other contestants could become famous overnight.

Many of those who remember watching Moneymaker’s storybook victory as teenagers and the ensuing poker boom are now competing and winning.

“I played all throughout middle school, even as a kid. I was always a big fan, and the personalities in the game were kind of what made it great,” said Scott Blumstein, who won $8.1 million as a 25-year-old in 2017′s main event. “As a kid, I used to definitely look up to these people, and it’s really cool being a part of it now because I definitely watched it and was a fan.”

Entertainment

OIFW Fall 2025 Brings Fashion, Art, and Entertainment to Downtown Orlando with Exclusive Rooftop and Runway Events

Published

5 days ago

October 20, 2025

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW) has officially announced its Fall 2025 event lineup, promising an extraordinary week of fashion, art, and entertainment across Downtown Orlando. Known for merging creativity, culture, and community, OIFW will showcase local and international designers, celebrity hosts, and captivating live performances at some of Orlando’s most iconic venues.

Sunday, November 9, 2025 – Opening Night at CityArts

Location: CityArts, Downtown Orlando
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Sponsor: Downtown Arts District

Event Host:

Chad Pitt – Radio Personality, “Chad and Leslye in the Morning Show,” Magic 107.7

Fashion Designers:

Tenique Designs
Ellie Paisley Art
Avor + Pazniak

Entertainment:

K.She’ – Singer/Songwriter
London Simone – Contortionist

OIFW kicks off opening night at CityArts, bringing together the best of Orlando’s visual and fashion arts scene in a creative fusion of color, texture, and performance.

Saturday, November 15, 2025 – Rooftop Fashion Experience

Location: Altira Rooftop Pool + Lounge, Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, Autograph Collection
Time: 1:00 p.m.

Event Host:

Christina Carmona – Award-Winning Actress and Filmmaker

Fashion Designers:

Betta Novais Designs
Sim Allure

Event Highlights:
Guests will enjoy a luxurious rooftop day party and fashion showcase, complete with live music, curated runway presentations, and the city’s trendsetters mingling under Orlando’s skyline. Drinks and food will be available for purchase.

Sunday, November 16, 2025 – Family and Finale Fashion Events

Location: Eola View, Downtown Orlando
Times: 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

3:00 PM Event Host:

Mimi Mala – Radio Personality, Model, and Host

Fashion Designers:

My Little Matilda
Dillard’s Children
Davenport Fashion Lab
Dillard’s Youth

Celebrity Style Showcase Models:

Pao Pati | Mayra Uribe | Azela Santana | Julia Goolia | Kairy Lopez

Entertainment:

Alyssa Herrera – Singer/Songwriter
Moova Dance – Dance Studio Performance

6:00 PM Event Host:

Sierra Rainge – Media Powerhouse and Brand Strategist

Fashion Designers:

Roszuar | Culture Trees | Artelio | Constella Designs | Dillard’s | Jezra | BAmoryProductions | Sim Allure

Celebrity Style Showcase Models:

Bethany Worley | Mimi Mala | Azela Santana | Daniela Droz | Anntwan Fredrick

Entertainment:

Zaycuatro – Singer/Songwriter
Scott Barnhill – Singer/Songwriter

These closing events at Eola View highlight both family-oriented fashion and Orlando’s rising stars in music, art, and design, offering a grand finale to an unforgettable fashion week.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Entertainment

Mayors Buddy Dyer and Jerry Demings Join Tribute to James H. Pugh’s Legacy at Dr. Phillips Center

Published

2 weeks ago

October 12, 2025

Willie David

Dr. Phillips Center Honors Founding Chairman James H. Pugh with Bronze Sculpture. Mayors Buddy Dyer and Jerry Demings Join Ceremony Celebrating His Life and Legacy, October 9, 2025, Orlando, Florida, USA (Florida National News). Photo: Despina McLaughlin / Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts unveiled a stunning new bronze relief sculpture honoring Chairman Emeritus James H. Pugh, Jr., the visionary leader whose commitment and leadership helped turn the dream of a world-class performing arts center into reality. The piece, created by world-renowned sculptor Paul Day, was revealed during a heartfelt ceremony attended by community leaders, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, both of whom shared remarks celebrating Pugh’s remarkable contributions.

A Visionary Who Shaped Orlando’s Cultural Landscape

From 2003 to 2022, James H. Pugh, Jr. served nearly two decades as chairman of the Dr. Phillips Center, guiding the project from concept to completion. His leadership, expertise, and steadfast vision were instrumental in creating one of Orlando’s most iconic cultural institutions.

Alongside his wife, Alexis Pugh, he became the first donor to the project, helping establish the 294-seat Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, a beloved venue that has hosted thousands of regional artists and performances. Under his direction, the Center also opened the 2,700-seat Walt Disney Theater and the acoustically acclaimed Steinmetz Hall, which Architectural Digest named one of the 11 most beautiful theaters in the world.

A Masterpiece by Renowned Artist Paul Day

Commissioned by longtime friend and arts center donor Neal Dempsey, the bronze relief sculpture was crafted by internationally recognized artist Paul Day, whose works include The Meeting Place at St. Pancras Station in London and A Beautiful Day for a Neighbor at Rollins College.

This new artwork captures the essence of Pugh’s leadership, perseverance, and dedication to the arts, symbolizing the collective effort that brought the Dr. Phillips Center to life. “Jim has been instrumental in bringing this dream and our promise of Arts for Every Life to the region,” said Kathy Ramsberger, President & CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center. “His vision and generosity shaped every step of our journey. This sculpture ensures he will always remain part of our story.”

A Lasting Legacy for Future Generations

During the unveiling, Ed Timberlake, Chairman of the Dr. Phillips Center Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of Pugh’s contributions: “Today, we celebrated three powerful forces—transformative vision, unwavering perseverance, and the magic that happens when a community rallies behind a dream. Jim proved that with enough determination and heart, you can turn an ambitious dream into a living, breathing cultural cornerstone.”

Ticketed guests can now view the sculpture on the first tier of the Della Phillips Lobby. The installation was made possible through generous support from Jan & Neal Dempsey, with additional contributions from Valeria & Jim Shapiro and Bill Forness.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Entertainment

After the Airing: What Jimmy Kimmel’s Soaring Ratings Really Reveal

Published

3 weeks ago

October 3, 2025

Kareen Kennedy

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – The numbers are in, and they speak louder than Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue.

More than 6.2 million people tuned in to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on the night of his return: the highest single-night viewership the show has pulled in over a decade. That’s not just impressive; it’s exceptional for a late-night program in today’s fragmented media environment.

But to read this as a mere “ratings win” for Kimmel would miss the real story. What the numbers actually reflect is a surge of public momentum driven not by promotion, not even by controversy alone, but by audience power. This wasn’t about the man with the microphone. It was about the people on the other end of it.

It’s clear now that this wasn’t just an act of viewership, it was a collective show of force. The audience didn’t just watch Kimmel’s return; they validated it. They turned a late-night broadcast into a national media moment, forcing the issue back onto the cultural agenda through sheer participation.

What makes this more than a one-night bump is the way the episode resonated beyond TV. The monologue was clipped, reposted, debated, and dissected – generating tens of millions of views online within hours. The broadcast became a viral node not because of shock value, but because people felt invested in what it represented.

For ABC, this moment underscores both the reward and the risk of public responsiveness. Yes, controversy generated attention but it was the threat of losing consumer trust that truly moved the needle. The spike in ratings proved that viewers weren’t bluffing. Their voices weren’t just loud, they were measurable.

Whether the show sustains those numbers in the weeks ahead remains to be seen. But the September 23 ratings event wasn’t about longevity. It was about leverage. And in this case, the viewers — not the network, not the advertisers, not even the host — held it.

The night will be remembered not for what was said behind the desk, but for what millions of viewers shouted through their actions: we are watching and we expect to be heard.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com