The first episode of the PokerStars Big Game in over a decade aired last weekend, with the reboot featuring a lineup that includes Phil Hellmuth, Jennifer Tilly, Alan Keating and two loose cannons.
The first episode delivered on the hype, with highlights including Tilly getting active and Lex Velduis crushing the table after coming up short in the original Big Game.
Though it only ran for two seasons, The Big Game became an instant classic and produced many of the most memorable moments in televised poker.
The new season, the first since 2011, was filmed at Resorts World Las Vegas during the PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) Las Vegas festival last November, but the results have not been disclosed and things have been kept closely under wraps in the months since.
The loose cannons, Lily Newhouse and content creator Nikki Limo, were chosen during NAPT Las Vegas and each recieved $50,000 as they competed against top pros in the high-stakes cash game.
Limo, a social media influencer with 540,000 YouTube subscribers, and Newhouse, a mindset coach for poker players and CEOs, impressed all three judges in both rounds with their colorful personalities, backgrounds and poker knowledge.
PokerNews caught up with PokerStars North American Vice President Steve Preiss to talk about bringing poker’s most popular show back to life after more than a decade.
PokerStars North America VP Talks Big Game Return
PokerNews: What inspired PokerStars to bring back The Big Game after all these years?
Preiss: The Big Game was one of the most popular poker shows of all time however when the original NAPT was put on hiatus back in 2011, so too was The Big Game. It was a pretty straightforward decision to resurrect this show to coincide with the recent relaunch of the NAPT After discussing innovative ways to reimagine the show with the PokerStars TV production team, it was clear we had the right people and ideas to bring this back to life. The Big Game on Tour was born.
“The most exciting part was the energy everyone brought to it.”
For poker to reach new audiences, we all as an industry need to innovate. I think you’re seeing this more and more across the poker ecosystem. From my view, we all need to push ourselves to create great content that reaches and embraces new players.
What’s the most exciting thing about The Big Game’s return?
Not to oversimplify things, but the most exciting part was the energy everyone brought to it. From Joe and James and Maria Ho to the players and loose cannons, this was FUN. The vast majority of people start playing poker because it’s social and fun. That’s what The Big Game on Tour is.
Steve Preiss Becomes VP of PokerStars North America
The Big Game is one of the most memorable poker shows of all time. What do you think has made it so successful?
When poker content truly hits, it’s because of two things: 1) great personalities, and 2) drama/storytelling of that drama. The poker almost becomes secondary. The original Big Game had that. It allowed the players to be themselves. It captured the conflict and drama. You had storylines with the loose cannons. It was a complete show, not just a poker show.
Can you give any hints what will happen during the new season?
I think you’ll see a new focus on how we cast the loose cannons. And whenever you have Phil Hellmuth on, you know there will be drama.
The Big Game on Tour was filmed at last year’s NAPT Las Vegas. Are there any plans to film future seasons or episodes at other stops?
Yes, that’s the plan. Bring the Big Game on Tour to every NAPT stop that can facilitate it.
Steve Preiss Becomes VP of PokerStars North America