Maria Ho Bids Farewell to HPT and Joins New Show

8 years ago
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."

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.


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Charles is a Chicago native and long time poker player who dusted off his journalism degree and began writing about poker following the events of Black Friday in 2011. He has written for a number of leading poker websites, offering his insights and expertise on subjects ranging from online poker leg...Read more

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