Heartland Poker Tour Sale

Yesterday the Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) was purchased by Federated Sports & Gambling (FS&G). They are the people that are starting the professional poker league. Here is a link to article.  http://www.pokernews.com/news/2011/06/federated-sports-gaming-acquires-heartland-poker-tour-10563.htm
I wish the guys at the Heartland the best of luck in this new endeavor. Even though I don't play any of their events anymore, I will always have a connection to their organization. Years ago when Full Tilt Magazine (FTM) was formed it coincided with the beginning of the HPT. Two of my partners actually appeared on the pilot taping of the HPT when they were deciding on their concept. I also worked on several of the final table tapings, so, the two seemed a perfect fit. A new poker tour and a new magazine all looking for Midwest exposure. I believe that Full Tilt Magazine had a lot to do with the early success of the HPT. The amount of basically free advertising that was given to the HPT was considerable. We shared in each others growth. Unfortunately FTM was unable to survive the change in gambling laws when the government made it harder to get money to gambling sites and most of our advertisers left the US and didn't pay any of their money due to us. If only we had had the finances to survive who knows where it would have taken us today. Anyway on to why I am writing this blog.

I think it is time for the HPT to make a name change. As I was reading above article and looking at the upcoming schedule it becomes quite clear that they are hardly ever actually playing in the heartland anymore. I understand why they have done what they are doing but also believe that they have abandoned their root players. The HPT started mostly in Minnesota casinos and was played by the many great players that this state has to offer. They gave up their time and money to try and win a spot on the TV final table. They followed the Tour religiously. As the Tour grew and moved outside of MN it became clear to the HPT people that they could get bigger tournament fields by leaving the Casinos of MN. The last two years the HPT made an agreement with a small Casino in Mahnomen MN to be the only MN to host an event. This Casino is in the middle of no where and hours away from any metropolitan area. Leading to small turnouts and what I think is probably the end of the HPT in MN. As far as I know there are no scheduled events for MN in the future. As I stated earlier I am very happy for Greg & Todd as they have worked hard to get where they are at today, but they got there on the backs of hard working Minnesotans and now have totally abandoned us. What came out of this was the MN State Poker Tour. A new MN only event tour, but it doesn't have the allure of the HPT and the chance to be on TV. I have a few ideas for them. How about
American Poker Tour
Average Joe Poker Tour
Peoples Poker Tour
I am sure that the people from FS&G will come up with something.
It is a bit hypocritical to call your self the Heartland without actually playing here much anymore.
Here is their upcoming schedule if you feel like traveling.

Dates                                                    Casino                                                    Location
August 8-18, 2011                           Turning Stone                                     Verona, New York
September 16-25, 2011                    Downstream                                       Quapa, Oklahoma
September 23-October 2, 2011        Golden Gates                                      Blackhawk, Colorado
September 30-October 9, 2011       Daytona Beach Kennel Club               Daytona Beach, Florida
October 30-November 6, 2011                                                                    Meskwaki Iowa
November 15-20, 2011                 Soaring Eagle—Championship Open    Mt Pleasant, Michigan
November 28-December 4, 2011 TBA TBA