NBC, Caesars Extend NHUPC Deal

The NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship (NHUPC) will be held at Caesars in Las Vegas through 2012, according to an announcement made by NBC this week. 

The NHUPC debuted at the Golden Nugget in 2002, but the following year it moved to Caesars, where it has remained since.

Poker fans were not sure what to make of the NHUPC when it first started, as it seemed to be a “made for TV” event, especially since all of the players were included strictly by invitation.  The heads-up, bracket format had also never really been attempted in such a high-profile manner.  The event has gained popularity very quickly, however, and even thought it is shown in the middle of the day on Sundays in the spring, it has achieved respectable ratings.

Phil Hellmuth won the tournament in its first year, defeating Chris Ferguson in a best-of-three match.  Ted Forrest won in 2006, again beating Ferguson.  Paul Wasicka, runner-up at the 2006 WSOP Main Event, emerged triumphant in 2007, and Ferguson finally made it over the hump in 2008, taking down the title.