GPInterview: Lon McEachern | The Voice of the WSOP

For over ten years now Lon McEachern has been the voice of the World Series of Poker on ESPN. Between conveying the gripping story lines to his audience and controlling his excellent co-star Norman Chad, McEachern’s play-by-play coverage of the granddaddy of all poker events has become as iconic as Moneymaker’s win, Texas Dolly’s career and the Poker Brat’s blowups.

Lon, thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us today. Before we get into the November Nine Final Table, I want to talk about your recent success at a WSOP Circuit event where you final tabled an event at Circuit Lake Tahoe – congratulations on your first line on the Hendon Mob! Talk to me about your experience…

I gotta say I like how this interview is starting off! Thanks, it was a great thrill to nail down my first cash with the added bonus of it coming at a WSOP-Circuit event. PLUS I managed to hang on to make the final table before going out in 4th place. I was very happy with the way I played and had tremendous support from the folks at 2Pair Magazine from here in California. I’m just getting ready to help them kick off their one year regional tour, of which I am their official ambassador, so the final table was a great way to get ready for that. Who knows if it will ever happen again but what a tremendous poker experience.

THE THRILL OF IT ALL

We are hours away from the start of this year’s November Nine. What’s the feeling when you’re about to kickoff the event when there is a buzz in the Penn and Teller Theatre combined with a really rowdy crowd?

It’s really hard not to give in to the giddiness of the moment. I’ve got a smile on my face now just thinking about those opening moments when 4 months of waiting and planning finally becomes reality, and millions of dollars are about to be handed out. The anticipation almost overwhelms the moment and it’s fun to see how each of the players reacts to the uniqueness of the setting differently.

You’re back in the booth with your partner Normand Chad, why does your combo work so well?

I think we understand each other’s roles very well. There is no hidden agenda or efforts to steal each other’s airtime. We both are committed to making the best shows possible and encourage each other to take chances or try something different from time to time. When you have the type of trust we have in each other it makes for a very creative atmosphere that, in turn, makes the show work. Plus I think he’s one of the funniest guys around and I can tell you that 93-96% of the time my laughs are genuine in reaction to something he says

Antonio Esfandiari also returns this year?

“The Magician” is a great addition to the booth during our Final Table coverage. He brings an insider’s knowledge that many of the pros have, but what sets Antonio apart is his rare ability to boil down complicated facets of the game into a language that most viewers can understand and learn from. He fits in quite well and is not shy about giving the needle to Norman once in a while which is fun to watch.

CALLING HISTORY

We celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Chris Moneymaker’s historic win in 2003. Did you have any idea what was about to happen – re: the poker boom – while you were covering that Final Table?

Had no idea at all. It was my first time at the Main Event Final Table (I hosted the 2002 show but was brought on after that show was shot) and was just trying to get the lay of the land and figure out how the producers were going to make this whole thing happen. No doubt it was an exciting time when Chris won against all odds but the real magic came into focus when the producers got their genius hands on the footage and wove a wonderful narrative of the entire event. It was a time that changed many, many lives, mine included.

Lon you launched a brand new website LonMcEachern.com, can you tell me what fans should expect when visiting the site?

It is an opportunity for me to connect with more poker fans. I get a real kick out of playing poker tournaments at various places and seeing the reaction of the fans of the show. They seems to enjoy hosting me and getting to know a little bit about what happens behind-the-scenes, or learn more about a specific player, or decide a prop bet on how many time Norman has really been married. The website is a virtual place to do the same thing. I’ll be writing blogs about my travels and family and hobbies. We’ve got some unique ring tones with my voice on the site that can be downloaded too. It’s in the early stages of life and I hope it will be a place that continues to grow and evolves based on what the fans like or don’t like.

FOOTBALL LON ON YOUR PHONE

I want to talk about those ringtones you’ve recorded for the site, how did you come up with the idea and may I say sir, it’s genius!!!

Well, it seems that the biggest tell I have at a poker table when I am trying to fly under the radar is my voice. Many times people say I look a little like that guy on TV, or maybe they won’t event notice I am there- but when I open my mouth heads turn and they realize it is me. So it seemed natural to expound on that and have a little fun with it. By the way for the folks who have not been to the site- there is no charge for the ringtones (like I could charge for that!).

You also provided coverage of the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) – I know it’s a stretch but can you find any similarities between the world of poker and the PBA?

Maybe not in the actual activity but certainly in format that brings together numbers of hopefuls. Some pros, some journeymen, some amateurs taking a shot at the big time. The same love of competition permeates each venue and the same courage to put it all on the line in an effort to challenge the best in the world is very evident. Everyone has someone to pay back home and following your dream no matter the consequences is a major factor for those two wonderful competitions.

I can’t let you go without talking a little San Jose Sharks hockey with you. Many people in my neck of woods would tend to write-off San Jose as a hockey market but I’ve actually been to a game at the now SAP Center, San Jose is a great hockey market, isn’t it?

From day one the support was there (and I was there on day one). Maybe the hockey knowledge is not as strong as it is in any of the Original 6 cities but for San Jose it was about more than hockey when they awarded a franchise. It was about being recognized as a major league city. After more than 20 years the fan support is even greater and the owners and management are committed to bringing the Cup to the Bay Area. We love our Sharks!

Putting you on the spot, have you picked a favorite to win the Main Event on Tuesday?

No, that’s a mistake I made early on. For one thing I am ALWAYS wrong. For another, I try to stay away from any subliminal rooting during a show lest I get sidetracked from an important moment. That being said, it’s hard not to think JC Tran will take it down. But there is so much talent at the table, from the big stack to the short, it would not be surprising for any of the November Niners to walk away with the bracelet.

Those that has access to ESPN’s coverage of the World Series of Poker Final Table event will be able to watch Lon describe all of the action as it happens starting on Monday and ending with the crowning of a new World Champion on Tuesday evening.

Be sure to visit Lon’s site at LonMcEachern.com to view his blogs and to download his free ringtones! You can follow Randy on Twitter: @LonMcEachern.