Poker Central's WSOP DocuSeries Features Esfandiari, Moorman & More

Beyond the Rail

If you’re a fan of poker, you’ve likely made your way to Las Vegas for the annual World Series of Poker — or else it’s on your Bucket List. Whether it’s to play in events with hopes of joining countless legends of poker in winning a coveted WSOP gold bracelet, or just to be in the midst of poker greatness and rail the best players and biggest poker names in the world, thousands of poker lovers make their way to the Rio every summer.

“Beyond the Rail shows poker enthusiasts the intricate work of poker producers, the day-to-day humanity of the players themselves, and the sheer heart that everyone involved puts into making WSOP an annual success.”

Now, fans can get an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at all that goes into the “Super Bowl of Poker” as three-time bracelet winner Antonio Esfandiari calls it. Produced in cooperation with Primal NY, Poker Central’s latest short-form documentary series Beyond the Rail highlights some of the most significant facets that go into making the World Series of Poker the most flocked to poker series every year.

“The 2018 World Series of Poker is behind us, but the entertainment continues as fans get more access to the tournament than ever before,” said Sam Simmons, VP of content for Poker Central. “Beyond the Rail shows poker enthusiasts the intricate work of poker producers, the day-to-day humanity of the players themselves, and the sheer heart that everyone involved puts into making WSOP an annual success.”

Beyond the Rail Episode One – Antonio Esfandiari

Starting with an episode on the WSOP’s highest earning player, fans can peer into WSOP life for Esfandiari as cameras follow him during the 2018 series. This episode is available now on Poker Central’s YouTube channel.

What does the WSOP mean to “the Magician,” who has cashed more than $22 million in WSOP events over his career including winning the 2012 Big One for One Drop and has added ESPN commentator to his list of industry roles in recent years?

"It's the closest you'll get to actually living the World Series of Poker."

Esfandiari mentions the uniqueness of poker in that there aren't many places in the world where you can parlay a $100 satellite win into the possibility of winning $10 million.

“You can’t really do that in other sports because an amateur is never going to compete with the best in the world. Poker, because of the element of luck - that can happen. And I think that’s a beautiful thing.”

Indeed, the dream of winning the Main Event is one that drives thousands of poker aficionados to the WSOP every year, and Poker Central’s new series will shed light on the many hands that go into making the WSOP one of the most watched poker broadcasts every year.

The series features seven episodes in total, with the remaining six to stream exclusively on PokerGO, where you can watch the entire Beyond the Rail series this week.

Beyond the Rail Episodes

Episode SubjectPosition / WSOP role
Antonio EsfandiariProfessional poker player and ESPN commentator
Mori Eskandani2018 Poker Hall of Fame inductee and Co-Executive Producer at the WSOP
Dan GatiCo-Executive Producer at the WSOP
Chris MoormanProfessional poker player and winningest online poker player of all time
Drea ReneePoker Central host and massage therapist
All American DaveFood truck operator and fitness trainer
Drew AmatoLead photographer

"The team at PokerGO has provided incredible access and support for this project, which enabled us to do unprecedented things with Beyond The Rail," said Robert Conticelli, Executive Producer and President of Primal NY. "It's the closest you'll get to actually living the World Series of Poker. Primal NY’s style of filming was paramount to showcasing the atmosphere of this amazing event, giving viewers a sense of the real people on the ground at the WSOP who make it happen."

Sharelines
  • WATCH: The first episode of 'Beyond the Rail' with Antonio Esfandiari is now available.

  • For a behind-the-scenes look at the WSOP, check out the new mini-documentary series 'Beyond the Rail.'

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