With the news that they would broadcast the World Series of Poker in High Definition, ESPN got a reaction – maybe unexpected – from the host himself, Norman Chad.  According to this news article, Norman Chad couldn’t understand why.

For poker?” Chad asked rhetorically this week in an interview with the Los Angeles Daily News. “We need to see high def on the queen of hearts? She looks good even in black and white.”

Chad, a former writer for The Washington Post, often delivers biting comments about the players (and their play) on the poker series. But it appears that his acerbic barbs go beyond the participants and into the production booth.

“High def would have been great for Neil Armstrong planting a flag on the moon. But for the flop on a 3-6-10? Maybe I’m behind the curve,” he told The Daily News.

Now I would not call myself as being anti HDTV.  In fact, the whole idea blows me away.  It is probably obvious to you at this point that I still do not have HDTV – not that I do not want to have one.  Maybe that is why I am tending to agree with Norman Chad.  Why the heck would you need to watch WSOP in HD?

Then again, there is the argument that it is not all about need but want.  I suppose this is where ESPN is going to score points.  I don’t know.  Ask yourself – is the price of HDTV worth watching poker in it?