[Steve Ruddock]

Poker's recent ratings decline seems to be continuing, even for the telecast that started it all: The World Series of Poker on ESPN.

The network has seen an 8% decline after the first two weeks, and while numbers are not in for this week's episode 'Ante Up for Africa' it's unlikely the non-bracelet event will pull in viewers, despite the star-studded field from entertainment, sports, and of course poker.

ESPN dropped all non-Hold' Em events this year (including the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship) in an effort to capitalize on the popularity of Texas Hold' Em. So far it seems the move has not paid off.

Of course, ESPN is banking on its Main Event coverage to pull in viewers, but the current trend of poker's decline (slight as it may be) could be sending clear signals to the networks that the format needs to be tinkered with. We've all seen the big all-in hands, and crazy bluffs, it might be time for the telecasts to feature a bit on the more inconsequential hands --which can still be interesting.