It’s time for the TV networks to solidify the summer schedules, and poker was definitely part of the mix.  The Game Show Network (GSN) strengthened its hands in deals involving both High Stakes Poker and the World Poker Tour, and now stands as a broadcast destination for high-quality poker.  A few other things happened, too, so why wait anyy longer?  Here’s the best of the week:

World Poker Tour Leaves Bravo, Moves to GSN --  It had been rumored for months that the longtime marriage between Bravo Network and WPT Enterprises (WPTE), owners of the World Poker Tour, was on the rocks.  Those rumors proved true this week when WPTE announced that the sixth season of one of the longest-running poker TV shows would move over to the Game Show Network.  GSN has emerged as a force in televised poker, with its High Stakes Poker show one of the most-watched on the network, and a favorite of hardcore poker players and fans.

High Stakes Poker Returns for Season Four --  No new poker TV show has gained an audience as dedicated as those who watch High Stakes Poker, and the show will return for its fourth season on GSN with a whole new series of episodes that begin filming in May.  The show is heavy on the big-time pros and heavier still on the cash, with these players tossing around stacks of bills that represent mortgages and such for the rest of us mortals.  It’s a great show, without the forced frenzy that marks much of poker TV.  End plug, but go watch the program; it’s one of the latest, best things about poker.

It’s a Texas-Sized Poker Debate --  HB (House Bill) 3186 is the new piece of legislation introduced in Texas, which aims to fully legalize the spreading of cardroom style, raked poker games throughout the state.  The measure, introduced by State Rep. Jose Menendez, received its first public hearing last week, and received broad support from the poker community, including WPT founder Lyle Berman, PPA president Michael Bolcerek, and high-stakes players Clonie Gowen and Erick Lindgren, who offered testimony.  Popular opinion favors the legalization of poker in Texas, as called for within this measure, according to a major media poll released last week.  Opinion aside, however, there’s still a long road ahead for the passage of this or a similar law.

Davy’s Got a Stripper Pole... and Lots and Lots of Shoes --  It doesn’t quite put Imelda Marcos to shame, but David Williams likes to collect shoes, of the Nike athletic variety.  The first installment of Williams’ video blog at RawVegas.tv shows Williams showing off his new and largely unfurnished Vegas condo.  One can see the writing on the walls (and ceiling), though in this case it’s not words so much as the metallic curlicues of a guest artist’s pen.  Most unusual touch: Williams’s plan for a stripper pole on a windowed balcony overlooking the Strip.

BoS Boss Kaplan Snagged, Shipped to U.S. Custody --  BETonSports founder Gary Kaplan was the latest online-gambling figure to fall into the clutches of U.S. authorities, though this had been in the works for years.  Kaplan, a U.S. native with a previous New York gambling conviction, had moved to Antigua to run his BetonSports empire, even as the U.S. considered him a fugitive from justice on tax-evasion charges and had international warrants issued for his arrest.  Several sources indicate that a deal precipitated Kaplan’s surrender to police in the Dominican Republic, who in turn extradited him to St. Louis to join David Carruthers in answering charges related to BoS’s online bookmaking operations.  Fraud and racketeering charges top the list, but BoS’ online poker customers were also left in the lurch when the company suspended operations in the wake of Carruthers’ 2006 arrest.  BoS has not yet repaid any frozen funds to waiting customers.