World Series of Poker Makes Major Change to Main Event
Thursday May 1, 2008
An email I just got from the WSOP people confirms a rumor that had already been swirling around: The final table of the main event at the World Series of Poker will be played months and months after the rest of the World Series has ended, in November. According to the press release:
Related links:
“Our intent is to provide an even bigger stage for our players,” said Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the World Series of Poker. “Now fans and viewers will ask ‘who will win’ our coveted championship bracelet instead of seeing ‘who won.’ The excitement and interest surrounding our final nine players will be unprecedented.”While Daniel Negreanu, is quoted as being "very excited about this decision" I can't say I feel the same. I feel like part of the feat of the World Series Champ is the marathon endurance of surviving so many days of non-stop play. Also, it seems to me the time in between will allow players to learn about any poker pros at their table they may not have before. For instance, if Dan Harrington makes the final table and someone there hasn't read his outstanding books on No-Limit Hold'em, it gives them months to read the books, study his game, and change the way they play against him. What do you think of this news?
The Main Event will begin on July 3rd, with the Final Table being determined on July 14th. The nine players who advance to the Final Table will return to the Rio on November 9th to play down to just two players. The final two, will go head-to-head late in the evening on November 10th to determine the champion and winner of poker’s ultimate prize.
The winner of the Main Event is expected to be crowned in the early hours of November 11. ESPN will edit the two-day Final Table action and televise it in a two-hour program from 9:00-11:00 PM ET on Tuesday, November 11 just hours after the winner is crowned.
Related links:
Comments
I think it’s a great decision, although I do wish the lag were shorter. Maybe playing the final table over Labor Day weekend (early September), for example. They probably had some sort of TV-related reason for choosing Nov. 9 (a Sunday), but the lag just seems too long. Otherwise, I really like the decision.
What a pity! They don’t wait this long for and other championship event. In four months, all finalists could be dead! Blame it on casino and espn greed.
It´s absurd ; Why wait too long for crowning the champion ? It is not against poker , This is against any sport .
In 4 months the players can change their play for worse or for better , They can even be dead as another person said .
It´s completely absurd and It´s only for TV and money reasons .