The World Series of Poker today officially announced that the final table of the 2008 main event will not compete on July 16 as originally scheduled but, instead, the players will reconvene Nov. 9-10.
The idea behind the change is to create more buzz, and, according to Jeffrey Pollack, the Commissioner of the WSOP, this will allow fans and viewers to ask “who will win” instead of seeing “who won.”
The rest of the 2008 WSOP schedule will remain the same. Further details on this and more are going to be relayed to Card Player via a conference call later today. Check back in at CardPlayer.com later, as more information will be posted.
POSTED ON: May 13, 2008
What a joke! When Harrah's took over the WSOP, I knew that they would screw it up. They were in such a hurry to blow off Binions and do their own thing. I see that the Golden Nugget is coming up with their own Month long tournament series - The Grand. Could be interesting.
POSTED ON: May 04, 2008
One or Two weeks would suffice, OBVIOUSLY.
POSTED ON: May 03, 2008
I do like the idea of a break before the final table for two reasons--it does allow some build up, anticipation, etc. As it is now you don't know ANYTHING about the final table players with maybe 1 exception. This could give people a chance to find a rooting interest in someone other than, "Hey--I like his hat." Second, these guys are worn out after a week of long days of intense/stressful poker for a boat-load of money. Let them get refreshed a little. But 4 MONTHS?! Insane. WAY, WAY too frickin long. I can only guess the idea is to show the whole tournament edited on ESPN, then the Final Table right at the end without already knowing who won. Not a good idea. 2 week break, TOPS, anything else is ridiculous.
POSTED ON: May 02, 2008
The only reason I play in this event is because I do not have to weigh in! Now I have a shot to become The BIGGEST LOSER!!!!!
POSTED ON: May 02, 2008
This is a bit of a sell out - I mean the WSOP and Harrahs are trying to squeeze every $$$$ it can out of the Main Event. This could blow up in their face if three or four of the final table players refuses to join in in the dog and pony show that will take place in September and October. IF I was one of the final table players I would ask for a cut of the pie, to start with upfront money of about $ 250,000 to play along. After all this might very well be my 15 minutes of fame and I will be looking to get paid. Also, If all 9 final table join together they could pretty much get more. Remember what Gordon Gecko said, "Greed is Good."
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Absolutely, completely ridiculous. ESPN and Harrahs have completely screwed up what was once a prestigious event. What a joke these people are! This is an all-time winner in a long history of bad ideas.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This now becomes a seperate tourniment.In the past the wsop states in April and ended in early May. Now they have us coming to Vegas in June and finishing in Rino in November. Nobody wants to be in Vegas in june nor Rino in November.Espn&Harrahs figures to make a lot of money with this change. How much are they passing on to the players?Since Harrahs has taken over the wsop the costs in rake and accomadations have gone up way to much enough is enough.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Great idea!! They should do this with all sports...Super Bowl, Masters, even the Kentucky Derby...take the top three horses and have them race off in November--start 'em at the exact distance they were at the far turn! Can't wait to see the final game of the NBA Finals in October, which would be perfect timing because the deciding game of the MLB World Series would now be in February, which will be good because we'll have something to watch instead of the Super Bowl, which will now be in May!
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
The PLAYERS get the interest...not the casino
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This is so bad for the players who will have to wait many months before payday.... Makes no sense.... what if one of the players gets into a car accident and dies? THen what? he ends 9th because hes waiting to play a final table? I can see a months wait okay but 3 months? so the casino can make more money off the interest on the prizepool?
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This is so bad for the players who will have to wait many months before payday.... Makes no sense.... what if one of the players gets into a car accident and dies? THen what? he ends 9th because hes waiting to play a final table? I can see a months wait okay but 3 months? so the casino can make more money off the interest on the prizepool?
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
The players do...and they all get 9th place money before the final table is played
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Who gets the interest generated off the final table prize pool?
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
I'd like to make tons of money from sponsorship deals too...
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Gee I wonder why Negreanu who makes tons of money from sponsorship deals and the like would disagree...
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Negreanu would disagree with most of you...check it out http://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/blogs/article/453
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This is a joke. It has to be. Let's take a scenario into account here.......... I make the final table. I am the chip leader by just say 3X my closest competitor. We break until November. I go out to the lake on labor day weekend. I die in a jet ski accident. Do I just get blinded off? God forbid something like that should happen but it could. Or how about Me getting to know Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey very closely during the break. I think I would pick up some unknown knowledge which I didn't have 4 months prior. This is ridiculous. If this is accurate, I am boycotting the Main Event this year.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
I agree with all the other Bloggers *Collusion *What if somebody has a major accident, gets ill, dies, etc. *When you running hot your running hot - 4 months can change it all. *there will be a lot of underground BS going on!!!! * I think this really impacts the integrity of the WSOP - it's all about TV $$$$$$ and not the players - AHHH GET OUTTA HERE!!!
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Tournamets are won by making a series of decisions based on limited information, but at least if you have been in the "ZONE" for 7 days you may have had an opportunity to play against some of the other 8 players over the course of the tournament and be able to make decisions based on the way they have been playing. Now give the 9 players $750,000 a piece and 4 months to go practice and change there game up, NOW THAT COMPLETELY SUCKS!!!
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
April Fool's on May 1st? I had to double check my calendar! This is ridiculous!
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Bad Beat: Huge chip lead when you hit the final table, but you die 2 weeks before November
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
The move reeks of panic . . . Pollack fears the WSOP Main Event is no longer the premier event . . . and this move will ensure its supplanted by the WPT.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Hey, I fogot one thing. What's to stop collusion between 2 or 3 players at the final table? 3 Months to come up with a great game plan between a couple of people is a long time. What is the WSOP putting in place to stop this?
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
1 week of poker when YOU"RE IN THE FOCKIN ZONE......lol then taking a 4 month lay off....HAHAHAHHA lot of things can happen to you in that time span.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This is as nutty as a snickers bar. Who is the big giant head behind this idea? Who wants to wait 4 months for their payday? I predict a decent size drop off in players in the main event because of this. If your an international player, you have to come back from who knows where to complete the tourney? And WSOP organziers and saying their doing this for an international crowd. Thats just nuts. Don't worry folks, this is going to be a 1 year thing. However, if the pro's got together and voiced their opposition, and threating to boycott, I bet it gets switched back in a hurry. Remember, the people determine the sucess of the WSOP, not the Brand Name that owns it this year.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
soooooo gey
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS A JOKE.....I know I won't be playing in this event, but Let's get real. Jeffery Pollack should finish baking these ideas before they make an announcement. I have had some horrible ideas in my life, but this makes mine look brilliant. THIS ISN'T SURVIVOR. PLEASE RETHINK THIS. TOO MANY THINGS CAN HAPPEN IN THAT DOWNTIME, ABOVE AND BEYOND THE INTEREST ON 20+MILLION. If I were able to make it to that final I would want it over with while I was still in that zone, not months later when they have all changed their game. Please tell me this is a JOKE.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
I'm wondering why, as Mr. Pollack says, "This change in how the Main Event final table is staged will bring the excitement and drama of high-stakes WSOP tournament play closer to millions of fans around the globe." Wait, so people AREN'T interested in July? Isn't one of the great things about global communication the fact that everyone who wants to CAN pay attention to poker tournaments when they are actually happening?
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
WHAT??? WHO GET'S THE INTEREST??? IDIOTS
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
That is retarded. 3 to 4 months is flat out stupity. Someone get a pychological evaluation of the minds in charge. THEY NEED HELP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Please tell me it was just a mistake and you are kidding around right?
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
The change is total BS pay now play in final in NOV is crazy.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Awful, awful idea. I think the final 9 should agree to play the final table at another site in succession with the beginning days, have a camera crew film it, sell the rights to it and split the proceeds amongst the 9. When it comes time for the actual final and come to a gentlemans (or legally drawn up) agreement that come the day for the 'real' final table, they all lose in the order they did at the independent game, leaving no suspense for the cameras and driving the ratings for the ESPN broadcast to nil.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Speaking of SICK!!! That is the sickest thing I ever heard of. My god. Lose all that excitement. Maybe a week or 2 but 3 months. Who will care then? WOW. At the very least, every player should get 9th place money immediately. I hope this is a joke or publicity stunt. Is it April 1 today or May 1st. I need to check the calender. OUCH! I just got rivered again by a 1 outer!!!
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Signed up just to vent about this . . . What happens with the prize money over the course of 4 months? Last year top 9 were awarded about $22.5 million. Harrah's gets to sit on that for four months? As others have said, the delay will do nothing but compromise the integrity of the game . . . and when it comes to integrity, the PERCEPTION of collusion is just as damaging as actual collusion. And what about fan interest in the earlier days of the tournament? Why am I going to follow cardplayer updates in July when the winner isn't decided until November? I tell you. I WON'T follow the updates. And I WILL NOT play another hand of cards at a Harrah's owned casino (which is most of them). Luckily I still live somewhere I have a choice. Frankly, I predict that uproar to this will be so strong, the decision won't stand and Jeffrey Pollack will lose his job. He should with something ad moronic as this.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Hopefully a month late April Fool's joke by Cardplayer :P
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This is absolutely retarded. Total screwjob to those who make the FT.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
The question is is Harrahs going to pay interest on the roughly 22 MIL in prize money they will be holding for 4 months?
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
looks like danny boy and the socalled poker reps have sold players out once again to fill thier own pockets
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
uggg...
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Here's the Press Release. Some of it may have been edited for truth. AS VEGAS – May 1, 2008 – The World Series of Poker® (WSOP) Presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light today announced a groundbreaking change that will more closely align the televised presentation of the world’s largest, richest and most prestigious poker tournament with other premier sports broadcasts. (RATINGS, RATINGS, SHOW ME THE RATINGS). The last nine players of the $10,000 World Championship of No-Limit Texas Hold’em, known as the Main Event, will compete on November 9-10 instead of the originally scheduled date of July 16. (Ratings, Cash-Money) “Our intent is to provide an even bigger stage for our players (and our shareholders, ratings, ratings, ratings, money, money, money.” 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 ‘who won.’ The excitement and interest surrounding our final nine players will be unprecedented.” (Just like the new Aston Martin I will be sporting after the event is through.) This change in how the Main Event final table is staged will bring the excitement and drama of high-stakes WSOP tournament play closer to millions of fans around the globe. (Millions of fans, millions of dollars...cha-ching) All other 2008 WSOP tournament structures and schedules remain unchanged. (...for now...muhhahahah) This announcement affects only the final nine players of Event #54, the Main Event World Championship. Continuing the trailblazing (aka devastating) efforts that have made the WSOP the industry standard, this move is being made in close collaboration with ESPN, the television rightsholder of the WSOP, and the WSOP Players Advisory Council (PAC), the commissioner-appointed committee of professional and amateur poker players who provide guidance and perspective to the WSOP leadership team. (Again, let me reiterate: Money, money, money, cash, cash, ratings, screw integrity) "It's an exciting time for the World Series of Poker and ESPN, (and for us to rake in the dough. Soon we'll have WSOP 'The Flamethrower' -The kids will love it" said Jamie Horowitz, senior producer, ESPN Content Development. "This adjustment will add a new element to a very successful and popular event. We look forward to documenting all of the exciting stories that make the WSOP Main Event the seminal competition in all of poker." (and of course destroying the game anyway possible to squeeze every iota of $ out of it) That's pretty much it. Of course, I might be paraphrasing.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
moron begets morons begets mornonic ideas. fire evryone at harrahs and put a monkey in charge.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
I can see maybe moving it a week or two down the road like the NFL does with the Super Bowl to greate buzz but Nov? Way out of wack!
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Unreal. We'll be left with most likely 6-8 amateurs fending off every pro wanting to coach them for the hiatus. Someone needs to challenge this decision to the Nevada Gaming Board. The "lucky 9" could also be put in danger as they won't have the security afforded them at a casino during the hiatus.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
While we're at it, let's play Game 7 of the World Series in April. That'll create buzz.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This is a terrible idea. Why don't we take a tie football game down to the final 3 seconds with one team in field goal range, and then take a one week break to build up the "buzz"? Just think of all of the cool things we could learn about the center, the holder and the kicker. Here's another one: bases loaded with two outs in the 9th and down by one run, let's force the batter to wait a week to build up the excitement. There are no end to bad ideas. Please reconsider! You are screwing up a great tournament.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
I have one word to say, and if you people agree with me, you should spread it around on all the boards: "B O Y C O T T". PeteTheRock
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Not only that, but this increases the opportunity to fix the final table exponentially. More time for the final table participants to agree to a chop on the side, more time for disreputable interests to threaten final table participants if they don't throw the game to a player they have an interest in, more time for players to agree to gang up on other players. This decision may ruin the WSOP after nearly 40 successful years. I seriously hope they reconsider this. This is a joke.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Honestly, I don't understand how anyone would think that this is a good idea, ever. The reason people ask "who won" is because there's not always a recognizable face to casual poker fans at the final table. If it's a bunch of people I don't know, I'm not going to be interested in rooting for anyone ESPECIALLY if it's 4 months down the road. If the people who make these decisions are getting paid to just make decisions to try and make it better (like the weird diagonal cards a few years back), then whoever is in charge needs to redirect that budget for something else. Like a better registration system, perhaps. Foolish, completely foolish.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This is truly despicable on the part of Harrah's. It's worse than making college football players wait over a month after the regular season has ended top lay the national championship game. If you've played well enough through four days to make the WSOP main event final table, you're probably in the zone. You're in that frame-of-mind poker players need to be in to win it all. This change COMPLETELY removes that key element now. I have a suggestion. Round up Hellmuth, Brunson and all the other most influential figures in the game today, and create a new WSOP at Bellagio or something. I mean seriously, what's next? A WSOP Final Table Reality Show?? "9 players, picked to live in casino, for 4 months, while they wait to for millions." C'MON!!!
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
TERRIBLE DECISION! Will be nice if nobody play the main event!!! SOMEONE has to do something. Who's keeping the interest of the money for 4 months? What are they going to do with the money?
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Are you kidding me? this is the worst news I ever could of heard
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Wow. Harrah's, you continue to screw EVERYTHING about the WSOP up. Great...
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
That's just stupid.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
They are really sandbagging the final tablists by delaying the final table. I cannot think of any sound logic for doing this other than trying to make extra revenue on the buzz. It will certainly give any amateur that makes the final table a chance to quit their job, practice poker 24/7, pick up a sponsorship from an internet poker site, and bring them into the realm of famous poker players. Now that I think about it, these players will have a lot of practice and study time so it may be one of the most competitve final tables ever. It will be hilarious if someone gets severely outdrawn the first hand after waiting 4 months for their chance at 1st place. HA
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
What if Doyle Brunson makes the final table? God forbid, but he could die in that time span! Any one of the finalists could. This is a very bad idea.
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
Harrahs is bound and detrmined to screw up what has always been just about a perfect system. Have they not learned anything form their past mistakes??? 1. Let's raise all the buy-in so that the Main Event has no more special-ness or cache? If there are 6 or 7 or more $10,000 buy-ins then what is so special about the Main Event? 2. Let's change the registration process so that early registers have to wait in the same long lines as everyone else and the lines and people who run them are stupid and outrageous. 3. Let's re-design the cards so they are un-readable! 4. Now this: let's make it painful for those visitors in town who planned on staying through the final table -(a bonus since we traveled here anyway) now have to come back in November? They aren't gonna do it (they have lives!) and everyone loses! Harrahs and the WSOP need some people in there who understand the everyman and events!!! If it ain't broke - don't break it. Shame on them...
POSTED ON: May 01, 2008
This the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard, i mean maybe wait 3 days but 4 effin months come on. Any amatuer play will probably go broke spending all the potential winnings b4 actually getting it.....stop hollywooding poker!!!