WSOP to Delay the Main Event Final Table

LAS 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.

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.

Read the original Harrah's release:

http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/news/article.asp?newsid=2008

We've been discussing this on the thread in the WSOP area called "WTF..."

Very thoughtful post, Erik.  If I may expound on some of your thoughts and relating to Daniel’s pros.

I’m not sure media attention will help the UIGEA.  In an election year, it can’t see it being any kind of banner anyone (other than us) would take into political battle.  Typical issues are going to rule the day: economy, taxes, healthcare, gas prices, War on Terror, etc.  Along those lines, I’m not sure the degenerate angle will hold much affect either.  It doesn’t seem to interfere with the strength and popularity of either Hip Hop or Hard Rock music genres, which seem to gain some “street cred” with negative publicity.  UIGEA is a lobbyist battle, fought and being won probably by the likes of Harrah’s right now.  Although if that’s true, I think it’s very short sided of them, as strong internet poker will trickle down to stronger casino interest.  Perhaps they aren’t on the opposite side of this?

-more hype and build up for pokers premiere event

(Only for those already in the game. Little impact for those not already interested in poker)

I have to disagree with this from the stand point that The Moneymaker effect had a profound impact on the poker world, and as the popularity has plateaued, another idea such as this may indeed bring a renewed interest, and reach even further.  No, we’re not going to see the jump that the Moneymaker effect had, but it will have an effect.

-better ratings for the final episode

(Essentially only helps corporations not the players as the players dont share in this increased revenue)  I must agree with you here, and why Daniel mentions it, I’m not really sure, just stating the obvious, I suppose.  9 of the players MAY get a bump from it in some form of notoriety, but, I doubt that translates into much for anything in the game, or for players 3-9, who largely go forgotten.

-makes the WSOP final table more of a sporting event rather than a documentary

(I disagree with this. Poker is NOT a sport. Its a game. Trying to make it a sport is the wrong move, IMO)  Again, I agree with the premise that poker isn’t a sport, it’s a game.  Don’t make it a sport.  But, I do agree with Daniel that making it an EVENT, not a documentary, is a positive, will generate interest, which will bring money into the game, be it more players, or corporate.  It doesn’t have to be a sport players to still want the game to flourish, and offer better opportunities.

-follows even more of a reality TV model that has proven to be successful in attracting fans

(This helps players how? It helps the game how? if anything it 'Hollywoodizes' poker which may not be a good thing. OK so we may get a few more characters like Phil Helmuth.May help bring people to the game, but then again hasnt method already been achieved 2-4 years ago? Reality TV is on the decline, by the way.)  Again, Daniel seems to be falling for the corporate line more here, that being ESPN.  Obviously players like Daniel think the sport needs more visibility, and while that’s great for them and their endorsement deals, I do share your concern of “to what end?”  I will argue though, that Reality TV is only on the decline because they’ve tried just about every frickin’ thing they can, there’s very little new under the sun.  I do agree with Daniel, that this is along those lines for viewer excitement.  But, at the expense of drastically changing the game, that we agree on Erik.  I’m not comfortable with that either.

Daniel goes on to say “lets try it, if it don’t work, we’ll go back”.  Sounds “safe” enough.  But, I’m not sure you let this genie out, the corporations will let you put it back without a fight, or without it failing miserably.  It will be here for as long as they deem it profitable.  Players be damned.

The main point of poker is the money, and there’s always someone working it to get all they can.  No difference here.  I think this is a battle that we’ll be able to assess who was right at the end of it, but, it’s going to have to play out.  I doubt if the winning side will let the other side live it down, regardless of outcome.