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This year’s World Series of Poker is chockfull of changes — signifi cant revisions to the rules, schedule, buy-ins, and structures. All these changes, I believe, will make this WSOP the best yet.
RULES
There are some interesting shifts in the offi cial rules of the WSOP this year. I advise each and every player to give the 15-page, 97-rule document a good once-over before the tournament starts. Some highlights:
Rule 35: “The F-bomb” rule has changed. Players using profane language that is targeted at another player or a member of the staff will be penalized at the discretion of the tournament staff — no more automatic penalties for the F-bomb.
Rule 36: “Excessive Celebration” will result in a penalty. This rule is aimed at some of the perverse, ridiculous theatrics that have risen to prominence over the last few years. This is a most welcome addition and should cut down on idiots looking for TV time.
Rule 48: “Intentional Stalling” will now garner a very welldeserved penalty. The tournament staff are going to be much more watchful for this kind of behavior.
Rule 86: “Late Entrants” rule states that you will no longer be blinded off when you are entering a tournament late. You can register at the last minute and be given a full stack, but then you must wait until the big blind to receive your fi rst hand.
Rule 87: “Phones” must be silenced during play. You must be a full table length away from your table to use your phone. Any phone use while at the table, whether in a hand or not, will result in a penalty.
Rule 88: “Music Players” are allowed, but iPhones, Treos, Blackberrys, and other devices capable of accessing the internet are not allowed.
Rule 93: “No Food Break” for tournaments that are starting at 5pm. You can fi nd a complete copy of the rules at http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/pdfs/wsop.tournamentrules. 08.pdf
BIGGER BUY-INS
In what is sure to be a controversial move, the WSOP has signifi cantly raised the buy-in for the events considered “Championship” events: They are all $10,000 now. Events with that stratospheric buy-in include: Pot Limit Hold’em (5/30) Mixed Games (6/4) — Triple Draw, Limit Hold’em, Omaha H/L, Razz, Stud, Stud H/L, No Limit Hold’em, and PLO Seven Stud (6/7) Heads-Up No Limit Hold’em (6/13). Note: Limited to 256 entrants. Limit Hold’em (6/15) Omaha H/L (6/19) Pot Limit Omaha (No rebuys or add-ons) (6/29) No Limit Hold’em – The Main Event (7/3)
The prestige of winning any one of these big buy-in events will be substantial. Consequently, there will be a tremendous temptation for the top pros to give all of these big buy-in events a go. As a result, I predict quite a few depleted bankrolls following this WSOP. It will be very interesting to see how many players will choose to buy in at this level for these less popular forms of poker.
Other buy-ins have not changed. The $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event is back. And no consideration was given to raising the $10,000 buy-in for the Main Event this year.
IMPROVED STRUCTURES
One of the most important and welcome changes to the WSOP is the improvement of the structures. Harrah’s and the WSOP proved that they are dedicated to providing the best, fairest structures in poker. The Competition Committee worked long and hard at devising structures that would give great value to those fortunate enough to make it deep in the tournaments.
Howard Lederer, one of the members of the committee, had this to say about the structure changes: “We’ve put in a ton of work on the structures, and I think all of the players will be very happy with the results. The No Limit and Pot Limit structures are the same as last year in the early going, but we’ve added some signifi cant levels late in the play that will give the players in the money much more time and value. The Limit structures have changed dramatically: We’ve eliminated quite a few of the early limits and added more levels later in the play. In the past, you could almost never lose more than 25% of your stack in the Limit tournaments during the fi rst few levels. Now, if you suffer the same sort of bad luck, you can go broke in the fi rst few hours. But, as the fi nal table approaches, the limits go up much more smoothly and should give the best players a better chance at a bracelet.”
For an example, consider the $1500 Limit Hold’em event structure: 50/100, 75/150, 100/200, 150/300, 200/400, 300/600, 400/800, 500/1000, 600/1200, 800/1600, 1000/2000, 1200/2400, 1600/3200, 2000/4000, 3000/6000, 4000/8000, 5000/10000, 6000/12000. Note the additions of the 1200/2400 level and the very slow progressions when it counts the most. This improvement should really benefi t the best players. It’s a testament to the WSOP that they are willing to absorb the extra costs associated with these changes without increasing the tournament rake.
PLAYERS’ COMMITTEE
This is the fi rst full year that Harrah’s has been working with the Players’ Committee. This very large group of high profi le pros helps Harrah’s with all aspects of the WSOP. If you have a suggestion, complaint, or observation about the WSOP, seek one of these people out and voice your opinion.
Current members of the committee include Mickey Appleman, Marissa Chien, TJ Cloutier, Annie Duke, Wendeen Eolis, Bob and Maureen Feduniak, Chris Ferguson, Phil Gordon, Barry Greenstein, Jennifer Harman, Howard Lederer, Daniel Negreanu, Tom Schneider, Cyndy Violette, Robert Williamson III, and Steve Zolotow.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
The 2008 WSOP starts on May 30th, the day after my fi rst child is due. Alexander “Xander” Gordon is going to be my top priority this year. Although I plan on playing a few events, family comes fi rst. I sincerely hope to win my fi rst bracelet this year, but I think even that elusive accomplishment would pale in comparison to the prize that is coming for me at the end of May. Good luck at the WSOP this year – it will continue to be the greatest six weeks of poker in the world.
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