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Opinion
Jul. 05, 2008
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EDITORIAL: Let's deal the cards

World Series of Poker kicks off main event

It started in 1970 with 30 players and little attention. Today it has evolved into perhaps the signature event for Las Vegas, featuring thousands of participants, dozens of events and millions of TV spectators.

It's the World Series of Poker, and on Thursday, the main event -- no limit Texas Hold 'em, with a $10,000 buy-in -- kicked off at the Rio hotel and casino.

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    • Last year's main event attracted 6,358 players, culminating in the $8.25 million winner's share going to Jerry Yang of Temecula, Calif.

    The poker craze, which took off in the early 2000s, has slowed. Participation in the main event was off a bit last year and expected to remain steady this year. But officials are hoping a new twist will create additional interest and suspense.

    In the past, fans may have known who won the tournament before the delayed TV footage aired weeks after the final table had concluded. But this year, the nine participants who make it to the final table on July 14 will have to wait until November to go head to head, and action will be aired on TV almost immediately, although not live.

    The point is to generate hype, anticipation -- and ratings.

    "From a competitive standpoint, there's no question amateurs have a huge advantage, huge based on the delay," said Daniel Negreanu, a four-time bracelet winner. "If I make the final table, they have a library of hands that they can look up on me on YouTube, just tons of footage that they can study."

    But, Negreanu added: "From a buzz standpoint, it's a no-brainer."

    Series Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack says the new format "is probably going to be a watershed for poker."

    We'll see. It was the innovative "pocket camera" -- allowing TV viewers to see the players' hole cards -- that helped bring poker to a mainstream audience and grow its popularity. Delaying the final table action is not without risks, but if it creates the anticipated buzz it will benefit even those currently grumbling about the change.

    Organizers of the tournament deserve credit for understanding that innovation is a key to moving forward.



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    Pete wrote on July 05, 2008 06:10 PM: By having a 3 month break before the final table, how are they moving the game forward?

    I cannot see how it helps the game any. However, I do see how it will benefit Harrah's even if it is like Fred says, that they will put the interest in the prize pool.

    How many hotel rooms will they fill up, again in November, that are full right now, from people that want to see it live?

    How much are they going to make in the poker rooms again, from those people that fill up the rooms in November?

    I can see all the benefits going to Harrah's, but none to the game and only one benefit to the pros if they have TV cameras on every table so pros can study the amateurs.


    Fred wrote on July 05, 2008 03:51 PM: I heard all the players that reach the final table will get paid out ninth place money and all the interest made during the break will be added back into the prize pool. Harrah's is doing the right thing and I applaud them for doing what they can to keep the great game of poker moving forward.


    snow*flake wrote on July 05, 2008 03:26 PM: It just amazes me that the high limit poker players could be cleaned up enough to put on T.V.

    The majority of them are crude meglomaniacs who just happen to have a skill that used to be kept in seedy back rooms. Poker has edged out pool which was also a game hustlers.

    But put anything on T.V. and they will come running. What's next, poker in the Olympics?


    Jake wrote on July 05, 2008 04:03 AM: Just another way for Harrah's to hold on to the money a little bit longer. Just look at the top 9 pay-outs, how much money are they going to make off of that in interest or invested in the funds of the new owners?

    Can it be more money invested in oil?