Comments | terrencechan: WSOP final table delayed until November

terrencechan

WSOP final table delayed until November

May 01, 2008 00:39

So, as was rumoured, the WSOP main event final table will be held in November, allowing ESPN to do a live-ish final table broadcast. Story here, with some comments from Daniel Negreanu, Greg Raymer and Johnny "Not Terrence" Chan: World Series of Poker stretches out Main EventThey pretty much have all the bases covered (coaching, studying video, ( Read more... )

poker, casino stupidity

Comments 10

whipartist May 1 2008, 07:58:55 UTC

Don't forget... they get to keep the final table money until November. You just made the final table of the WSOP, but you won't see a dime of it for four months.

terrencechan May 1 2008, 08:07:48 UTC

Yeah, I mean that stuff *might* be offset somewhat by the increased sponsorship money (although I dunno, even current interest rates * $8 million = decent money). And the players might have time to explore various options like buyouts (some big corporation buys say 80% of a player's perceived equity for some fixed amount) which might be beneficial to them and allow them to get the money immediately. So probably, the nine guys who are actually there won't be harmed too much. My objections are more along the lines that: 1) once again, players are putting up their own money to provide free entertainment for ESPN and 2) there is the potential for some sort of massive unforeseen disaster that fucks everything up.

jellymillion May 1 2008, 10:05:23 UTC

I thought it was the 1st of May. Must have got the month wrong.

adbploink May 1 2008, 10:12:50 UTC

I would be very surprised if they didn't immediately pay out 9th place money to all participants (but then again it's Harrah's so all bets are off).

Not addressed is the issue of illness or death. Do you get to appoint a substitute or are you just blinded off? Does it mean that women who are 5 months pregnant shouldn't play because they might be about to or just having given birth?

IMO a completely horrible decision.

rcfox May 1 2008, 17:42:34 UTC

Harrah's will be paying 9th place money to everyone who makes the final table in July. But if someone dies, tough--they're blinded off.

Harrah's will also put the final table funds in a CD (or similar no-risk financial instrument) and the winner will get the interest.

The only potential good that comes out of this is increased viewership. There are lots of potential bad points, and if you're a conspiracy theorist you've got a lot to work with....

joepro May 1 2008, 13:08:38 UTC

I think it's a necessary evil, because this event was on the brink of extinction. (obv. not the event, the tv part.)

I'm **SURE** harrahs will take the utmost care to ensure THE PLAYERS are happy with this arrangement. Since they have such a great history of taking care of the players.

Hate to say it, but it's an event with an entry fee, so when you pay your $10k and sign that waiver, it's on. I do think this is another example of why the players need a real union tho.

kutuz_off May 1 2008, 15:41:25 UTC

This also places undue burden on players who have to travel long distances to get to WSOP. Even those traveling within USA will be ecstatic to go through airport controls a few extra times for no good reason.

entrager May 1 2008, 16:31:46 UTC

Somehow I doubt anyone that's about to play for millions of dollars minds a little extra travel. I certainly wouldn't.

frayedges May 1 2008, 17:50:03 UTC

I feel sort of bummed because, since I'm a student, it'll be harder for me to attend if anyone I know makes the final table. It's a lot easier to travel if it's just one bit of time in the summer. But I'm not playing myself, so I guess it doesn't matter too much.