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Filling The WSOP Void

PADRAIG Parkinson says the delay to the WSOP Main Event Final 9 is a disaster.

Parkinson recalls 2002 WSOP winner Robert Varkoni, a man less than charismatic and media hungry.

But his media moment was overshadowed by Phil Hellmuth having his head shaved. Hellmuth's hair cut was considered better telly for ESPN than Varkoni's win.

So to this year's hiatus. The danger is that the nine finalists will be less exciting than Hellmuth's pate.

Sponsors can market them and gee them up but if the players are sterile and don't play the media game, or don't play it well, then much is lost.

But, as Parkinson, notes, this gives the chance for the more charismatic pros like Hellmuth to fill the void with hours and hours and hours of chatter...

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