News / Matthew Pitt / 05 June 2008 / 1 Comments

Delaying the Main Event final table concerns Mathew Pitt

It's WSOP time again but the poker world must be patient before being able to crown its 39th Main Event World Champion.

Last year, 6,358 players took to the felt hoping that it was their turn for glory and after 12 days of gruelling action it was amateur Jerry Yang who took the coveted bracelet, as well as a cool $8,250,000 for his troubles. This year though, it is going to be very different.

The Main Event kicks off on July 3 and the hordes of hopeful players will fight it out at the tables until nine remain - at which point the tournament will be paused! The players will then have a 117-day wait until play resumes on November 9.

Play will then recommence until only two players have chips left and the tournament will again be put on hold until the following day, when the two remaining players will compete in a heads-up battle for the title of World Champion.

The rationale behind the idea is that TV crews can film the final table and broadcast it after a two-hour delay to increase revenue for the WSOP as well as boost publicity for poker in general.

The new structure has caused a stir and been greeted with a mixed response among players but surely the new format adversely alters the dynamics of the final table.

Ten-time bracelet winner Johnny Chan welcomes the idea, saying: "Poker is a game of skill. The hands are random... I don't believe in hot streaks."

However, 2004 World Champion and PokerStars pro, Greg Raymer, is a little more sceptical and argues: "The long gap allows players to become totally different people between the time they make the final table and when they play it".

The change brings with it different demands while it also offers lucrative opportunities for the players who reach the final table as they will surely be able to negotiate significant sponsorship deals.

If the "live" broadcast of the final table attracts new players to the game then all well and good but I can't help but worry that it takes away some of the magic of the WSOP.

Imagine if the FA Cup final ended in a draw and before they had the penalty shootout to decide the winner, the players and fans had to wait three months to complete the game!

Sound ridiculous? Well that's basically what will happen at the WSOP Main Event this year.

The momentum is lost and how will that effect followers yet alone players?

I have my fingers crossed that it will be for the good of poker and it's not just a case of the WSOP selling its soul to the TV companies. They wouldn't do that - would they?