What does everyone think about the major change to this year's WSOP Main Event?

Most of the Main Event will go as it usually has this summer. However, the big change is that when the final table is set, play will stop.

The final table will then take place live in November.

The benefits are that they get a ton of promotion out of it and it is more exciting for viewers since we won't all know who won it already. Lot of suspense.

However, I also see a couple major drawbacks. One is that the players can watch the tape between summer and November, and learn their opponents' strategies. Another is that the WSOP Main event is supposed to be an endurance test- a marathon. This totally changes the endgame and makes it a sprint instead.

Thoughts?

Hmm, Well I like the difference from a viewers perspective, gotta love the drama. But I totally see what you are saying about giving the players an oppurtunity to study their opponents. But all in all i think i like the new way. It'll be alot more exciting to see the win live!

If nothing else, it certainly will be a ton of promotion.

Yea, thats so true, I'm sure they'll go crazy with it, cause now they have a new concept to promote.

Yeah i like drama but not 5 months worth of it. I am kind of disapointed to hear that. The points above good as far as the down side. Talk about dragging it out.

Thanks
HDYCT

I agree with Jrod, in that it's supposed to be a marathon, no a sprint. The thing is, I'm pretty sure in the real world series of poker they take breaks too. Not months long breaks though. I think they stop to sleep, and if I remember correctly is a 3-4 day event.

The problem I see with taking a months long break is that it is basically like starting a tournament with a winners circle pre-established. Worse than that, one of the players is going to have a big stack. So they'd have to be really careful how they cut it. Momentum is important too.

I mean as a player if I had a chip lead, then was forced to stop till november, then sat down at the table and lost everything, I'd be pissed. Better just to have the whole thing in November.

I wonder if they will put it on a major network. And by the way I hate the idea, 5 months is ridiculous.

Yeah and now it is just a table of no names. So not even thinking about it. But, cant wait for all the other final table events to be on t.v. . I saw the first one with Kathy liebert, Mike Sexton, Andy bloch,and Nivad ?something?. $10,000 PLHE. A new one is on every tuesday night.

Thanks
HDYCT

The delay is not a good thing for poker, for exactly the reasons Jrod stated. The players can now record all the episodes and study them. Since when was studying 'film' (as NFL calls it), become a part of poker. Granted, with editing, most of the game isn't shown, but enough of the players are shown that tells and signs could be discerned.

As a viewer, I have lost complete interest in the final. Kind of like having the Super Bowl six months after the season has ended. It no longer is a game between the best of the season, it's a stand alone game where the outcome is interesting, but not significant.