More Changes At The WSOP
2008-05-02 12:19:43
By:
Gene Bromberg
While most of the attention was focused on Harrah's decision to hold the final table of the Main Event in November, WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack announced several other changes and improvements that players will certainly appreciate.
First and foremost--the Poker Pavillion tent is gone. And good riddance too. Those who endured the sweltering conditions inside the tent will be thankful for that, as will those hardy souls who survived the windstorm in early June that nearly blew it over. I remember standing in the tent during the worst of it, the whole structure swaying back and forth, the metal struts groaning and signs falling from the ceiling, and thinking, "This is not how I'm going to die. I'm not going to die in a tragic poker-tent collapse. Uh-uh." Poker players should rejoice that the tent is no more.
Another big change is that the World Series will be held in FIVE separate rooms at the Rio. Instead of having tournaments, satellites, and cash games crammed in the Amazon Room (with the overflow scattered all over the casino), there's going to be a separate satellite room and a separate cage/registration/payout room. This also means that there will be more room between tables, making it easier for players (and reporters) to move around. There will also be no alternates seated this year--if an event has enough registrants they'll split it up into two Day Ones. That means no more lines of players ringing the Amazon Room waiting for players to bust so they could rush to their seat.
Speaking of lines, registration will start on May 28th, two days before the first event, which should hopefully mitigate the insane mob scene at the start of play last year. And while we're on the subject of lines, there will be increased restroom facilities. The lines could be long during breaks, especially during the no-limit events with massive fields, but I was savvy enough to locate some under-used facilities during my first week there. Walking a few extra steps is worth it when the option is standing in line with 50 bad-beat-story-telling poker players.
Pollack also said that the food will be better this year, and my stomach rumbled happily at that news. I think last year I ate 37 chicken caesar salads, 22 roast-beef sandwiches and 43 tuna wraps. Like everyone else I quickly learned to avoid the hamburgers and hot dogs, and while everyone agreed that the $4 nachos were the best bargain they ain't the easiest thing to eat when you're in a rush. I'm hoping they offer veggies of some sort this year, I think last year I brought a mild case of scurvy home with me.
Players will want to familiarize themselves with the new rules Harrah's has put in place. There's a new code of conduct, new rules governing sportsmanship, and new cell phone/digital gizmo rules. Cell phones must be silenced while you're at the table, and if you want to use your cell phone you have to be at least 1 table-length away from your own table. It's OK to use iPods or other mp3 players, but no iPhones, iTouches, or any other PDA that can connect to the internet.
That's a lot of infomation to digest...and those changes don't even include the biggest one of all, which of course is that the final table of the Main Event will be played in November. That decision has sparked, um, some controversy among poker players (I prefer "controversy" over "mass hysteria"), but attitudes may change if Harrah's can successfully impliment the other changes they've made. The 2007 World Series got off to a rocky start, but things did improve over time. If Harrah's can come out of the gate strong in 2008, it could make for one of the most successful World Series of Poker in history.
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