Changes to 2010 WSOP; Bye Bye $40K Event
There’s already talk about some changes to next years’ WSOP, and the final table of the 2009 Main Event hasn’t even occurred yet.
First of all, the $40K Hold’Em event might be cancelled entirely. This year, this event marked the 40th anniversary of the WSOP, and according to director Seth Palansky, was never meant to be an annual event. “The $40k event was a good event. It was a successful event. But it made sense because it was the 40th annual World Series of Poker. That buy-in amount or the event doesn’t really fit when you’re not in your 40th year” said Palanskly when questioned about the decision to drop it from the event roster.
This event was one of the few highlights of this past seasons series. It attracted over 200 participants, all of which the best in the poker world, to compete for the nearly $1.9M first place payout. And despite being well received by both players and event organizers, its doubtful if it will return in next years format. “We announced them and intended them as one-year specials” Palansky stated earlier this month. When it was announced, Palansky warned people that the tournament should not be viewed as an annual event, and despite his warning, industry people and players expected a return, especially since many other tournaments across the globe already feature high roller events of $25k or more. When asked if there would be any kind of high roller event in upcoming series, Palansky was doubtful at best, but didn’t shut the door on the idea completely.
“We didn’t want it to be ‘the pros’ no limit hold’em championship, and here’s one for everyone else” (referring to the Main Event).
Reaction to the news is mixed. Isaac Haxton, who finished rummer up to Vitaly Lunkin in the event this past year, believes Palansky is making a mistake by not having it return, especially considering the amount of rake an event such as this would bring in to Harrah’s. Chris Ferguson also agrees it is a mistake to let this event die so quickly. “I think this year proved that the $40k event is a great event, but no is going to call the winner of the $40k event the world champion of poker. It doesn’t have nearly the prize pool of the main event. I don’t think there’s any question as to who the real work champion is” Ferguson stated.
However, there are some players who agree with the decision.
Six time bracelet winner T.J. Cloutier, who didn’t play the $40k event this year stated there were already plenty of opportunities in the current schedule without the $40k, referring the the $50K HORSE event in particular. “I don’t think there’s any need for it” referring to the $40Holdem Event.
There are other changes being discussed for next years WSOP as well. For example, providing more $1000 buy in events (six more as per Palansky), as well as an earlier released schedule. Last year’s scheduled was made public in late January, put there is talk about making it available as early as the November 9 game in 2009.
The biggest change though, other than the loss of the $40K event, is the resolution to the issues concerning Day 1D of the Main Event this past summer, where it sold out quickly and had hundreds if not thousands of players fuming. The WSOP is again reconsidering pre assigning play days to players upon registration, a policy they abandoned awhile ago, but now in light of the last season’s debacle, may be returning again.
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