WSOP Final Table FAQ v 1.05
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Countdown to final table on ESPN
As many have found out, Harrah's has decided that the $10,000 Main Event will stop when it gets down the final 9 players to be finished in November. There's already been a lot of discussion about this with many questions asked about how this will take place. This FAQ is an attempt to answer these questions.
1. Why is this being done?
According to WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack:
Quote:
“Our intent is to provide an even bigger stage for our players,” said Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the World Series of Poker. “Now fans and viewers will ask ‘who will win’ our coveted championship bracelet instead of ‘who won.’ The excitement and interest surrounding our final nine players will be unprecedented.”
More information can be found in the press release here.
2. Besides Harrah's Entertainment, who else was brought into the process of this change in the final table policy?
Entities included:
The Nevada Gaming Commission
The WSOP Players Advisory Commitee, which consists of the following people:
WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack
Harrah's executives: Howard Greenbaum Ty Stewart, Gary Thompson, Bruce Benson, Joseph Scibetta, and Jack Effel (WSOP Tournament Director).
Player representatives: Howard Lederer, Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer Harman, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon, TJ Cloutier, Cyndy Violette, Robert Williamson III, Mickey Appleman, Wendeen Eolis, Barry Greenstein, Chris Ferguson, Bob and Maureen Feduniak, Marissa Chien, Tom Schneider, and Steve Zolotow.
Other PAC members include: WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla
Regarding television and production: Matt Maranz (WSOP Executive Producer), David Swartz (441 Productions Coordinator), and Jamie Horowitz (ESPN Senior Producer).
3. When will the final table be held?
The final table will start on Nov. 9 and played down to the final 2. On November 10th "late in the evening" the headsup match will be completed and a champion will be awarded the bracelet.
4. When will the final table be televised?
The broadcast is scheduled to be aired on ESPN Nov. 11 from 9-11pm ET. A final table preview show will air on Nov. 4 at 10pm ET that will detail what the participants have done (if anything) to prepare for the final table.
5. Will there be a Pay Per View broadcast of the final table?
No. However, there will be live hand for hand coverage available through anyone who has a credential (ie. Pokernews/Bluff, Card Player, etc)
6. What happens to the prize money that is left to be awarded?
Each of the final table participants will receive 9th place money on July 14. The remaining prize pool will be put into an interest bearing account, which will be added to the players' prize pool.
7. Will there be any additional benefits given to the players?
Harrah's will provide complimentary airfare and accommodations for two to each final table participant. The delay in the final table will also give the final 9 time to obtain coaching, sponsorship, and other opportunities to enhance their chances.
8. How does ESPN plan to help promote the final table participants?
During the conference call on 5/1, it was mentioned that ESPN.com would be spending time with the final 9, including exclusive content of the final 9 (for those that wish to participate), documenting their journey to the final table. The conference call also encouraged other media outlets to spend time with the participants as well
8. What happens if a player is not able to return to the final table?
Any players not able to return to the final table will be blinded and anted off.
9. What prevents someone from attempting to affect the results of the final table (collusion, chip dumping, etc)
The World Series of Poker is announcing a new "Code of Conduct" next week (week of 5/4) that will attempt to strongly discourage such inappropriate conduct during this or any other tournament.
10. Will the final table be sequestered at the Rio?
No, the public is invited and encouraged to attend the final table.
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Countdown to final table on ESPN
As many have found out, Harrah's has decided that the $10,000 Main Event will stop when it gets down the final 9 players to be finished in November. There's already been a lot of discussion about this with many questions asked about how this will take place. This FAQ is an attempt to answer these questions.
1. Why is this being done?
According to WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack:
Quote:
“Our intent is to provide an even bigger stage for our players,” said Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the World Series of Poker. “Now fans and viewers will ask ‘who will win’ our coveted championship bracelet instead of ‘who won.’ The excitement and interest surrounding our final nine players will be unprecedented.”
More information can be found in the press release here.
2. Besides Harrah's Entertainment, who else was brought into the process of this change in the final table policy?
Entities included:
The Nevada Gaming Commission
The WSOP Players Advisory Commitee, which consists of the following people:
WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack
Harrah's executives: Howard Greenbaum Ty Stewart, Gary Thompson, Bruce Benson, Joseph Scibetta, and Jack Effel (WSOP Tournament Director).
Player representatives: Howard Lederer, Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer Harman, Annie Duke, Phil Gordon, TJ Cloutier, Cyndy Violette, Robert Williamson III, Mickey Appleman, Wendeen Eolis, Barry Greenstein, Chris Ferguson, Bob and Maureen Feduniak, Marissa Chien, Tom Schneider, and Steve Zolotow.
Other PAC members include: WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla
Regarding television and production: Matt Maranz (WSOP Executive Producer), David Swartz (441 Productions Coordinator), and Jamie Horowitz (ESPN Senior Producer).
3. When will the final table be held?
The final table will start on Nov. 9 and played down to the final 2. On November 10th "late in the evening" the headsup match will be completed and a champion will be awarded the bracelet.
4. When will the final table be televised?
The broadcast is scheduled to be aired on ESPN Nov. 11 from 9-11pm ET. A final table preview show will air on Nov. 4 at 10pm ET that will detail what the participants have done (if anything) to prepare for the final table.
5. Will there be a Pay Per View broadcast of the final table?
No. However, there will be live hand for hand coverage available through anyone who has a credential (ie. Pokernews/Bluff, Card Player, etc)
6. What happens to the prize money that is left to be awarded?
Each of the final table participants will receive 9th place money on July 14. The remaining prize pool will be put into an interest bearing account, which will be added to the players' prize pool.
7. Will there be any additional benefits given to the players?
Harrah's will provide complimentary airfare and accommodations for two to each final table participant. The delay in the final table will also give the final 9 time to obtain coaching, sponsorship, and other opportunities to enhance their chances.
8. How does ESPN plan to help promote the final table participants?
During the conference call on 5/1, it was mentioned that ESPN.com would be spending time with the final 9, including exclusive content of the final 9 (for those that wish to participate), documenting their journey to the final table. The conference call also encouraged other media outlets to spend time with the participants as well
8. What happens if a player is not able to return to the final table?
Any players not able to return to the final table will be blinded and anted off.
9. What prevents someone from attempting to affect the results of the final table (collusion, chip dumping, etc)
The World Series of Poker is announcing a new "Code of Conduct" next week (week of 5/4) that will attempt to strongly discourage such inappropriate conduct during this or any other tournament.
10. Will the final table be sequestered at the Rio?
No, the public is invited and encouraged to attend the final table.
