WSOP Main event change?

So I've been listening to one of my favorite poker podcast shows recently, (Pokerroad Radio with Joe Sebok, Gavin Smith and Ali Nejad) and they were talking about how Harrahs wanted to stop the main event tourney at the final table and take a 3 month break then continue it.

The reason they want to do this is so they can play the main event on tv without people already knowing who won it. And then air the final table when everyones already seen the tourney all the way up to where they stopped it.

There are so many ups n downs to this though. The rather not so good players that have made the final table will be hiring other pros to teach them and make them better. This isn't fair for the good players already at the table. It'll also ruin the momentum going into the final table for players being chip leaders.

These 9 guys would get very popular though, possibly show up on talk shows and so on.

Personally I don't like this idea. Sure, I can see the marketing point of view for this, but from a players point of view, I wouldn't like this at all.

This isn't a for sure thing, but there's a possibility it might happen.

What do you guys think about this ?

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hmmm...a 3 month break before the biggest final table of my life..eh.

I wouldnt mind. Although I wouldnt be to hot on it. You would be very tired mentally and physically by the time you reach the final table. A break could be good so that you play your best game when the final table begins. Although...the idea sounds kinda wierd to me. It would be like changing the McDonalds Logo. Dont really like the idea of changing the format of the main event.

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G.T.S

Not that I would ever be on a FT at the ME but if I were, I wouldnt want a 3 month break, what if I were on a rush of the most incrediably luck ever and then I had to take a 3 month break. No thanks. I say play it out as normal.

It will be interesting to see if this change happens. I booked and paid for my plane/hotel reservations for the ME Final Table.

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CalifNaughti - PokerStars

This sounds to me like what is best for TV with total disregard for what is best for the players, so thumbs down from me.

If they want to show it live, show it live.

I think the world will survive if ESPN skips the 87 broadcasts of sportscenter for one day to show the main event, or put it on PPV if you rather. But showing it live is a completely separate issue from waiting 3 months.

Now of course the argument then is about the rest of the events, but it's the same logic. If they really wanted to they could be doing live or same day broadcasts of poker, they have done it for NASCAR and other sports for years

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I think they could find a compromise such as, filming the last 2 or 3 tables live and then film the final table live a week later. I think something like that would keep everyone happy.

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I'm not against it or not strongly for it. On one hand it would be good for poker with all the hype that would be built up around it and as GTS said a break after a grueling week would be a welcome. As for the lucky rush for certain players, how about the break for the unlucky rush players. Plane fares, hotel rooms being paid for again is fine with me, your at least going to get a million dollars just by being at the final table. It might not be as bad as it sounds...how do you feel after playing a grueling full day of poker on line...would you not prefer to take a break for a little while before playing the biggest game of your life!...you would have time to prepare for the Big Show so you can play your "A" game as the final table should be played!

You would be able to watch videos on your opponents and get advise which is great just as all professional sport teams do...it would be a whole new dimension to the game! Some would party out...the smart would prepare!

It would be great. In sports the championship is always played a few weeks after they qualified for the final. The final table will be hyped getting many more viewers. Having them appear on talkshows viewers will get a favorite player who they will root for. All the players will be very famous which they can exploit. They can sign big contracts making them instant multi millionairs. From the last few years I know only 1 or 2 names, maybe 3. Waiting a few months these players names will be remembered for a long time. Let the bad players take lessons from the pro's. We will get to see more poker. This idea should at least be tried once to see how it goes.

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That's Poker

I could see taking a couple days or even a week long break before the final table. Three months is way to long.