2010 WSOP Schedule Critiqued by Bernard Lee

The 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) concluded with the completion of the second November Nine.  The crowning of Joe Cada as the 2009 WSOP Main Event champion culminated 57 bracelet events this year.

However, the 2010 WSOP is now on the minds of every poker player with the recent release of the new schedule.  Beginning May 28th, the poker universe will once again center on the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  To begin the next decade, the WSOP will have a 51-day schedule where players will compete for 57 WSOP bracelets.

As I looked over the schedule, I had the following comments, questions, and suggestions:

$1,000 events:  Last year during the opening weekend, Harrah’s held its first $1,000 buy-in No Limit event, nicknamed “The Stimulus Special.”  With 6,012 players participating, it was a rousing success.  With the state of the economy, Harrah’s promised more $1,000 buy-in events for 2010.  As seen in next summer’s schedule, Harrah’s definitely delivered with a $1,000 event every weekend and one right before the Main Event (six in total).  Players will each begin with triple the buy-in chips ($3,000) at level 25/25.  However, be forewarned!  The blinds increase quicker than you think and the eliminations are fast and furious once you get to the middle stages of the tournament.  Overall, these lower buy-in events will definitely increase the number of participants over the weekends, helping the Rio not only fill hotel rooms, but also improve their cash games.

Mid-level buy-in events ($2,000 to $5,000):  Although Harrah’s has catered to the casual player with numerous lower buy-in events such as the $1,000 and $1,500 versions, the reduction of the mid-level buy-in events hurts professional players like myself.  These events still have tremendous value (fewer players, but larger buy-ins), more starting chips (thus, more chance to play without a short stack) and fewer participants (thus, a better chance, albeit slight, to win).  Besides the $5,000 (June 8th) and $2,500 (July 2nd), all of the preliminary No Limit Hold’em events are $1,500 and under.  I understand that it is harder to get participants for the mid-level events; however, Harrah’s scheduled two $2,500 Six-Handed Hold’em events, a $2,500 Mixed event, and a $5,000 Six-Handed Hold’em event.  Instead of six $1,500 No Limit events, I believe they should have replaced a few of these with mid-level buy-in events, such as a $2,000, another $2,500, and a $3,000.

Players Championship:  This year, Harrah’s decided to replace the $50,000 HORSE event with this Eight-Game event.  The final table will be exclusively No Limit Hold’em, specifically so it can be television-friendly.  Although I do not agree that tournament officials should change the game just for the final table, at least one of the games played during the early levels will be No Limit Hold’em.  I always found it ridiculous that during the inaugural year in which Chip Reese won, the WSOP had the HORSE final table play only No Limit Hold’em when it was not even one of the five games (only Limit Hold’em is played in HORSE).  Nevertheless, with the return of this event to television, the Players Championship will most certainly have more players than last year’s disappointing 95 registrants.

$25,000 Six-Handed Event:  With the elimination of the $40,000 No Limit event and the moving of the Players Championship to the beginning of the series, the WSOP felt it needed another big event before the Main Event.  Thus, the $25,000 Six-Handed event was born.  Although this will attract some of the best players – live and online – I’m not sure why this is a $25,000 buy-in.  Why not make this event a $10,000 Championship event like the other ten $10,000 events?

No play on July 4th:  I believe that this was an excellent modification to the WSOP schedule.  Over the past couple of years, the day with the fewest number of participants was often July 4th.  This year, Harrah’s decided to begin the Main Event after the holiday so players can focus solely on it.

More room:  In 2010, Harrah’s will increase its capacity for each event, especially with the inclusion of the additional $1,000 events and to avoid the WSOP Main Event Day 1D debacle.  This year, almost all of the Rio convention rooms will be reserved for the WSOP.  You’ll need a map just to figure out where you are playing, especially during the first few days.  Therefore, if you are just coming in for a few events, make sure you know exactly where you are playing the night before so you aren’t wandering for the first 15 to 30 minutes of the event.

Avoid sell-outs:  Last year, the WSOP had a record 10.25 sellouts (the 0.25 is for Day 1D of the Main Event).  In an attempt to avoid sellouts, Harrah’s is increasing the space for additional tables.  However, there are ways to avoid being shut out, especially for the first $1,000 No Limit event being held on Saturday, May 29th.

1. Always register early.  Make sure you register not just hours, but days in advance, especially the low buy-in events.  Last year, the Stimulus Special sold out the night before, even though it had two starting days.

2. For events with higher buy-ins ($2,000 and greater), you often can wait until the morning it starts since they usually do not sell out.  However, my advice is to register the night before.  I usually go to the cage just before I go to bed and I have never waited more than a couple of minutes.  Additionally, I can sleep in or have a nice breakfast and not worry about having to get my seat.  I’m always amazed at the people waiting in the huge lines just before the event.

If you can’t arrive days early, make sure that you pre-register via WorldSeriesofPoker.com, which will ensure you a seat.  Unlike at some other tournaments across the country, you cannot have someone else register for you.

Well, after all this thinking about the biggest poker event of the year, I am already looking forward to the 2010 WSOP.  Good luck to everyone and I hope to see you there.