Making headlines in recent days is the announcement of the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Tournament of Champions, which will take on an all-star game format. Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment Vice President Ty Stewart sat down with Poker News Daily to discuss the new addition to the annual schedule.
Poker News Daily: Tell us about the need to reintroduce the Tournament of Champions? What impact will the event have on the Player’s Championship?
Ty Stewart: It’s totally different. The Player’s Championship is something that the players called for that is absolutely about being the best all-around player. The Tournament of Champions is about the fans. The fans wanted to see this and we wanted to give them control of the dial.
PND: Last year, the Champions Invitational took center stage at the WSOP. The 2010 Tournament of Champions marks the second gimmick tournament in back-to-back years. Is this the future of live poker events?
Ty Stewart: The Champions Invitational was only part of the celebration festivities. This is definitely something we envision being a long-term franchise. We had a strong instinct about the November Nine format and that it had the potential to elevate the game. We are just as passionate about this. This is the next big thing.
PND: Talk about the bracelet criteria for fan votes. What other criteria idea were tossed around?
Ty Stewart: Bracelet winners are our customers. It’s an important fraternity that the players have determined is important. We wanted to strengthen it. We have mixed criteria now. The fans are in control. We have the three former Tournament of Champions winners and we feel honored that they’ll play to put the brand on the map. We think it’s a nice combination. Every year, the historical Tournament of Champions winners will get in and the reigning champs will also be in.
PND: Talk about some of the safeguards in place to prevent against fraud and other voting issues?
Ty Stewart: It’s very important to us to have integrity and a level playing field. We think the industry is big and mainstream enough to overcome special interest groups. We have safeguards, just like others, to prevent against bots.
PND: Who do you expect to see in the top 20 when the voting concludes in June?
Ty Stewart: That’s what’s fun: Who is in and who is out. I think there will be some big surprises and familiar faces might not be in the field.
PND: What other developments for the WSOP are in store for 2010?
Ty Stewart: We have much bigger and more prominent food and social areas than we’ve ever had before. The Miranda Room will be a destination for relaxation, sports viewing, and the poker kitchen. We’re more than doubling the space for food and they’re going through the menus right now.
PND: Following the departure of Jeffrey Pollack, will there be a new WSOP Commissioner?
Ty Stewart: With the team that we have, we won’t have a commissioner.
