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The WSOP – A Big, Long Poker Tournament
During the opening days of the 2005 WSOP, there was only one topic of discussion: the incredible scale the event had achieved. The tournament room in the Rio hotel was massive and the crowd was not to be believed. The pros, the media, the amateur players – everyone was awed by the sheer size of it all.
This year, the same room is dedicated to poker and the crowds are just as large. But those who had been through the 2005 WSOP knew what to expect. This time around, the veterans of 2005 didn’t bother to comment on the masses moving through the corridors or the immense size of the field for the first No-Limit Hold ‘em event.
When Harrah’s took over the WSOP prior to the 2005 event, they not only changed the venue, moving the tournaments from their traditional home at Binion’s Horseshoe to the Rio, they also added a number of events. This made sense, as the huge pool of new players was sure to populate the added tournaments.
This made the WSOP a very long collection of poker tournaments. Those who wished to stay from the beginning of the festivities till the end of the Main Event end would have to devote a full six weeks to tournament poker.
Most who stayed here for the entirety of the 2005 WSOP left exhausted. Professional player Kristy Gazes, who failed to cash in any 2005 event, commented that the 2005 WSOP was draining in more ways than one. “It took its toll,” said Rafe Furst. Perry Friedman noted that in 2005 he took a lot of time off and dedicated a full four days to rest after finishing third in a No-Limit event.
This year many of the pros talk about the importance of pacing oneself. Aaron Bartley plans to play 10 to 15 events depending on how he feels. Gazes has picked 18 tournaments and will spend less time playing in cash games between tournaments. Friedman plans to play around half the events. “The Series is so long this year and there are so many no-limit events, I don’t feel the need to play them all,” Friedman said.
Furst noted that managing exhaustion could be an important strategic element. Those who play too many events may find themselves playing inferior poker as they lose their edge and their drive.
Changes Around the Rio
Most felt that Harrah’s did an admirable job in 2005, but staging an event of this size inevitably presents complications. While the tournaments went pretty smoothly, resources for players at the Rio were lacking. The food available near the tournament room was horribly overpriced and awful. (At one point I bit into a burger that was completely raw.) Bathroom lines were endless. During breaks, the hallways filled with thick clouds of smoke as nicotine addicts lit up en masse. In 2006, these problems have been addressed.
Richard Brody commented on the improvements. “I like the way the Rio has addressed a lot of the problems from last year. No smoking in the hallways, more restrooms, staggered breaks, better food. I’m impressed with Harrah’s attention to detail.”
Brody mentioned the one aspect he hopes changes this year. “My main issue [with the 2005 WSOP] was that my payout was zero.”
While there’s little Harrah’s can do about Brody’s results, it’s nice to see that environment has improved for the players.
