2009 World Series of Poker Schedule

Posted by AlCantHang | Filed under Bloggers on the Rail

Last week poker players were given their usual late holiday present as Harrah’s released the schedule for the 2009 World Series of Poker. There are many changes from last year’s list of events and a little something for players at every level. Reactions are mixed around the blogging world as they start to look over the events and decide whether things are better or worse.

The one big note is that they will once again play the final table in November 2009 after several months delay. Opinions vary across the board on whether this is good, bad, or ugly for poker.

Here are some of the bigger difference then we’ll delve into what the bloggers are saying.

- There are 57 bracelet events in 2009, including 10 “World Championship” $10,000 buyin tournaments. This is up from 55 braclets in 2008 and 8 “World Championship” events.

- To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the World Series of Poker, they are kicking off the beginning of the series with a $40,000 buyin NLHE in Event #2.

- An oddly phrased $1,000 “stimulus” tournament where they are expecting 5,000 players over the 4 day event.

- Elimination of all rebuy tournaments in 2009. There is much speculation about why there will be no rebuy events.

- Event #52 is a new format called a Triple Chance NLHE tournament. From I’ve been able to determine it will be similiar to a one rebuy/addon event without pulling money from your bankroll. Each player will have a starting stack and two more to use when they see fit. Immediately at the start, when they bust, or at the break. All a bit fuzzy in my opinion but we’ll see how it goes.

- Three 2-7 draw tournaments, including the World Championship 2-7 Draw Lowball (No Limit), three “mix” game tournaments and plenty of non-NLHE chances for a bracelet.

Blogger reaction after the jump as well as the complete schedule.

“Fifty-seven bracelets is way too friggin’ many. (Go ahead and add five or so more for the WSOPE later in the year, too, if you wanna.) I’m a poker fan and so don’t mind the overload, but I recognize and appreciate the whole “value-of-a-bracelet-has-been-watered-down” gripe. Hell, as recently as five years ago there were only 33 bracelet events. And five years before that? Sixteen.”

- Short-stacked Shamus

Shamus always has a good take on the situation. He has a rundown of the changes including his unmoving belief that the “November Nine” concept is not in the best interest of poker. You should have him bookmarked.

“So what we’re seeing here is that the people in charge at the World Series of Poker have made the deliberate decision this year to create a “second class” of WSOP tournament. Previously, every tournament in the Series was more or less worth the same in terms of prestige or whatever you want to call it.”

- Hoyazo

Hoy has uber-post with the schedule and his opinion on everything from the smaller buyin events to the “World Championship” tournaments. He’s never one to hold his tongue.

“I’ll be making my Seniors Only debut on June 22, so steer clear of me that day. I’m apt to be cranky.”

- Michael Craig

I’m sure Michael will have something further to say as we get closer to the WSoP, but until then he let us all in on the fact the he now qualifies for the Senior Event. If he could sneak in the Ladies Event with a dress and get a job at the Rio he would be eligible for all 57 bracelets.

“But now the schedule is out and it’s time to roll up a stake for Vegas. So ask your boss (wife/employer) for permission to play before you book your summer vacation and to fly out to Sin City and attempt to fulfill a poker dream… to be an unknown and come out of nowhere to win a million dollars and a WSOP bracelet while slugging it out knee deep in donkey guts against Scandi’s with perfectly messy hair.”

- Dr. Pauly, ruler of all bloggerdome

My first blogger source for information during the series. The unsanitized, grubby, rough edge of the poker universe. No holds barred and much more interesting than the high-gloss mainstream media reports.

For the full list of changes between the 2008 and 2009 World Series of Poker, DanM at Pokerati has a handy table with everything listed out.

You can click through for the entire 2009 World Series of Poker schedule.

Next up will be looking for Full Tilt to begin spreading the Bracelet Race tournaments and satellite your way into the big games with a chance for money and a bracelet.

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