WSOP Final Table 117 day delay
The 2008 WSOP Main Events starts on July 3rd, and will run until July 14th, at which point just 9 players will remain. These will be known as “The Novemeber Nine”
These 9 players will all be paid the 9th place money in July.
Then there will be a 117 day delay(!), and the final table will be played on 9th November
The big gap might seem crazy to some, but it is all about TV ratings, and building the hype/interest. The November Nine are expected to become minor celebrities in the 4 month gap, and every spectator will probably have someone they are clearly cheering for even if no household-name pros are amongst the nine.
Here is the plan for November:
Nov 4th = ESPN shows a one hour final table preview show
Nov 9th = Final Table is played (9 down to 2)
Nov 10th = Final table heads-up
Nov 11th = ESPN broadcasts the final table (9:00 pm ET)
On the positive side, it means when ESPN shows it’s WSOP coverage (July 22nd to Oct 28th), when it gets round to the final table, it will almost be like watching it live, making it much more exciting.
On the negative, are such problems as deaths, incarceration, no-shows, tutoring etc. All of which are possibles with such a gap.
Personally, whilst it obviously takes away a little charm and neatness away from the previous format, it isnt exactly the end of the world, and I’m sure the poker world will adjust, and making the final table (The November Nine) could easily in itself become the stuff of legend, rather than the lion’s share of the glory going to just the bracelet winner.