TV farce over the WSOP Final Table

The WSOP's plans for the NLH Main Event Final Table are almost mind-boggling. As recently confirmed by Harrah's Entertainment, it will take place on November 9th 2008, a whole 117 days after the last card prior to the final table has been dealt at the Rio.

The reason for this is a planned TV broadcast of the final table, which is now supposed to be aired 2 hours time-displaced. The WSOP Player Advisory Council (PAC) agreed with the plans, whose members include Daniel Negreanu and Jennifer Harman among others.

Thus the WSOP Main Event will start as planned on July 3rd, but it will only be played down to the final table. The finalists will return almost 16 weeks later, on November 9th, to whittle the field down to the last two opponents who will then engage the heads-up on November 10th.

As expected, the opinions of players and spectators are split. Daniel Negreanu for example believes that it is a good idea and especially advantageous for the amateurs, whereas Jamie Gold is concerned about the final losing its suspense.

If the concept will hold its ground at the end of the day will be seen 16 weeks after the WSOP, when the final takes place.