Why the WSOP Final Table PLAY Delay is BAD!!!
I know the story about the 2008 WSOP Final Table Delay broke over a week ago, but to be honest I had no idea what it was actually about. I kept hearing people talking about how they were delaying the final table and automatically assumed they were talking about delaying the airing of the final table… so what I thought, there usually is a delay between the time of the actual final table and the airing of it anyway, so I didn’t think this was anything big…. until today.
I was looking for some poker news today and found some links to the USA Today coverage of the final table delay, so I decided to take a closer look. Apparently, for those who are as oblivious as I am, ESPN wants to delay the actual PLAY of the final table 3 months! This is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. I can understand the point of view that the WSOP want to make it a big media spectacle and get people talking, but couldn’t they do that in say 2-3 weeks and not 3 months? So much can change in 3 months and it completely changes the game. Here are some of the reasons why I think this is a BAD move….
Reads/Tells – During play much of a players’ time at the table is looking for reads and tells on his opponents. Over a 3 month period, this player could discover these reads/tells and use them against his opponents.
Steroids – Oh wait, this is poker… I guess this wouldn’t apply.
Skill/Coaching – 3 months will allow players a ton of time to improve their game. This is NOT fair. Players should be playing at the final table with the same skill they used to get there.
Hitmen – After all, there is A LOT of money on the line. We live in scary times where you can have people taken out for 5 figures. All I gotta say is just hope you don’t get some shady people at that final table!
I agree that it will create a more interesting poker game, and possibly do some good to raise awareness for the game, but I just don’t think it really will be the same poker game that we have become accustomed to. Could you imagine if they started doing this at the Olympics!
