[toc]With just two weeks left for the 2017 World Series of Poker, it’s the right time for the WSOP owner, Caesars Entertainment, to reveal the significant changes and fresh features for the world’s largest yearly poker event.
The elimination of the November Nine, a shift that is garnering national attention, is being replaced by a partnership between ESPN and poker content firm, Poker Central. These two entities will collaborate to offer same-day coverage of the entire Main Event, which has a buy-in of $10,000.
The change is indeed significant news. However, it is merely one of numerous improvements and modifications anticipated at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino this summer.
ESPN and Poker Central offering same-day Main Event broadcast
The concept of the November Nine was first introduced by the WSOP during the 2008 series. Before this, the Main Event would run its course and ESPN would broadcast an edited version of the entire event, inclusive of the final table. As the winner was already known to poker enthusiasts, the intrigue in watching the broadcast was solely to find out how the victory was achieved.
The November Nine sought to transform the final table into a live television event. However, with the progress of live streaming technology, it is beginning to appear somewhat old-fashioned.
ESPN, due to a new collaboration with Poker Central, will broadcast same-day coverage of the Main Event starting from Day 1A until a champion is crowned. Any additional or unaired footage will be distributed by Poker Central, while the coverage will be aired on ESPN.
The recent amendments to the rules regarding calling the clock will hopefully make the live coverage more enjoyable and entertaining, instead of being packed with tanking.
The players at the final table will receive a small amount of downtime. They will have a two-day break before the final table comes to life from July 20th to 22nd.
Ty Stewart, the Executive Director of WSOP, discussed the significant broadcasting shift.
Since 2002, ESPN has been our home, and we are thrilled to continue our relationship into the next decade. ESPN and Poker Central’s commitment to provide daily live coverage of the WSOP Main Event is remarkable. For the first time, we are excited to deliver continuous action from the beginning to our dedicated viewers.
Poker Central will run live streaming
After managing the live streaming with commentary in-house for five years, WSOP is handing over the reins to Poker Central.
Beyond that announcement, not many details are available. Currently, there is no schedule for streaming. Fans should anticipate a platform shift from the WSOP website to a channel branded by Poker Central.
An outside sponsor managing streams could definitely introduce other changes, like incorporating additional ads into the broadcast or monetizing the stream through subscription fees.
David Tuchman, the resident commentator for WSOP, excitedly tweeted the press release. However, he didn’t respond to any questions about his potential return to the commentator booth for the action on May 31.
ESPN stage moving, Poker Kitchen downsizing
ESPN’s other news involves a location change within the WSOP footprint. The Main Stage, which resided in the Amazon Room for several years, will move to the Brasilia Room this year.
Final table players will benefit as all Day 3 restarts will be held in this room, with little else to distract them. This allows them to concentrate on their ultimate goal – winning a WSOP bracelet, with minimal interruptions from opening-day events. The only exceptions to hosting final table events in Brasilia will be the three online poker bracelet events on WSOP.com.
The reorganization impacts a few other parts of the WSOP’s presence at Rio. The Poker Kitchen, which was previously located in the Miranda Room, is now gone. In its place, there will be grab and go dining options available at various Poker Kitchenettes spread out across the convention area. For those who prefer to sit and dine, they can do so on the stage of the Pavilion Room.
Private high stakes cash game area
The Pavilion Room is the hub for all cash game activities, but this year might be a letdown for rail birds. In contrast to previous years, where stanchions were the only barrier between fans and the highest stakes action, this year the high stakes section will be segregated into its own room inside the Pavilion Room.
This summer, King’s Casino Rozvadov is supporting a 15-table high stakes area. The Czech casino will also be the venue for this year’s WSOP Europe (WSOPE) event. The intention is that this will provide an opportunity for the staff of Kings Casino to begin recruiting for the WSOPE, set to take place in October.
Player of the Year no longer powered by GPI
King’s Casino is taking over the title sponsorship of the Player of the Year race from the Global Poker Index (GPI), which has run it for two years and will not be participating in 2017. As GPI owns the formula for the contest, a new system for calculating points will be implemented this year.
Jason Mercier dominated the competition last year following a remarkable summer where he earned two bracelets and came in second place.
Photo courtesy of WSOP
