As Ty Stewart enters his 10th year as World Series of Poker executive director, he has decided it might be in his best interest to not make bold predictions. “As tough as it is, as much as it pains me,” Stewart said to media in a conference call, “I finally learned it’s much better to allow you all to make the predictions and editorialize the themes for the upcoming summer.”
The theme of transition seems as fitting as any. This year’s WSOP comes with smaller buy-ins, such as the $565 “Colossus” No-limit Hold ’em tournament, which was anticipated to draw in around 20,000 entrants. There will also be the $1,500 buy-in Millionaire Maker and $1,500 buy-in Monster Stack tournament which hope to attract several thousands of entrants after their recent success. A new $777 buy-in Lucky Sevens No-limit Hold ’em tournament will offer those with limited bankrolls an opportunity to participate in the series.
For years, top pros have fought to have more exclusivity in the events, as the current ones have become, as polarizing poker figure Phil Helmuth once said, “A minefield of amateurs.” While many agree with Phil, it appears the WSOP is doing what it can to help revamp interest in poker, which has declined steadily since 2007. WSOP tournament director Jack Effel said, “We have something for everyone. That’s it in a nutshell.”
For the first time ever, an online bracelet event will be offered. A $1,000 buy-in tournament will start July 2 on WSOP.com with the final six players fighting for the bracelet live at the Rio two days after. “The WSOP has always tried to reflect the ever-evolving face of poker, and adding an online element seems like a natural step in this evolution,” said Bill Rini, WSOP.com’s head of online poker.”
This year’s Min Event will also go through a few changes sure to leave people with opposing views. In 2014, 693 players finished in the money, but for this year, that number will increase to 1,000. In addition, the final table will last three days instead of two. Poker pro Daniel Negreanu is all for the change, and said, “I don’t think we lose a single player as a result. We’re going to have 1,000 people leave the main event a winner.”
Stewart said, “This event is primarily about exposing a game that we all love to a broader, mainstream audience.” He continued, “And while there are a bunch that have stayed with us till 4, 5, 6 o’clock in the morning, that’s obviously not ideal viewership time. So, by making it three days, we’re able to start in that prime-time window and have more of the coverage in a time that more viewers will tune in.”
