In this exclusive column, Joe Hachem explains why the new WSOP structure made his blood boil
When I first heard that the final table of the WSOP main event was going to be delayed by a few months I instantly had a sick feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t help feeling that this would have many detrimental effects on the game I love.
The next day those feelings started turning to anger, as I believed Harrah’s were just destroying the WSOP so they could fill their coffers even more.
I mean, think of the people who make the final table – when they come back three months later they will all be very different players. Instead of coming off ten days of intense, high-level poker, they will have had three months to rest and prepare, presumably including some well-paid coaching and tutelage.
Also let’s not rule out the chance of collusion. Three months is a long time and unfortunately whenever there is big money to be gained there are going to be people with some nasty ideas.
So by the third day I was just about totally enraged by this new concept and I stewed the thoughts and feelings for a few more days. However, by the end of that week my anger had subsided slightly and a wave of curiosity came over me.
What if this new concept is that significant milestone that all professions have at some point? What if this new concept brings our game to the masses like no other change before it? What if, as a result of this new concept, we have major league sponsors willing to support our game and hold tournaments and tours where the pros are invited and the amateurs get to qualify their way in?
What if this leads to an international ranking system of sorts? There were so many ‘what ifs’ running through my mind that my whole focus shifted from anger to cautious optimism.
ANGER MANAGEMENT
As a result I have decided to hold off on my vote at this stage and let time do the work for me. Sure, Harrah’s has a lot of work to do to make this a success (though they need to be applauded for trying) and we all have a lot of work to do to make sure that the integrity of the game stays intact as much as possible.
Ultimately, however, the decision has been made and now it’s up to all of us to make the most of it and make it successful. I’m sure if we collectively (players and casinos) keep in mind what is best for poker’s future we will get it right, eventually.
If I was an amateur player making my first big strike at tournament poker I would love the idea of being able to get three months off to recover and study all the hands on TV and get information on the other players.
I would definitely enlist the help of an accomplished pro who has the final-table experience and success needed to get me through and I would request that he be at the final table when I played.
As for me, if and when I make that final table I will have the same motto I’ve always had: ‘bring it on baby!’
Whatever happens and however it turns out, I’m confident the poker world will continue to mature and take steps to becoming an internationally accepted sport and profession.
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