WSOP to Draw Out Final Table Event

May 2 - A change in the format of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main table event has been applauded by some and opposed by others.

While previous years saw the WSOP final table being played out among the tournament's finalists in July, with a taped and edited version being broadcast later in November, this year the event's organizers have decided to extend the buzz by holding the final table in November, 2008.

After consulting with the WSOP Player Advisory Council - a 15 member board - the organizers reached the conclusion that excitement could reach fever pitch if the results of the one of the world's leading poker tournaments were drawn out 100 days after the bulk of the competition took place.

In addition, the main table event would be able to be broadcast by ESPN within a couple of hours after the finals of the competition in an edited format - making it an almost-live broadcast.

The new format now determines that the finals will begin on November 9th, with the champion figures decided in the early hours of November 11th and the ESPN broadcast set for 9pm that evening.

WSOP Commissioner, Jeffrey Pollack said: "This is no different from the final chapter of American Idol or the Apprentice. It's about building interest and excitement for the final chapter of this story.

Daniel Negreanu, a member of the Player Advisory Council agrees. "It's going to create way more buzz... It's going to be more like a live event," he said.

Not everyone agrees with the change in format, however. Industry personality and WSOP champion, Doyle Brunson said: "Frankly I don't like it. I guess it will create a lot of hype.... it seems a little overkill or something to me."