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The final table for the 2008 WSOP no-limit Texas Holdem poker Main Event will take place on November 10, 2008.  The nine players for the final table will be determined and then there will be a 117 day break until the final table is televised live on ESPN.  This is the first year of this format.  Last year it was possible to see the event on pay-per-view but without seeing the 2 down cards – it was fairly lame that way.The long break will be quite different for the players.  First, any momentum you might have felt will be gone. There will be plenty of time to arrange and negotiate sponsors as opposed to the past where any sponsorship for the final table was a last minute decision. The time off will give players time to create alliances – this seems to be the biggest downside risk to the new format.  The biggest affect this change is likely to have is that it will provide almost 4 months to improve the players’ games.  A person could read books, practice and study their now known 8 opponents.  Particularly since they will have been paid the $1 million for making the final table they would now all be able to afford professional tutors.  It would even be possible that the tutors could make a percentage of any additional winnings.  Multiple players could be trained by the same tutors and form an official team – well, I hope not – poker doesn’t need to end up like boxing.
The clear advantage for ESPN is that it has nearly 4 months to build up the hype for the Super Bowl of Poker.  I hope this works out well.  NASCAR’s change to their new format was a risk and met with uncertainty but I think most agree it worked out.  Maybe there will need to be a few adjustments in future years but overall I like the new WSOP live final table idea – we will see how it turns out !!