An Open Letter to the Commissioner

Dear Commissioner Pollack:



Congratulations to you on a very successful World Series of Poker. I was extremely happy with some of the changes you made with this year's event.



First, it was a great relief, no pun intended, that you made so many restrooms available. There were no more mad rushes by the players; the breaks were so much more orderly and organized than last year.



Second, allowing the players to use their food vouchers whenever they chose was great. Last year, we could not use the vouchers until the main event started, except for the buffet. The truth of the matter is that many of the players didn't want to spend the time or money on the buffet, so the vouchers were almost meaningless.



Moreover, the tent that was located just outside the tournament area was not only convenient, but had good food, as well.



Another great addition to the tournament was the hospitality rooms, where the Internet poker sites had refreshments and goodies such as hats and shirts with their particular logos on them. Most of the players were more interested in the coffee and danish than the giveaways, but as a marketing tool, it came off great to the players and the many tourists and poker fans who gave it a look-see.



Overall, I was happy with the tournament; however, if I may, I would like to address a few areas where I think things could improve. During the tournament, I heard a rumor several times that next year, the World Series of Poker would be held in May and June. Please, Mr. Commissioner, do it.



It would be such a relief if you moved the tournament to May and June. I know how busy you must have been during the tournament, so you may not have had much chance to leave the Rio and go outside. It was very hot in Las Vegas during the Series. The only benefit I derived from the intense heat was that my leftover pizza from Mama Luigi's was still warm and quite delicious the day after I accidentally left it in my car overnight.



Another suggestion is that I think the Series and every other tournament that has it should change the F-bomb rule. The problem is that it has outlived its usefulness. When the rule first was initiated, it was to punish players for verbal abuse, usually directed toward the dealers. Almost immediately, all of the perpetual offenders stopped their abusive, vulgar tirades. What we were left with was a situation in which 90 percent of the offenders had a slip of the tongue that was directed at no one in particular or sometimes at themselves, and yet they still received a penalty. In addition, it was not effectively policed; some dealers let it slide while others didn't, and almost all of the other players at the table let it slide, leaving only a few players offended enough to remind the dealer that an infraction had occurred. Perhaps the F-bomb rule could be instituted in a manner such as this: If someone detonates the F-bomb, he gets a warning, something like, "You really shouldn't use that word, sir." If the guilty party says it again, he is given his second and final warning, for example, "Do not use that word again, sir, or we will have to take drastic measures." If any women players are present at the table, the guilty party must apologize to them. Now, if the offender slips a third time, you would be left with no choice but to employ the drastic measures – asking the women to leave, and of course doing the right thing by refunding their buy-ins.



OK, OK, the part about the women is a joke, so please don't send me any letters. In fact, ladies, let me smooth things over a bit by suggesting to the commissioner that I think it's about time for the Hall of Fame to induct a woman. Names that come to mind are Barbara Enright and Marsha Waggoner. Many younger women are on their way to being considered, but as impressive as some of them have been, this is a case in which age matters.



Finally, on a little lighter note, could you please give Nolan Dalla a raise? Nolan is a good friend of mine and does a great job; he literally works his tail off. Plus, he always takes me to at least one expensive dinner while the Series is going on. I won't feel quite as guilty next year if I know I had a part in getting Nolan a raise.



For what it's worth …



Vince Burgio maintains a website, http://www.pokervince.com/, and is the author of his new autobiography titled Pizza, Pasta and Poker.