World Series Status Report: The Good and the Bad

Each year, the World Series makes a number of changes to improve the player experience. Here are my thoughts on what’s working and not working this year.

The Good

Structure: Three times the buy-in in chips is very good, and there is plenty of play in nearly all tournaments. However, the structure is almost too deep in the limit games, making the first level a waste of time. The only complaint I have is that in the mixed games, some antes were too high relative to the structure.

Dealers: Generally good. Many don’t have experience in high-low games, which is to be expected.

Floorpeople: I have not seen a bad, improper, or indecisive decision in the entire tournament.

Buy-in lines: Not bad, except right before a tournament.

Food: Fine; reasonably priced, and, generally, players can get through the line fast. The Rio should realize, though, that on tournament breaks, players rush to get food. It’s common on breaks to see huge lines and only a few cash registers open.

The Bad

Cash-out process: Too long and cumbersome. It seems that they fill in information manually that they already have from our player cards.

Sellouts: At least one tournament was sold out because they did not have enough tables allocated. Instead, in keeping with the WSOP attitude of taking players during the first two levels, alternates should have been allowed in as seats opened. The reason given for why this didn’t happen was that they didn’t know how many alternates would get in. That is silly.

5 p.m. tournament: This is my biggest issue, as this tournament needs an overhaul. For starters, it would be better to start it at 4 p.m. Also, a one-hour dinner break is provided at a poor time, and I think that a 30-minute extended break after level 4 would be much better. The worst deal of the entire Series is holding two seats in these events for latecomers, and not filling them with latecomers. This is terrible, as it makes the first two hours a shorthanded tournament. Then, they start new tables two players short.

Awards ceremony: The concept of the awards ceremony is great. However, the national anthem takes it too far and creates awkwardness. Tournaments are running during these ceremonies, and players don’t know whether to hold up, stand, or whatever.