The World Series of Poker announced today that it would end the “November Nine.” This was the practice of the final table of the $10,000 Main Event returning in November to complete the tournament. There were complaints from players about issues that included the ability for players to study up on opponents, as well as the loss of interest months after the World Series of Poker ends. This change eliminates that and brings the schedule back to the form that was used during the poker boom.
The new schedule for the $10,000 Main Event includes just a two-day break after the final table participants are determined. These off days will be July 18 and 19. The Main Event will pause on July 17 after all but nine players are eliminated. The three-day final table will run from July 20 to July 22.
ESPN and ESPN2 will air the final table on a 30-minute tape delay. This is required under Nevada Gaming Regulations.
Other Television Changes for 2017 World Series of Poker
The moving of the Main Event’s final table dates isn’t the only change this year. ESPN will air every day of the Main Event with a 30-minute delay. There will be a total of 40 hours of World Series of Poker Main Event coverage.
There will be another 130 hours of recorded programming of other World Series of Poker events. ESPN has first rights to air the content. Any World Series of Poker coverage not shown by ESPN will be streamed on Poker Central, an online poker channel. This model will continue into 2020.
“ESPN has been our home since 2002 and we’re delighted to extend the relationship into the next decade,” said Ty Stewart, executive director, WSOP. “Having every day live coverage of the WSOP Main Event is truly a huge commitment on behalf of ESPN and Poker Central and we look forward to delivering to our faithful audience wall-to-wall action from the outset for the very first time.”
Poker Central will air a number of live streams during the World Series of Poker. The schedule will be announced in about two weeks.