WSOP removes $10mln gauaranteed for the winner, will pay out 1,000 players instead

World Series of Poker released a teaser for 2015 tournament schedule a little less then month ago, and after a ton of critics and constructive discussion from players regarding their $10,000,000 guaranteed for Main Event winner policy, WSOP decided to make some changes. Instead of cutting the prizes from players and putting one big reward on for the top finisher, there will be way more players that finish in cash.

The prize of $10mln for the winner was introduced first time last year (as a celebration of 10 years at the Rio Casino), but this yearthe $10,000,000 guarantee for the first place winner has been officially removed.
However, there was still need for a decent marketing slogan, so now the game has changed to "1000 players will be paid", if at least 5000 people register.

With top 1000 players in the money, last years Main Event would see only $8mln first prize instead of $10mln, but more then 300 extra players would walk out with cash in their pockets. That's an massive increase of almost 50%.

“The dream of life-changing money is core to the DNA of the WSOP Main Event and we also want to make it easier to experience playing in poker’s Big Show,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “Our players understand numbers, and 2015 now presents the best odds ever to leave the Main Event a winner.”

What do you think about those changes?

TY stewart

should be good for the game and offer more incentive for hobbyists i think. there is the allure of a nice 10 million payday, but 8 million is a ton of money still and the extra payouts are likely to encourage repeat participation for a lot of guys who arent living, breathing, playing poker 24 hours a day or for a living.

It is also good for a lot of the grinders because it is easier to make the money now

but its bad for whoever wins first place

good

I'm kind of torn. One side of me is like "get rid of this gimmicky shit, and just run a tournament". Other part of me realizes this probably appeals to amateurs a ton and probably reduces variance.

I believe this is bad for tourneys pros, don't quote me on it thou

On January 28 2015 21:34 JonnyCosMo wrote: I believe this is bad for tourneys pros, don't quote me on it thou

I heard Cosmo thinks this is bad for tourney pros.

not bad for pros if it brings more fish

that said the more top heavy a tourney is the more value is there for the best

Its bad for tournament pros because the pay increments are going to be smaller so it will be more difficult for professional to pressure scared money...

On January 29 2015 02:40 casinocasino wrote: Its bad for tournament pros because the pay increments are going to be smaller so it will be more difficult for professional to pressure scared money...

ehh partially i guess. the most obvious answer is that tourney pros get fucked when they finally bink a tourney like this and get like 1/3rd of what it would have been before this change

I thought it says 8 million?

Def think this is good