{"id":3899,"date":"2018-04-03T12:50:56","date_gmt":"2018-04-03T12:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=3899"},"modified":"2018-04-03T15:21:16","modified_gmt":"2018-04-03T15:21:16","slug":"10-wishlist-items-2018-world-series-poker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/10-wishlist-items-2018-world-series-poker\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Wishlist Items For The 2018 World Series of Poker"},"content":{"rendered":"

The World Series of Poker<\/strong><\/a> opens its doors in Las Vegas, Nevada<\/strong><\/a> in less than two months, and poker players from around the world will be welcomed to the biggest schedule of events in the history of the series.<\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t a more anticipated or exciting day for players and fans then the first day you walk into poker\u2019s proverbial summer camp. Even the most jaded poker professional can\u2019t help but get a little excited.<\/p>\n

Our WSOP wishlist<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even as the anticipation escalates as we get closer to opening day, there are always a few things on a player\u2019s wish list as they once again head to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino<\/strong> for the long summer grid.<\/p>\n

But we were also intrigued to hear some of the WSOP\u2019s wishlist items. So reached out to the WSOP to see if they would share.<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/b>Where do I start on changes we\u2019d like to see,\u201d pondered\u00a0Seth Palansky<\/strong>, Vice President, Corporate Communications for \u200eCaesars Interactive.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cUnfortunately, it isn\u2019t as simple as dreaming up what would be best and then implementing. A lot of processes are in place because of regulation and law. They often add steps\/friction that we wish wasn\u2019t there, but we must adhere to.\u201d<\/p>\n

That won\u2019t stop us from dreaming, though.<\/p>\n

Quality cards and working bathrooms<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some players will remember the 2017 WSOP<\/strong> for inadequate playing cards and the lack of working bathrooms.<\/p>\n

At the top of our list for 2018 are quality playing cards. Last year, the\u00a0One Drop High Roller<\/strong> was forced to halt play because of marked cards. Players took to social media to complain, and they challenged the WSOP to get new cards. The issue dominated our social media feeds for much of the tournament.<\/p>\n

Last year, 120,995\u00a0entries competed\u00a0in the WSOP over the 74 events offered. Only the very best playing cards can withstand that much play. The integrity of the game depends on it.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the first time the WSOP has weathered complaints about playing cards. But we\u2019re hopeful for positive change in 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe expect cards and bathrooms to be non-issues this year,\u201d Palansky told USPoker<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Speaking of bathrooms \u2026 A few more flushable toilets and little less smell wafting into the hallways is all we ask.<\/p>\n

Eliminate the hard stop<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ever since they implemented the hard stop, there is always a final table that is forced to come back the next day<\/strong> against the player\u2019s wishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have a hard stop at heads up,\u201d Palansky confirmed. \u201cWe have a rule that specifically addresses this and allows for play to continue when heads up. Ultimately, it is a tournament director decision, but we do consult with the players and consider their feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leaving it up to the tournament director provides a pretty big loophole. Our wish is that the option to continue play be given regardless of the number of players \u2013 as long as everyone agrees. Let the ultimate decision go to the players.<\/p>\n

More live streaming<\/span><\/h3>\n

When we\u2019re not playing poker during the summer in Vegas, we\u2019re watching poker. And we want to watch more poker.<\/p>\n

PokerGO<\/strong> did a great job providing a high-quality product during their first summer of live-streaming WSOP content. We just want more of it.<\/p>\n

In all fairness, the costs of broadcasting at that level is significant. But is it necessary?<\/p>\n

A solution might be to combine the full-production live streams with a simpler setup that includes few webcams on the final table. Flip the switch and let it run on Twitch.<\/p>\n

This might prevent the outrage expressed at the lack of a live stream for the final table of $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better<\/strong> because it wasn\u2019t scheduled. The final table included Daniel Negreanu<\/strong>, Mike Matusow<\/strong>, and John Monnette<\/strong>. In other words, ratings gold.<\/p>\n

Easy and quick registration and payouts<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you play at the Rio during the summer, chances are you waited in a line \u2014 or five. There is only so much space and so many employees, and it doesn\u2019t help that most players wait until the last minute to register. Here\u2019s a hint: registration lines are really short at 3 a.m.<\/p>\n

The WSOP is acutely aware that long lines may prevent players from playing and they are addressing the issue.<\/p>\n

Palansky reiterates that following proper procedures as dictated by the Nevada Gaming Control Board<\/strong> ties their hands. \u201cWe must see and verify the person registering the first time they come through,\u201d Palansky said. \u201cKnowing this, we have worked hard to come up with solutions for those that typically play in more than one event.\u201d<\/p>\n

The plan includes a digital wallet on the Bravo\u00a0Poker<\/strong>\u00a0registration platform. Players will be able to keep their funds in the wallet for the summer. Once the player verifies their identity, they can use the mobile app or kiosks throughout the Rio to register for any event and avoid the lines<\/p>\n

Making the money means waiting in more lines. When the WSOP began paying 15 percent of the field, the number of players making the money increased by 50 percent. This caused additional congestion.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are attacking our congestion issues on the payout side as well this year, with better ingress and egress plans, newly-designed workstations and issue-specific areas,\u201d Palansky shared. \u201cThis should (once everyone is used to it) get everyone in and out more quickly and make the whole operation more efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n

Decent food choices that don\u2019t drain the bankroll<\/span><\/h3>\n

Long days at the Rio often means settling for fast and overly-priced food choices.<\/p>\n

The Rio Convention Center has a finite amount of space. As tournaments get bigger and draw more players, the available space for things like food dwindles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve spent a lot of time on this as well,\u201d said Palanksy. \u201cWe expect a better and more diverse offering for players this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

WSOP Media Wishlist<\/span><\/h2>\n

A global media presence is on site every year covering the tournaments and presents its own sets of challenges.<\/p>\n

Great wifi<\/strong> is an obvious choice, but really what we want is to not freeze <\/strong>in the frigid convention rooms. A 24-hour Starbucks<\/strong> to stay caffeinated would also be nice. That\u2019s not so much to ask, right?<\/p>\n

Since this is a wish list, we\u2019re going to go all out and request player tracking devices<\/strong> and an app that tells us where a player is at any given moment.<\/p>\n

Before you say anything, the app benefits the players as much as the media.<\/p>\n