Blind Structure
Interestingly enough, the first issue brought up was the new blind structure for 2007.  In essence, the players argued that there was more play in the beginning but little or no play when it counted.  Effel was immediately responsive to the issues being raised, clearly stating that the intention was to make each event last approximately 24 hours.

Linda Johnson made a good point about the steepness of the structure’s increasing curve after a certain level, but Effel did not seem to think that the missing levels necessarily impacted play that much. He did say that that they have heard the complaint numerous times, and they are going to address it.  In 2008.

“These are changes that definitely need to be made, and will be made for 2008.  The structures will not be adjusted this year.  Players have seen the published structures and have had plenty of time to adjust their strategy,” Effel said. 

Poker Pavillion
There were a number of issues about the tent and Jeffrey Pollack immediately responded by stating, “On a scale of 1 to 10, our intentions with the tent were a 10.  Unfortunately, what has actually transpired has been a 1.”  Pollack showed a definite interest in making whatever changes they could, but said they were handcuffed by not having the ability to handle cash in the tent.  For this reason, neither the satellites nor cash games can be placed in the pavilion.

Space Issues
In reality, the underlying issue is not the tent, but the lack of interior space dedicated to the WSOP.  Pollack pointed out that the convention center rooms are used by other businesses for conferences/conventions throughout the series and poker operations are limited to the Amazon Room (and now the tent). 

Part of this problem also involves the spectators bothering players while they are playing in an event.  Bill Gazes pointed out that it’s kind of hard to focus when you have three people trying to look at your hole cards while offering commentary on how you play each street in a hand. 

Pollack said they are working on a long-term solution for the space issue, but nothing will be finished until 2009.  There will be at least one more year in the Amazon Room, with a setup similar to this year in 2008.

Sequestered Final Tables
Pollack’s first comment about the “sequestarium” was that it needs major fixing for the local audience.  He said that if the live webcast final tables do indeed return in 2008, they will be greatly improved.  They have made some very important adjustments by allowing at least a few family members/guests in the sequestered area.  If the webcasts return next year, he said that in all likelihood the players would still be sequestered, but a live audience would be allowed in some fashion (without any contact with the players).

Conclusion
Having an open forum in this manner was, according to Rafe Furst, “uncprecendented.”  It is refreshing to see how willing WSOP officials are to the many issues players have.  It is very difficult for them to make sweeping changes once the series begins, but they have made a number of “tweaks” along the way.  It is unfortunate that many of these issues will not be addressed until 2008, but at least they are listening and seem genuinely interested in making adjustments when possible. 

This year, Pollack is sporting a new look. Gone are the glasses and overly manicured coiffure. The beneficiary of contact lenses or, perhaps, Lasik surgery, he no longer sports spectacles that try to make a spectacle of themselves. His haircut is even more subdued. Sans gel, his hair just lays there, flat but comfortable in its own simplicity. No longer attempting to make any sort of statement has allowed it to voice the strongest declaration of all: I am perfectly content just as I am. The man’s new look has carried over to his demeanor. Whereas before he seemed a bit standoffish, he is now quite affable and relaxed. I would say he is finally feeling good about the state of the World Series after experiencing a rocky introduction last year.

Because I failed to convey my feelings to the man during the course of our (two-second-long) conservation, I will do so now: You’re doing a great job! At times I have been critical of various managerial snafus (the dealers as a collective entity are barely getting the job done and the sequestered tent idea seems like a mistake), but compared to the train wreck that occurred last year the 2007 World Series feels like a smooth plane ride. There are a ridiculous amount of events going on each day, and somehow all of them come off without a hitch. Harrah’s seems to have listened to all the ideas suggested by the players’ committee and incorporated the best of them. It’s this kind of give-and-take that’s going to ensure the tournament’s success for years to come. None of this praise has anything to do with the fact that Pollack personally saw to it that the media was feted with a sumptuous buffet on Tuesday evening. He didn’t buy my vote of confidence; he’s earned it.