Transcript from Thursday, January 18, 2007 chat with Jeffrey Pollack
January 18, 2007
Comment from Jeffrey Pollack: First, good morning everyone. I appreciate your taking the time to join this chat.
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Plano, TX: Is there any truth to the rumor that the WSOP has considered raising the entree fee into the main event from the $10K buy-in? Any chances that more tournaments or a "Super Main Event" may be added in the near future?
Jeffrey Pollack: To answer your question, the buy-in for the Main Event will remain at $10,000 this year. That said, there is a possibility it may go up in the future. This buy-in level has been the same since the tournament's inception 38 years ago -- so there may be room for an adjustment upwards at some point. We're not discussing it at this time and we are always taking a look at the poker marketplace and listening to the opinions of our customers.
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san francisco, ca: how do I go about turning pro? do I need to complete any paperwork or register with anyone?
Jeffrey Pollack: What makes the World Series of Poker so special is that anyone can enter and anyone can win (as long as you are over the age of 21, of course!). Turning "pro" simply means you've made a personal decision to dedicate your career to playing poker. There is no registration needed and it's a completely individual endeavor. But, have a lot of discipline, be prepared for the inevitable up's and down's, and study the game -- and it's best players -- very carefully. That said, like with any professional sport, the odds of success are very long and you need to have a realistic expectation level....It's a difficult way to make a living.
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Baltimore, Maryland: Last year, you added a $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event to the schedule? What's new for this year?
Jeffrey Pollack: In 2007 the World Series of Poker will offer 55 bracelet events -- an increase of nine from 2006. The new events include: a $2,500 HORSE event; a $5,000 HORSE event; $5,000 Mixed Hold 'Em events; and a $5,000 Heads-Up No Limit Hold'Em World Championship. There will also be a $1,000 SHOE event.
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hillsboro, oregon: what foods do you eat, or don't eat, that makes you tired or excited, duirng those long poker sessions? Thanks, Paulie
Jeffrey Pollack: As someone who is on the sidelines and behind-the-scenes at the World Series of Poker, I personally consume a lot of water and coffee during the tournament. The players, who really have to grind it out, drink just about everything you can imagine to keep themselves refreshed and going strong -- but, of course, water, coffee, energy drinks, and colas of all kind top their list. As for foods, energy bars are popular and we operate a full kitchen that's open whenever there is tournament play. This "poker kitchen" offers pizza, chicken sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, and just about anything else a player could want.
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Cincinnati, OH: Hi, Will the WSOP ever sponsor any online poker tournaments to find the best online poker champion?
Jeffrey Pollack: We don't have any plans to enter the online poker business at this point -- given the regulatory environment in which we operate.
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Hackettstown, NJ: Hi Jeffrey, What is your favorite and least favorite moment from WSOP? Have you ever participated in any WSOP event?
Jeffrey Pollack: My favorite moment from last year's WSOP is when Chip Reese won the $50,000 HORSE event. We had more than 140 of the world's best players compete in that event and the final table lasted through the night and into the early morning. Chip really proved that he is one of the best poker players ever and his family was with him when he won, so that made it very special. My other favorite moment is when Phil Helmuth won his 10th WSOP bracelet. He was like a kid in a candy store -- which, as you may know, is not always his mood! My least favorite moment? When we had some miscommunication with some of our dealers. We had a few who weren't very happy last year and that was very troublesome to me. Our pledge this year is to have the best dealers possible and to help them provide the best customer service they can.
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cincinnati, ohio: Do you see the number of entrys in the main event going up or down in 2007?
Jeffrey Pollack: Honestly, I don't know. And, I am the last one to predict turnout and attendance. Here's why: My background is with NASCAR and the NBA, and I learned that there are two absolute truths in professional sports entertainment: first, attendance will come and go, and, second, television ratings will come and go. There is a natural ebb and flow to all sports properties like the WSOP, the NBA, NASCAR, MLB, and the NHL. Every sport has it's moment...then the moment passes....and then it comes back again....This cycle repeats. The challenge is to keep your eye on the long-term view and build something that has lasting value for the players and the fans and the sponsors. That's what we're doing here at Harrah's. The WSOP has a 38-year tradition and we have another great 38-years ahead of us. That is an absolute truth that no other poker brand can lay claim to....
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Omaha, NE: The big tourney keeps getting larger and larger. Are the pros complaining about all the amatuers? Will the buy in get raised to try to limit the numbers. Or as long as the golden pot at the end is huge the pros are happy?
Jeffrey Pollack: See my earlier response about the buy-in, but to answer your question about the pros and the amateurs, it's been my experience that the vast majority of the pros LOVE the fact that they are playing in the WSOP with their fans and with new, up and coming players. Imagine being able to get on the court with LeBron James and playing against him (or with him) in a game that counts.... That's exactly what happens every day at the World Series of Poker and that's what makes it so special.
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atlanta, ga: I found the crowd reactions to the final tables being played to be somewhat muted compared with years past due to the cavernous ballroom at the RIO. Any chance you can build a Room specially for the final table to rev up the crowd reaction? It generates ton more excitement.
Jeffrey Pollack: Last year was my first WSOP, so I don't know what it was like before it went to the Rio. The point you raise, however, is a good one and something we are looking at. I think you'll see a much better fan experience this summer and at the final table.
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Tempe, AZ: What have been the effects to WSOP, WPT, etc. since online poker has been shut down in the US, especially since a lot of players in the tournaments got there by winning online tournaments? Will the US government ever relax the laws and allow online gambling again?
Jeffrey Pollack: We think Congress should conduct a thorough study of online poker to fully understand the issues and ramifications of existing and potential legislation.
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Atlanta, GA: Who is your favorite WSOP Main Event champion and why?
Jeffrey Pollack: That's like asking Gary Bettman who his favorite NHL player is...
I think each of the 30+ Main Event champions is special and, collectively, they represent all "walks" of poker life: professionals, amateurs, US and international born. The glaring omissions are that a woman has never won, nor has an African-American. I hope this changes in the very near future.
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Baltimore, MD: Jeff - My question is probably that of many young poker players, so can you please give an honest input. At what level of a poker player do you need to be at in order to quit everything and devote all your time to poker as a profession. By this I mean - the level of play/confidence, bankroll, and even maturity. Personally, I have about $150K saved (not all from poker!), I am fairly confident and mature (@25 I work for LM and pocess a BS and a MS in mechanical engineering). I usually play $5/$10 NL - do you think I am ready to let everything go and try to go profesional?
Jeffrey Pollack: Please see my earlier response to a similar question, but I would think twice about using your savings to pursue a career as a professional player. The odds are stacked against you...
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Henderson, NV: How do you get your hair to do that?
Jeffrey Pollack: Honestly, it kind of does that on it's own....
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New York, NY: Do you think the poker bubble has burst? And how long til we see mainstream corporate america embracing poker?
Jeffrey Pollack: Please refer to my earlier answer about the "ebb and flow" of sports properties. As to corporate America embracing poker, we're already there -- at least at the World Series of Poker. Miller Beer is our presenting sponsor; Corum is our official timepiece; ESPN is our broadcast partner; and, we're about to announce a very important promotional partnership in the next few days with a company that is the leader in its category in the United States. We're a game-changer for Madison Avenue and more and more companies are starting to recognize that.
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Comment from Jeffrey Pollack: Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to chat. The World Series of Poker appreciates your support and interest and I hope you come out for the tournament this summer. The action begins on June 1st at the Rio in Las Vegas!