I was wondering if you had any comment regarding this years World Series on how much the blinds, antes and levels were altered for this year, and how much input (if any) did you have in this?

For instance, in this years Main event, the chips jump up to 20k to start. As far as levels go, they will start at $50-$100 and will change every 2 hours. Last year the levels were the same length but the blinds started at $25-$50.

But also, this year there won't be a $150-$300 level or a $250-$500 level. Instead the blinds will jump from $100-$200 to $200-$400, and run for FOUR hours, with a $50 ante being added for the last 2 of those 4 hours.

THEN...at the beginning of the 2nd day, the blinds will be $500-$1000 with a $100 ante (as opposed to last year when they were $250-$500 with a $50 ante).

There is also some levels cut at the very highest levels of the M. E. (level 27 and 41).


Also, regarding the 50K H O R S E event...

Start with 100K in chips and the structure will be much more aggressive.

For instance in the first one (Hold 'Em) the blinds are 300-600 and the limits will be 600-1200. Last year it started with 100-200 blinds and 200-400 limits.

In Razz , stud, stud 8, the blinds will be 200 each and the completions will be 800 (compared to last year, 100 for the ante and bring ins and 300 to complete).


Do you think these are good changes and how do you think it will affect your play or the play in general?

Thanks Man. (Go hit some balls dude, the weather is SICK!)


And best of luck in the WPT.

I actually addressed this in one of my recent blogs. I think changing the starting chip amount is completely meaningless. As for us having input on the structure, Howard Lederer and Jack Eiffel spent lots of time on it.

Yeah, I do vaguely remember you addressing this issue, guess I should have researched it a bit before I posted.

What got me thinking about it again was that I was playing a live session today in Phoenix and picked up a Card Player magazine (David Singer on the cover) and it went mentioned the changes once again. Couldn't remember if you were happy about the changes or not...seem to remember that you thought it was ridiculous to do such a thing or something along those lines.

Anyway, thanks for the reply. GL tomorrow!

I have a couple of questions about the heads up tournaments (I'm pretty sure there are heads up this year, right?).

Where will everybody sit, how will they get that many dealers, will the starting stacks be different...?

It seems like it has the potential to be a disaster (though I would love to play in it)