We Don't Need No Stinkin Commissioner

The 2010 World Series of Poker was posted briefly online earlier in the day and then taken down. If you go over to 2+2 forums, you can take a look at what was posted. Odds are that the schedule is nowhere near accurate, but it gives you a good idea of what to expect.

In an equally as interesting article in the Las Vegas Sun, Seth Palansky, the talking head of the WSOP, gave some insight into next year’s WSOP. He talked about the popularity of the lower buy-in events and that there will a greater variety in the buy-ins to attract more players. He also stated that the WSOP will not play on July 4th. I personally like this idea as July 4th is a national holiday and people should not be stuck playing poker for 12 hours when they would rather be with their family.

However, the bit that I thought was most interesting was Palansky’s remarks about the position of WSOP commissioner:

“There’s no plans to replace the commissioner role, nor do we feel that there’s a void there.”

OUCH! Effectively, he has said, we don’t need no stinkin’ commissioner.

Granted, he stated that “We feel that the brand has grown and the staff that has been here throughout is here and ready.” As a result, he thinks that the staff as a whole can help grow the game. Really? It is not better to have one person as a symbol for the company that has the job of growing the game? You really think that Jack Effel, Jimmy Sommerfeld, and others are going to have the time to grow the game AND do their normal duties?

In this case, I think Palansky and company need to reassess their evaluation of the position. Love him or hate him, Jeffrey Pollack was the symbol of the WSOP and the game did grow under his leadership. The commissioner concept I do not believe is a flawed concept and deserves at least further consideration. Now if you come out and promote Jack Effel or someone similar to a position of like responsibility, but without the title, I am fine with that, but don’t heap a bunch of extra work on people that already have too much to do as it stands.

I’m really interested to see how the 2010 WSOP will unfold. Is it going to keep chugging along, or will it be a monumental train wreck?