Bellagio mirroring WSOP

[Jedi Poker]

What would happen if the Bellagio suddenly mirrored the WSOP exactly? That is, it started a tournament that has the exact same events as the WSOP, held on the same days, same buy-ins, identical bracelets for the winners, etc. - a total copycat?

[Ed Miller]

What would happen if the Bellagio suddenly mirrored the WSOP exactly? That is, it started a tournament that has the exact same events as the WSOP, held on the same days, same buy-ins, identical bracelets for the winners, etc. - a total copycat?

This is easy... they'd get sued.

[Jedi Poker]

On what grounds? One can't make a copyright infringement lawsuit to protect an idea, only the expression of an idea. There can't be trademark violation because the Bellagio would naturally not use any of the WSOP symbols or images. Perhaps they can call it "the Grand Prix of Poker" - but all of the events, their buy-ins, and their schedules are mirrored exactly. I wonder what would happen if this happened.

[RiverMel]

My guess would be that the poker community would be somewhat mad at Bellagio if they did this. Effectively, they would be cutting down on the "unified" nature of the WSOP--that is, that it's the "grand daddy" of them all, that it crowns the champion, etc. Remember when there was that flap in indy racing, when the Indianapolis 500 all of a sudden had to compete with another event on the same day that was drawing some of the best drivers? People were turned off from the sport in general. There is something about the WSOP being 'it' that makes it good, and I would guess that many players would be upset that it was being torn apart to a certain extent.

[Kurn, son of Mogh]

Isn't that what they're doing right now with the Five-Star Classic, even to the point of having the championship event with a bigger buy-in than the WSOP final? They're putting the wheels in motion to supplant Binion's as the host of the biggest poker tournament.

[Jedi Poker]

If Bobby Baldwin has General Tom Franks' flexibility, he can finish off the WSOP (and thus accomplish a "regime change") this year by quickly organizing a tournament that mirrors all of the WSOP's events exactly. Franks got 4 2,000 bombs dropped in a potential Hussein bunker after having been given only 12 minutes notice. Let's see what Bobby Baldwin and staff can do given two week's notice.

The Bellagio already has the market physically and literally locked in. It has much more prestige. And players would rather accept their checks than that of Binion's. It is going to be a mismatch.

Bellagio can give away gold, silver, and bronze medals instead of a single bracelet. Bellagio can drown out Binion's comps. The Strip is safer, is a lot more prestigious, and is closer to nice family attractions and shopping than downtown. Bellagio is partners with WPT. In addition, it has the Golden Nugget right across the Horseshoe. They can spread satellites and live games there. They can also offer free shuttle services between the two properties.

But Bellagio has to come up with a tournament name that sounds like a world championship. Suggestions: The World Championships of Poker, The Grand Championship of Poker, the Ultimate Poker Championships, World-Class Poker Championships, or whatever.