Exact dates for 2006 WSOP Main Event?
 

Does anyone have any info of when the mian event will take place?

The official site says summer of 2006. I have a wedding I will be at in late July and it looks like the timing could be close?

Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

Re: Exact dates for 2006 WSOP Main Event?
 

The rumor I hear is around July 28th. I do not think official dates have been announced.

Re: Exact dates for 2006 WSOP Main Event?
 

[ QUOTE ]
The rumor I hear is around July 28th. I do not think official dates have been announced.

[/ QUOTE ]

Crap!

That is what I was afraid of. I will be cutting it very close!

Anybody out there have anything official?

Re: Exact dates for 2006 WSOP Main Event?
 

it has not been officially announced yet.

2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
it has not been officially announced yet.

[/ QUOTE ]

now it has (forgive the lack of formatting):

note - Main Event now appears to be potentially two weeks long (!)

The complete schedule of 2006 World Series of Poker events is as follows:


Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Date Day Time Event # Event Name Buy-In
25-Jun-06 Sunday 9:00 AM Satellites/Live Action
begins
26-Jun-06 Monday 12 noon 1 Casino Employee No-Limit $500.00
Event
27-Jun-06 Tuesday 12 noon 2 No-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
28-Jun-06 Wednesday 12 noon 3 Pot-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
29-Jun-06 Thursday 12 noon 4 Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
30-Jun-06 Friday 12 noon 5 Short Handed (6/table) $2,500.00
No-Limit Hold'em
1-Jul-06 Saturday 12 noon 6 No-Limit Hold'em $2,000.00
2-Jul-06 Sunday 12 noon 7 Limit Hold'em $3,000.00
3-Jul-06 Monday 12 noon 8 Omaha Hi-low Split $2,000.00
4-Jul-06 Tuesday 12 noon 9 No-Limit Hold'em $5,000.00
5-Jul-06 Wednesday 12 noon 10 Seven Card Stud $1,500.00
6-Jul-06 Thursday 12 noon 11 Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
6-Jul-06 Thursday 2:00 PM 12 Omaha Hi-low Split $5,000.00
7-Jul-06 Friday 12 noon 13 No-Limit Hold'em $2,500.00
8-Jul-06 Saturday 12 noon 14 No-Limit Hold'em $1,000.00
w/re-buys
9-Jul-06 Sunday 11:00 AM 15 Ladies Event No-Limit $1,000.00
Hold'em 1 day event
9-Jul-06 Sunday 12 noon 16 Pot-Limit Omaha $10,000.00
10-Jul-06 Monday 12 noon 17 No-Limit Hold'em $1,000.00
11-Jul-06 Tuesday 12 noon 18 Pot-Limit Hold'em $2,000.00
12-Jul-06 Wednesday 11:00 AM 19 Seniors No-Limit $1,000.00
Hold'em 1 day event
12-Jul-06 Wednesday 12 noon 20 No-Limit 2-7 Draw $5,000.00
Lowball w/rebuys
13-Jul-06 Thursday 12 noon 21 No-Limit Hold'em- $2,500.00
Short handed 6/table
14-Jul-06 Friday 12 noon 22 No-Limit Hold'em $2,000.00
15-Jul-06 Saturday 12 noon 23 Limit Hold'em $3,000.00
15-Jul-06 Saturday 2:00 PM 24 Omaha Hi-low Split $3,000.00
16-Jul-06 Sunday 12 noon 25 No-Limit Hold'em $2,000.00
Shootout
17-Jul-06 Monday 12 noon 26 Pot-Limit Omaha $1,500.00
18-Jul-06 Tuesday 12 noon 27 No-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
19-Jul-06 Wednesday 12 noon 28 Seven Card Stud $5,000.00
19-Jul-06 Wednesday 2:00 PM 29 Pot-Limit Hold'em $2,500.00
20-Jul-06 Thursday 12 noon 30 No-Limit Hold'em- $5,000.00
Short handed 6/table
21-Jul-06 Friday 12 noon 31 No-Limit Hold'em $2,000.00
22-Jul-06 Saturday 12 noon 32 Pot-Limit Hold'em $5,000.00
22-Jul-06 Saturday 2:00 PM 33 Seven Card Razz $1,500.00
23-Jul-06 Sunday 12 noon 34 No-Limit Hold'em $1,000.00
w/re-buys
24-Jul-06 Monday 12 noon 35 Seven Card Hi Low $1,000.00
Split
24-Jul-06 Monday 2:00 PM 36 Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
Shootout
25-Jul-06 Tuesday 12 noon 37 No-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
26-Jul-06 Wednesday see below Satellite Day
27-Jul-06 Thursday see below Media/Celebrity Event
and Satellite Day

28-Jul-06 Friday 38 No-Limit Texas Hold'em $10,000.00
World Championship
Event
28-Jul-06 Friday 12 Noon Day 1A 2000 play down to 800
29-Jul-06 Saturday 12 Noon Day 1B 2000 play down to 800
30-Jul-06 Sunday 12 Noon Day 1C 2000 play down to 800
31-Jul-06 Monday 12 Noon Day 1D 2000 play down to 800
1-Aug-06 Tuesday 12 noon A + B 1600 to 700
2-Aug-06 Wednesday 12 noon C + D 1600 to 700
3-Aug-06 Thursday Day off for main event
3-Aug-06 Thursday 10:00 AM 39 No-Limit Hold'em $1,000.00
1 day event
4-Aug-06 Friday 12 noon ABCD Play 1400 down to 600
5-Aug-06 Saturday 12 noon Play 600 down to 300
5-Aug-06 Saturday 10:00 AM 40 No-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
6-Aug-06 Sunday 12 noon Play 300 down to 150
6-Aug-06 Sunday 10:00 AM 41 No-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
7-Aug-06 Monday 12 noon Play 150 down to 60
7-Aug-06 Monday 10:00 AM 42 No-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
8-Aug-06 Tuesday 12 noon Play 60 down to 27
8-Aug-06 Tuesday 10:00 AM 43 No-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
9-Aug-06 Wednesday 12 noon Play 27 down to 9
9-Aug-06 Wednesday 10:00 AM 44 No-Limit Hold'em $1,500.00
10-Aug-06 Thursday 12 noon Final Table

Re: Exact dates for 2006 WSOP Main Event?
 

A, B, C, and D on day 1?!?!

Good golly.

And then day 2 is still two seperate groups.

Looks they are planning for a few more than 5600 next year (I'm not so sure they are going to get it).

The whole main-event is going to take almost 2 freaking weeks?!?!
Wow.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

Where did this information come from? Can you provide a link?

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]

No-Limit Texas Hold'em $10,000.00
World Championship Event
28-Jul-06 Friday 12 Noon Day 1A 2000 play down to 800
29-Jul-06 Saturday 12 Noon Day 1B 2000 play down to 800
30-Jul-06 Sunday 12 Noon Day 1C 2000 play down to 800
31-Jul-06 Monday 12 Noon Day 1D 2000 play down to 800
1-Aug-06 Tuesday 12 noon A + B 1600 to 700
2-Aug-06 Wednesday 12 noon C + D 1600 to 700
3-Aug-06 Thursday Day off for main event
4-Aug-06 Friday 12 noon ABCD Play 1400 down to 600
5-Aug-06 Saturday 12 noon Play 600 down to 300
6-Aug-06 Sunday 12 noon Play 300 down to 150
7-Aug-06 Monday 12 noon Play 150 down to 60
8-Aug-06 Tuesday 12 noon Play 60 down to 27
9-Aug-06 Wednesday 12 noon Play 27 down to 9
10-Aug-06 Thursday 12 noon Final Table

[/ QUOTE ]

I've thought that a couple days off is a good idea. In particular, I wanted to see a day of prior to the final table.

It would seem Harrah's is creating a new cap of 8,000 for next year.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

my word isn't good enough around here? fine! here's yer stinkin' link!

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

Can't wait for the "Would you rather play 1A, 1B, 1C or 1D" questions to pop up. But at least everyone who makes it to day 3 will get at least 2 days off. A shame they can't throw in a HORSE or HOSE tournament in the middle of all the NL that's in there.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

If I play on day 1a and somehow survive then my schedule is:

Day 1 - Fri, Jul 28
Day 2 - Tue, Aug 1
Day 3 - Fri, Aug 4



Enough players have trouble just getting off work for a couple days to make it out there for day 1 and 2 (and improvising if they somehow make it longer than that).


This new format looks like it could some even more SERIOUS scheduling issues for some.

You could be stuck out there until day 3, which takes over a week, and STILL not even make it into the money (so it's not like you're in a position where you can quit your job).


Do we really believe that the main-event will get 8,000 players next year?
My guess would be about 5,600 again.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

It was in a press release. For instance Yahoo Business.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
Do we really believe that the main-event will get 8,000 players next year?
My guess would be about 5,600 again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're right. In the neighborhood of 5K sounds right. I think 2005 was the peak of this. I don't see a big downswing really fast, but I think the "reality" of the true difficulty of the game (and long odds on hitting the money for the "anyone can win" crowd) is coming to light for the masses.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

Looks like they are also trying to avoid the 14hr days. Most 'goals' after the 'first day' seem to be to cut the field in half each day instead of to 1/3 like this year.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do we really believe that the main-event will get 8,000 players next year?
My guess would be about 5,600 again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're right. In the neighborhood of 5K sounds right. I think 2005 was the peak of this. I don't see a big downswing really fast, but I think the "reality" of the true difficulty of the game (and long odds on hitting the money for the "anyone can win" crowd) is coming to light for the masses.

[/ QUOTE ]

Phil Gordon recently had a book reading at the U of M for his new book. Someone asked him if he thought the WSOP had peaked this year, he was very confident that the field this year would be around 7500, next year peak at 10k and level off after that.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

Don't forget that this year didn't reach max expectations. They were ready for 6600 and didn't get there. I'll stand by 5000. I think 10K in 2 years is way out of line, but we shall see.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

Thanks for the info!

Looks like I'm good to go! Wedding 7/22/05!

Now I just got to qualify!

Thanks everyone!

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
Don't forget that this year didn't reach max expectations. They were ready for 6600 and didn't get there. I'll stand by 5000. I think 10K in 2 years is way out of line, but we shall see.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wasn't my guess, so I need not remember anything. Was just passing along Phil Gordons opinion on the matter

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

I think we'll have to wait for this year's to air and see how well it does. I honestly believe, depending on how good/bad the coverage is seen by Joe Schmoe, that it could change the turnout by almost 1000 in either direction. My guess is 6,300-6,4000 for 2006, leveling off around 6,000 after that. I think it hits its peak in 2006, unless something really crazy happens (Hachem or Raymer make the final table, something along those lines).

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

Lots of the online-qualifiers who made it there for the first time last year might not be 'repeaters' imo.

I played with a few guys in various satellites and smaller events who seemed somewhat fried as well as frustrated that they were getting clobbered.

It's big and crazy and crowded...and it's a pain to get to the men's room.


I think if we were to add 2,000 'first-timers' we will likely still be losing 1,500 of those who were 'first-timers' last year.

Just a hunch. No real evidence here.



Also worth considering is the WSOP circuit.
For example, the current event at Caesar's-Indiana (near Louisville) is packed.

I believe someone posted that their first 4 events were sold-out in advance and they had hundreds of alternates.

Will this whet the appetites of poker-players in that area and entice them to try to make it to Vegas in July for the 'real thing'?
Or will just playing a circuit event be enough for them? they get to say that they played in the WSOP and that gets them the 'rush'.


Is it possible that this WSOP-circuit making it's way around the country (although not as much anymore since Biloxi and new Orleans will be cancelled) will actually NEGATIVELY impact participation in the main-event?

I'm really not sure...just pontificating.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
Will this whet the appetites of poker-players in that area and entice them to try to make it to Vegas in July for the 'real thing'?
Or will just playing a circuit event be enough for them? t

[/ QUOTE ]


I say yes to the former. If you look at the list of players who cashed the 1K event at the Caesar's WSOPCT event, you don't see the usual list of names from the circuit--the Vegas and LA pros and other regulars. Instead, it's a whole new crop of people experiencing what it's like to go the distance and take down money in an NL tournament. Poker is a very engaging game and such experiences only serve to promote the desire for action, competition, winning.

I won't take a guess as to how many people will turn out for the main event next year, but I agree that the biggest potential problem with the 2006 ME schedule is the duration. I wonder what fraction of people who were able to take 1 week off this year for their ME seat won't be able to take off 10-15 days next year. Any guesses?

The one cool feature about the schedule is that no one plays 2 days in a row on either days 1A-D, or 2AB/2CD. I'm declaring Day 1D to be the ideal starting day. Do you see why?

Shane

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]



Also worth considering is the WSOP circuit.
For example, the current event at Caesar's-Indiana (near Louisville) is packed.

I believe someone posted that their first 4 events were sold-out in advance and they had hundreds of alternates.



[/ QUOTE ]

That was me, and I was ONCE AGAIN misinformed by people from Caesars Indiana. They are always wrong!! The first event did have 953 though($300). $500Limit-355, $1k-351, $500rebuy-130.

Re: Exact dates for 2006 WSOP Main Event?
 

On my way to search for the press release for this at Harrah's Web site (not there yet), I found this gem (dated October 20):
'National Heads-Up Poker Championship' Moves To Caesars Palace In New Deal

For those of you who don't have time to read the release, it doesn't look like there are many major changes other than the location. It will be held in March again, for broadcast by NBC in April & May over six episodes. Just like last time, it will be 64 players with a blind draw.

Two minor changes I noticed are the fact that NBC will be expanding their coverage from 8 to 10 hours, and that it will be exclusively broadcast on Sundays (some of the last competition was telecast on Saturdays).

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do we really believe that the main-event will get 8,000 players next year?
My guess would be about 5,600 again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're right. In the neighborhood of 5K sounds right. I think 2005 was the peak of this. I don't see a big downswing really fast, but I think the "reality" of the true difficulty of the game (and long odds on hitting the money for the "anyone can win" crowd) is coming to light for the masses.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep in mind, to a lot of people this is winning the lottery. I'd rather pay $10 G's with a 10,000-1 shot than pay $20 per week at the mega-millions or powerball. Granted, dead money doesn't have a 10,000-1 shot but regular folks don't know that.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
my word isn't good enough around here? fine! here's yer stinkin' link!

[/ QUOTE ]

We have a saying in the Auditing profession. "Trust, but verify." [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
my word isn't good enough around here? fine! here's yer stinkin' link!

[/ QUOTE ]

We have a saying in the Auditing profession. "Trust, but verify." [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you also say "There you go again" when somebody repeats a habit?

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

I played in the event last year and I think this is actually a good thing. One of my biggest complaints last year were the 14 hour days. It was mentally exhausting. When I look at the schedule, it doesn't look like any day will last more than 10 hours. And with days off in between, players can stay sharp. For the very good players, this should be a big advantage. I know some will say that endurance has always been a part of becoming a champion, but I think last year's schedule was over the top. Just my two cents.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
it doesn't look like any day will last more than 10 hours.

[/ QUOTE ]


day 1. 2k to 800 players will take awhile IF they actually get 8k.
this yr was about 1860 to 660 i think and that was using only 100 min levels.


day 2 will also be longer than 10 hours. but at least there is rest in=between,

No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

No mixed games once again I see, have they pretty much disappeared? Strange because Wynn spreads a 10/20 mixed sometimes, the "big game" is mixed, the Bike has 30/60 mixed sometimes, even Morongo has 3/6 mixed. Bad for TV I guess, or something...and no mixed games online that I am aware of, there should be.

Re: No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

At least they brought back 2-7, and razz. Nice to see some more non holdem events.

Re: No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

[ QUOTE ]
At least they brought back 2-7, and razz. Nice to see some more non holdem events.

[/ QUOTE ]

They cut out 1 Stud8 though. In 2005 there were a $1000 and a $2000. This year only a $1000. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I could only play in the $1000 last year and looked forward to 2 of them in 2006.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do we really believe that the main-event will get 8,000 players next year?
My guess would be about 5,600 again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're right. In the neighborhood of 5K sounds right. I think 2005 was the peak of this. I don't see a big downswing really fast, but I think the "reality" of the true difficulty of the game (and long odds on hitting the money for the "anyone can win" crowd) is coming to light for the masses.

[/ QUOTE ]

I may be wrong but I will respectfully disagree. With the actual schedule out now, all the internet sites will start cranking up their tournaments for seats. Between that the increase in WSOPC events and Harrah's marketing machine, I think 8,000 is easily do-able and will be reached.

Re: No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

I wasn't happy at that, either. Sure, they kept 2-7, probably to keep the big pros from creating too much of a fuss.

There seem to be a lot of events that don't get their own days--they're running across a Hold'em event. Of course, it would make sense to have, say, the Seniors event or the Ladies event across one of the big $5000 ones, since relatively few players would want to play in both. July 12 is an example of that.

However, I have some issues with July 15, 19, and 24. The stud championship, the $3000 Omaha-8 tourney, and the Stud-8 tournament are running against $2500 PLH, $3000 Limit Hold'em, and $1500 Limit Shootout, respectively. I think a lot of players who would otherwise go to the non-Hold'em events are going to get sucked in...because there will be more dead money in those events.

I would have much rather seen some of the low-level Hold'em events cut out. In their place, I would have had some more $10000 events--in Stud, Limit Hold'em, and Omaha-8--plus $3000 or so HORSE and half-Stud half-Hold'em events. I'd also like a Young Guns tournament, for under-25s or under-27s, structured like the Ladies or Seniors events.

Re: No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I wasn't happy at that, either. Sure, they kept 2-7, probably to keep the big pros from creating too much of a fuss.

[/ QUOTE ]

Daniel Negreanu's latest blog wasn't happy about all the holdem events, saying that poker is dying (except for holdem). Supposedly, Harrah's were going to talk with various pros about changes to the WSOP, I'd assume adding more mixed games would've been in their agenda. There are still 8 more months that the schedule could be changed.

Re: No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

You would think with 6-max limit being all the rage on the internet now they would have added a shorthanded limit event. It appears they're all NL though!

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do we really believe that the main-event will get 8,000 players next year?
My guess would be about 5,600 again.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're right. In the neighborhood of 5K sounds right. I think 2005 was the peak of this. I don't see a big downswing really fast, but I think the "reality" of the true difficulty of the game (and long odds on hitting the money for the "anyone can win" crowd) is coming to light for the masses.

[/ QUOTE ]

I may be wrong but I will respectfully disagree. With the actual schedule out now, all the internet sites will start cranking up their tournaments for seats. Between that the increase in WSOPC events and Harrah's marketing machine, I think 8,000 is easily do-able and will be reached.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just think it's silly that people think the WSOP will suddenly flatten.

2001: 613
2002: 631 (2.9% increase)
2003: 839 (33.0% increase)
2004: 2,576 (207.0% increase)
2005: 5,619 (118.1% increase)

Getting to 8,000 players would only require a 42.4% increase over the 2005 #s.

The trend is still upwards

Re: No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

DN indeed sounds pissed in his latest blog.

I actually think it wouldn't be too hard for him to get the changes he wants, with a little work.

If he gets a stable of say 12 or more known pros with him, which I don't think would be too hard given that many people who love the game agree with his views, and they all promise to boycott the WSOP, I think they could get Harrah's to cave to them.

Re: No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

[ QUOTE ]
...they all promise to boycott the WSOP, I think they could get Harrah's to cave to them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Negreanu and other pros learned their lesson on this tactic when they tried it on Poker Superstars II.

Re: No S.H.O.E.? No H.O.R.S.E?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Negreanu and other pros learned their lesson on this tactic when they tried it on Poker Superstars II.


[/ QUOTE ]

Bingo. Anyway, most players want low-buyin Hold'em games, so Harrah's will give that to them.

If a bunch of pros really wanted to take a stab at this schedule (and I wouldn't blame them), then starting a whole different festival with more variety and higher buy-ins would be the tactic I would use.

Re: 2006 WSOP Main Event now published
 

[ QUOTE ]
I wonder what fraction of people who were able to take 1 week off this year for their ME seat won't be able to take off 10-15 days next year. Any guesses?

[/ QUOTE ]

Let me preface this by saying I have a rather nice job, with very friendly and understanding people. However:

When I went to get the time off for this year's WSOP ME, it was quite the strange experience when I went into my boss's office to let him know I was taking off for a week to go play poker; while he was okay with it, it certainly wasn't the most comfortable experience of my life. And I get along with him rather well; honestly, I'd have been better off saying I was going to spend a week at the beach than I was saying I was heading off to play a card game. My boss isn't quite attuned to popular culture (which probably describes many in managerial positions) had no clue what the hell the WSOP is, and why in the world I was skipping out of work for a week to go play in it.

Not sure how in the world I could ever take two weeks off with the reason being poker (I do however, get two weeks of vacation time every year - which bring me to my next point):

For those of us with wives (even without children), the situation is even stickier. I don't know many wives who are okay with their husbands taking off for two weeks; nor do I know many wives who want their husbands using all their vacation time to play poker, rather than take a family vacation. My wife is fully supportive of my poker hobby, but certainly doesn't enjoy being left home alone for a week. Not having children, I have the luxury of being able to bring my wife with me (provided she can get the time off, which she was able to this year, although again, it meant the hassel of her reorganizing some projects at work). I can only imagine the difficult decisions that must be made for people with children.

Factor in the costs the poker sites incur to reserve hotels for two weeks (a cost that will most likely be passed onto the players, probably in the form of a decreased ratio of seats per player in the sats.) - and the balancing act that is the WSOP ME becomes rather difficult for many of us non-professionals, particularly if booking hotels for an unknown number of nights (anywhere from 2 to 15) is now involved. I assume we might not see many 2006 WSOP ME Stars' packages with hotel included, given the expense of a hotel room at the Mirage or TI for two weeks; perhaps I'm wrong on that count, though.

This post is merely just meant to echo shaniac's point that the logistics of a two-week WSOP ME are difficult to manage for many amateur players.

Having said all that, should I be fortunate enough to qualify again - I'd do my best to work out the logitical issues in any way possible. I don't think I'd jeopardize my career or my marriage, but anything short of that is fair game. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

So to answer your question: "I wonder what fraction of people who were able to take 1 week off this year for their ME seat won't be able to take off 10-15 days next year. Any guesses?" - my guess is that, while being a much bigger pain in the ass, it won't deter too many people who would have played had the WSOP ME remained only a week long. But I certainly think it could be a factor.