WSOP 'migrating' to different time of year?

DonkeyChip · #1 10-31-2005, 04:36 PM

Two years ago the WSOP ME was in late May IIRC. This year it was in early July and next year it's scheduled in late July/early August. I would think there is a reason the WSOP keeps getting pushed later into the calendar year but I have no idea what it is. I don't know if future WSOPs will be pushed further into the calendar year or if there is some 'ideal' time they're shooting for. Any guesses?

burningyen · #2 10-31-2005, 04:46 PM

My guess is they picked a time of year when tourist business is low.

Dynasty · #3 10-31-2005, 05:00 PM

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My guess is they picked a time of year when tourist business is low.

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I think this is exactly what Harrahs is doing. They want to fill up their convention space and hotel rooms during the slower summer months.

danzasmack · #4 10-31-2005, 05:00 PM

finals? college students would have problems with may.

Sly_Grin · #5 10-31-2005, 05:04 PM

I agree 100%. Nobody goes to Vegas in late July except people who never intend to spend more than 60 seconds a day outside. Poker players fit the bill. There ARE the usual bunch of conventions, in fact the WSOP is really viewed as just another convention by Harrah's, a chance to fill the hotel when regular tourists are absent.

The 2006 schedule shows the opposite ends of the conventioneers that I think would be fun to have in town while I am there.
7/16-18 30,000 cosmeticians
8/13-17 52,000 surplus dealers

Dynasty · #6 10-31-2005, 05:17 PM

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...in fact the WSOP is really viewed as just another convention by Harrah's, a chance to fill the hotel when regular tourists are absent.

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Not true.

Kevmath · #7 10-31-2005, 05:35 PM

I'll need to find the article, but the reason why it'll be so late next year is that they're locked in with conventions in that space. Harrah's wants to move the WSOP back nearer the dates it had been held in the past.

Here's the quote, from this article:

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"Actually, we would've preferred to keep it at the date it was this year [June 2 or actually move it back somewhat,'' said Gary Thompson, Harrah's director of World Series of Poker operations. "I think ESPN also wanted to do that. But the problem was we had advanced bookings for the convention space at the Rio, as well as our other properties in Las Vegas. That is basically the only time we had available the space necessary to host that event.''

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sketchy1 · #8 11-01-2005, 03:04 AM

I think you might be misreading that. I believe they wanted the WSOP in 2005 in that time space, but couldn't because of conventions. I remember hearing that when I was reporting there. Something along those lines. This coming event is probably the time they wanted to have it in this year, but were unable to. This gets priority over conventions, obviously.