RE: WSOP Final Table and Not a Final Table (3)

LAS VEGAS—Michele, I\’m wrong? Wanna bet? Steve Wong made, by definition, the final table. There were no other tables that followed the last one he sat at … and there were no other tables running when he was seated there with chips.

But because I think you sometimes know stuff and because I don\’t always trust my own hearsay, I consulted higher authorities on the 7-seated 6-handed final table matter. BJ Nemeth covered the event for PokerNews and knows how to explain the intricate details of on-field tournament operations pretty-dern well:

Dan —

In most events, you need to finish in the top 9 to be recognized as \”reaching the final table.\” This is why Phil Hellmuth didn\’t tie T.J. Cloutier for the most final tables until the tenth player busted on ESPN. The final ten players all play at the same table, but the official \”final table\” doesn\’t start until they reach nine players.

The same logic applied to the six-handed event. They combined the final seven players into one table (rather than playing three- and four-handed), and continued play until one more player was eliminated. The remaining six players reached the official \”final table.\” But the final seven all played at the same table.

So if you\’re asking me if the final seven players in the six-handed event played at the same table, that\’s true. But play continued on Day 2 until #7 busted. The official final table started on Day 3 with just six players, and only those six players receive \”credit\” for reaching the final table.

Confusing enough for you? Well, that\’s the way the tradition goes.

— BJ

Thanks, BJ. It does make sense. Well I mean not really — but I guess we shouldn\’t be surprised to see decision-making poker people not understanding that words should almost always mean what they say, especially when numbers are attached.

ALT HED: Strunk & Poker?

PS — I have decided to stick with Steve Wong through the remainder of the Series. He knows what\’s at stake and seems to have the desire necessary to deliver.