We low-stakes players love the deep-stack events … but as Matt Savage pointed out this summer, and a concern that Andy Bloch has re-raised more recently, big-time pro tourneys don\’t necessarily benefit in the same way from these structures.
(The basics of the beef: the blinds move too slow early, and too fast in the middle of the tournament.)
Should be extra interesting to see these issues in action tomorrow for the start of the WPT Festa al Lago $15k main event. Not only are stack sizes in relation to the blinds in play, but also — and I\’m pretty sure this part is new — players will be allowed to late-register (with a totally fresh starting stack) well into Day 2!
For a better explanation, WPT Lead Tournament Reporter BJ Nemeth breaks it down a bit more. Says BJ:
There are currently 40 players registered for this WPT event, & there is only one starting day (tomorrow).
Like the December tourney, this one will let you register anytime during the first *eight* levels. [So] they\’re letting players register until 5:00 pm on Day TWO.
This tourney begins with 60,000 in chips (4x stack) and blinds at 50-100. That\’s 600 big blinds. (Though I still expect someone to bust in the first level or two.)
If you skip Day 1 and show up at the start of Day 2, you\’ll have 75 big blinds to work with. If you wait as long as possible and begin play at the start of Level 9, you\’ll have 37.5 big blinds in your stack.
Hmm, OK … we\’ll have to see if this adds fuel to Andy Bloch\’s fire, or satisfies those who pony up the $15k buy-in enough that complaints about overly deep stacks fail to grow any teeth. Word is that tournament-side WSOP officials will be watching closely at how it plays out.
Click below to see Bellagio\’s venerable TD Jack McClelland\’s blind structure for tomorrow\’s big event in its entirety:
General Rules:
1. Players will start with $60,000 in tournament chips.
2. Each level will last 90 minutes.
3. 15 minute break at the end of each level.
4. 3% of prize money will be withheld for poker room staff.
5. NO RE-BUYS: Your chips will be confiscated and you will NOT RECEIVE A REFUND OR COLLECT ANY PRIZE MONEY.
6. Management reserves the right to change or cancel tournaments.
7. Winners will be paid in casino chips.
8. Tournament champion will receive a $25,500 + $500 entry for the 2010 WPT Championship event.
9. 10/21/09-Day 1-play 5 levels, 10/22/09-play 5 levels, 10/23-play 5 levels, 10/24-play 5 levels, 10/25-play to final six players, 10/26-T.V. final table.
10. Residents of foreign countries without a U.S. tax treaty will be subject to withholding.
Blinds
Level 1: 50-100
Level 2: 100-200
Level 3: 100-200 (25 ante)
Level 4: 200-400 (25)
Level 5: 300-600 (50)
Level 6: 400-800 (75)
Level 7: 500-1,000 (100)
Level 8: 600-1,200 (100)
Level 9: 800-1,600 (200)
Level 10: 1,000-2,000 (200)
Level 11: 1,200-2,400 (300)
Level 12: 1,500-3,000 (400)
Level 13: 2,000-4,000 (400)
Level 14: 3,000-6,000 (500)
Level 15: 4,000-8,000 (500)
Level 16: 5,000-10,000 (1,000)
Level 17: 6,000-12,000 (1,000)
Level 18: 8,000-16,000 (2,000)
Level 19: 10,000-20,000 (2,000)
Level 20: 12,000-24,000 (3,000)
Level 21: 15,000-30,000 (4,000)
Level 22: 20,000-40,000 (4,000)
Level 23: 30,000-60,000 (5,000)
Level 24: 40,000-80,000 (5,000)
Level 25: 50,000-100,000 (10,000)
Level 26: 60,000-120,000 (10,000)
Level 27: 80,000-160,000 (15,000)
Level 28: 100,000-200,000 (15,000)
Level 29: 120,000-240,000 (20,000)
Level 30: 150,000-300,000 (25,000)
Level 31: 200,000-400,000 (25,000)
Level 32: 300,000-600,000 (50,000)
Level 33: 400,000-800,000 (75,000)
Level 34: 500,000-1,000,000 (100,000)
