WSOP coverage

penguin7

Loved the WSOP coverage last night. Different with the 15 minute delay, and the hole cards revealed at the end of each hand.

But to me it did provoke a couple of questions......

Obviously some players were getting info from their support teams, and would know, albeit 15 mins later, the opening range of others and who was 3betting light etc.

Is this fair ? And would the players have been consulted about it, or was it simply imposed by WSOP/ESPN ?

The other point was the commentary. For a while I watched thinking how excellent it was, for pot after pot they were able to put each player on a range so well. Just superb reads !

Then it got even better, putting a player on "a hand like A9" and the opponent on possibly Q high. Hands revealed as A9 v Q8 !

So I started to have a few doubts. Was the commentary done live? If so could they see the cards ?

Thoughts?

scotty77

I doubt that there was any shady goings on with regards to the commentry/hole cards.  They will be on some pretty tough restrictions there and wouldn't want to create a scandal.  I remember that A9 hand but there were also times when Antonio got the hands very wrong...for example when Heinz just flat calls PF/FLOP with AJ on a J 8 4 and then checked back the 2 turn.

With regards to the fairness, I think that when I signed the WSOP contract during BI it had a couple of sections which related to the ESPN coverage and the TV/live stream tables.

YOUNG_GUN

In Response to Re: WSOP coverage:

I doubt that there was any shady goings on with regards to the commentry/hole cards.  They will be on some pretty tough restrictions there and wouldn't want to create a scandal.  I remember that A9 hand but there were also times when Antonio got the hands very wrong...for example when Heinz just flat calls PF/FLOP with AJ on a J 8 4 and then checked back the 2 turn. With regards to the fairness, I think that when I signed the WSOP contract during BI it had a couple of sections which related to the ESPN coverage and the TV/live stream tables.
Posted by scotty77

Sick brag skillz Ryan  

I was speaking with JJ/Dohhh during the earlier part of it and i think its not real poker if the hole cards can be seen so they can gain the info 15 minutes later. I know obviously they are aware of this and maybe used to their advantage but i'd rather watch not knowing the hole cards unless went to showdown also its a bit of a joke between every hand you get everyone going to there corner sometimes should be some sort of rule to say must stay seated till the break 

scotty77

I can understand that point, but as a whole for poker it is a good thing.  

To make poker good TV viewing, hole cards is a must for the casual/novice player and is an excellent way to bring in new people to the game.

Also without online poker available atm for US players, it is even more important to encourage people to take up live poker.

YOUNG_GUN

That is a good point, can understand it just from selfish POV thought its not real poker  

penguin7

It was that A9 hand that made me think , Scotty.

But point taken , there were hands when the commentary team did get it wrong.

My thinking was that perhaps the commentary was added on between the hand being live and the transmission. This would in no way impact on the integrity of the game itself, and maybe ESPN see it as justifiable so their coverage can look more professional. It would be a disaster if Antonio got it wrong every time !

I think you are more than likely right, but I will still watch the final stages with a little suspicion. With the ranges widening 3 handed, they will have to be more general in their reads.

Still not comfortable with the players getting info on their opponents, but as you say, it may have to be. But how would you feel if at a GUKPT final table your opponents found out you had 3barrelled them twice 15 minutes ago ? !

Final thought. One of the players, in his exit interview with Kara, said he thought the noise from the audience was OTT. It did sound pretty raucous and alcohol inspired. How much would it affect the players ?