The Only Poker Blog
That Matters PokerJunkie.com

Daniel Negreanu is at it again. He is lobbying for a format change at the final table of the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Event. Back when the event kicked off in 2006, the final table was H.O.R.S.E. and we got to watch as Chip Reese caught suckout after suckout to beat Andy Bloch.

Well, a lot of players lobbied to have the final tabled changed back to what most of the tournament was played at, H.O.R.S.E. The WSOP listened, but the ratings for the event on TV suffered. As a result, this year, the event was not televised and the numbers for the event dropped from 148 to 95.

Negreanu pointed out the fact that the lack of TV coverage was the main reason for this, and I agree with him that it is likely the reason. However, he wants to switch back to NL Holdem for the final table due to the fact it will get better ratings.

I personally hate this idea for the simple fact that the players did not come out to play NL, they came out to play H.O.R.S.E. Negreanu argues that TV is necessary to maintain the prestige of the event. Sadly, TV has programmed everyone to love only NL Holdem, and this ADD society cannot stand to take the extra time to watch a Stud 8 hand.

Personally, I get bored as shit watching Holdem on TV unless we are talking about High Stakes Poker or something like that. Some of the better coverage of WSOP events has been the non-Holdem games as you are not just looking at a shove fest. However, that is me. I am not ADD.

Daniel says that he is shocked about how that a majority of players wanted to change the format. Why? They are poker players. They want to have the best shot to win and for many, a NL final table is not in their best interest to win the tournament.

Of course, it also comes down to their motivation. It seems to me that Daniel is more concerned about poker’s “status” than he is about playing and winning poker tournaments. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the argument and looking at it from a purely “business” standard, yes, a NL final table may work better. However, looking at it from a poker player’s perspective, it’s rubbish.

In my opinion, the H.O.R.S.E. final table should have never been NL. Of course, if the event had not been NL then we would not have been subjected to the “amazing” suckout display that was the heads-up match of the 2006 H.O.R.S.E event. Had that final table been H.O.R.S.E., I personally don’t think Chip makes heads-up. The heads-up match is the strongest evidence against the NL final table in my opinion. Had that been H.O.R.S.E., Reese doesn’t pull off suckout after suckout to double up. The outcome would have been different.

Sadly, I think Negreanu will get his way and the format will get switched if the event gets televised next year. Does a NL H.O.R.S.E. final table make for better drama? Sure. Does it equal better poker? No.