If you build it, they will come. … Right?
Enter the third regional championship and the word, "no."
Harrah's Rincon, located outside of San Diego, Calif., hosted the latest set of WSOP Circuit stops and the latest regional championship on the 2010-2011 schedule. The WSOP expressed to me earlier this year that they had high hopes for the property and were expecting a huge turnout. The history of the venue shouldn't have sent that message to the WSOP (only 70 players turned up for the $5,150 main event in 2009/2010's WSOPC stop), but I guess having 98 players in the regional championship is a … success?
When those that look at the turnouts and growth year over year on the WSOP Circuit weigh in, I guess that increase will be something to be proud of and it will hit the books as additional profit, but anyone actively following the industry knows that this showing for a $10,000 event is simply pathetic. The WSOP even offered extended registration into the second day (something that seven players took advantage of) and the courtesy of an airport pickup from the one and only Nolan Dalla. The players just didn't make the trek. There simply was not enough there for them this time around.
The bigger problem is that this is the second consecutive regional that just isn't getting the numbers. After only 136 players participated in the regional in Atlantic City (and you remember that I was shocked to see that low turnout), we might start wondering what the future of these big events might be. The $1,500 events, in general, have been holding their own weight (once again, Rincon and Atlantic City excluded). As have the preliminary events at all of these WSOP Circuit stops. The local players are coming in, but the big boys that should want this TV time and exposure more than anyone else, have opted to head elsewhere (WPT Vienna set an attendance record over the weekend) or stay at home and play Double Guarantee week on Full Tilt or the Sunday Million on PokerStars.
In any case, just days after only 188 players turned up and Seneca Easley won the $1,600 main event for $70,384, 98 players took to the felt in an $10,000 event in which every player had better than 1-in-11 chance to make a televised final table.
"I'm at Rincon 100 percent to try to qualify for national championship," David Baker told ESPN.com before play began on Day 2. "That event has so much value and exposure seemed like a decent shot here."
Eric Baldwin, a Day 1 casualty, headed out of town Monday morning and said, "No clue while more aren't there."
"Gotta pick and choose the 10ks I play," said Josh Brikis on Twitter when I asked why players didn't show up to Rincon. "I can't possibly play them all since I am not backed. … I've been playing a ton of prelims trying to get the seat, but yet for someone who plays all 10ks, no reason not to." AJ Martino added: "if I had 10k, I'd buy an asian clown."
Only a dozen players will make the money and the nine members of the final table will lock up their seat in one of the biggest freerolls of the year.
The final regional championship will take place in New Orleans on May 19-22. Given the location and timing (and also the last chance for many to qualify for the national championship), we can expect to see bigger numbers. Of course, that stop will be competing with the World Poker Tour and their $25,000 championship event. Where they go from there, I'm not sure. There is a ton of value in these tournaments with locals qualifying on site and the freeroll always available, but unless the word spreads and players really understand what they can get out of a trip to one of these off-the-path venues, I'm not sure the WSOP-C can play ball at the $10,000 level.
Small blinds: Alessio Isaia is going for his second WPT victory of the year at WPT Vienna. The Italian pro will enter the final table on Tuesday seventh in chips. A total of 447.840 euros will be awarded to first place and the final table will be streamed online with hole cards at the Party Poker Blog. … Full Tilt, trying to capitalize on its multi-entry tournaments once again, are offering "Double Guarantee" week, which is sure to boost online prize pools. … Daniel Negreanu defeated Viktor Blom in their second SuperStar Showdown. … Phil Ivey is going to teach the whole world how to win at poker. Nice! … Wynn has partnered with PokerStars. Lots more to come on this situation here at ESPN.com in the coming days. … UB is the new sponsor of the Heartland Poker Tour, taking over that title from PokerStars. … The Cake Poker network has partnered with PokerListings. … Vladimir Geshkenbein won EPT Snowfest and $552,901. … Tim West won the 2011 Wynn Classic Championship, defeating Annette Obrestad heads-up for the title and $318,738. Chad Brown, currently in a fight with cancer, won the $2,000 preliminary event for $73,088. … Brandon Adams started a new company that is offering people the chance to bid on poker lessons from Tom Dwan and Patrik Antonius. … Grant Levy on the ANZPT Perth Championship to win $131,500. Tim Marsters finished third for $47,000. … The first Onyx Cup qualifier took place on Sunday at Full Tilt and had approximately a $30,000 overlay.
