Mirage pulls out of WPT Season 7
Though the schedule for Season 7 of the World Poker Tour has yet to be released, there's one event that won't appear in 2008: The Mirage Poker Showdown. After receiving a tip late last night I contacted Donna Harris, director of poker operations at the Mirage, for confirmation. “Because of a scheduling conflict we won’t be holding our event,” Harris said. When asked about the Mirage’s agreement with the WPT (it's in the middle of a 10-year pact), Harris said there are no penalties for not remaining on the schedule. “We, or they, can opt out at any time without penalty. But we fully intend to be back next year.” The event is always a cornerstone on the WPT slate and usually kicks off its season. So what does this mean? The WPT says it is still firming up its schedule for 2008 and wouldn't confirm or deny this report. My efforts to get someone at MGM/Grand regarding the Mandalay Bay event were met without substance as well. I will update if they return my call. This may be tied to WPT scheduling problems during the months of May-June but the WPT will only say that it hasn't been able to solidify its schedule and would not comment on any production or scheduling problems.
It's not hard to see the scheduling dilemma. The WSOP and Venetian Deep Stack tourneys have a stranglehold on the poker revenue in the summer. Where would the $10K buy-ins come from if the Mirage, et al, had to continually hold an event so close to these other major tournaments? Stay tuned.
UPDATE: I have heard back from the MGM people and they are feverishly working on a release that will address this issue. Don't be surprised if the Mandalay Bay event is pulled this year as well. They wouldn't confirm that fact for me right now on the record, so when they come to a decision they will call me. It makes sense that both events would be pulled since they are always so close to one another and if one can't handle a "scheduling conflict" then the other likely can't handle it either. Stay tuned again.
Chris Cosenza
Times Staff Writer
Christopher Cosenza is co-host of the longest running poker podcast on the planet, Ante Up! He started playing poker seriously in 2003 and his favorite players are Phil Ivey and Kenna James, though he tends to act like Phil Hellmuth if you make a bad play against him.
Scott Long, Ante Up!'s other co-host, is the author of the monthly Bet on It column in tbt*. He began gambling way too young (don't tell the fuzz!) and in the seventh grade, named his state "Gambleland" for a school project (State Animal? Loan shark, of course).
WOW, maybe someone will now try and compete with the WPT. Sounds Great.
yzerman
Posted by: Yzerman | January 17, 2008 at 03:14 PM
"Where would the $10K buy-ins come from if the Mirage, et al, were forced to hold an event so close to these other major tournaments? Stay tuned."
Didn't the Mandalay Bay tournament extend through the start of the first WSOP event last year?
Posted by: Erik | January 17, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Yes Erik, it extended into the WSOP schedule by two days, overlapping with the Mixed Hold Em Championships, the Casino Employee tourney and a NLHE event.
Posted by: Chris Cosenza | January 17, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Yea, I rememebr the Mirage event not being a $1million first place and Ivey not being able to play the Mixed Holdem event cause he final tabled there.
Posted by: Erik | January 17, 2008 at 04:58 PM
This is OT but hope to see you all at the AIIPS tourny tonight. :)
Posted by: Michelle from Tampa | January 17, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Wow, breaking news on a poker blog!?! Keep up the good work, and the updates.
Posted by: Tucman | January 18, 2008 at 12:18 AM