World Series of Poker Seeks Main Event Feedback Via Public Survey
The 2015 World Series of Poker will run from May 27 through July 14 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, and in preparation for the 46th annual series, officials are seeking public input on the prestigious $10,000 buy-in Main Event via a 10-question survey.
The 2015 WSOP Main Event will feature three starting flights beginning on Sunday, July 5 with and running 10 consecutive days until the November Nine is determined on July 14. For the second year in a row, the event will award $10 million to the winner, an announcement that inspired debate among the poker community.
In 2014, Sweden's Martin Jacobson topped a field of 6,683 players – up from 6,352 in 2013 when Ryan Riess won for $8.3 million — to capture the $10 million first-place prize, which was the second-biggest haul in Main Event history behind Jamie Gold’s $12 million in 2006.
“We always value the feedback of the players and thought it prudent to survey them on this issue as a result of recent chatter,” the WSOP’s Seth Palansky told PokerNews. “We will analyze the data and determine the best course of action moving forward in part based on that input. Obviously we’re never going to see 100% agreement on issues when getting responses to surveys, so we know satisfying everyone’s input won’t be possible. But if there is a way to make the WSOP better, the playing experience better, that’s what we are here to do. We will keep the survey open for as long as we feel necessary to gauge the issues.”
Here’s a look at the 10 multiple choice questions on the survey:
- Have you previously participated in the World Series of Poker?
- Have you previously played in the WSOP Main Event $10,000 World Championship?
- How did you first become aware of the WSOP Main Event?
- Do you plan on participating in the 2015 WSOP Main Event?
- Do you think the WSOP Main Event should start paying a larger percentage of the field?
- We are considering paying more places for the WSOP Main Event. For example: last year, the WSOP Main Event paid 693 places with 693rd receiving $18,406, 100th place getting $52,141 and 10th getting $565,193. If we pay 1,000 places using 6683 entrants as the benchmark, 1000th would possibly receive $15,000, 693rd would then get $16,750, 100th spot would hypothetically receive $50,000 and 10th would get $525,000. Are these pay adjustments an acceptable compromise to increase the percentage of the field paid out from a standard 10% to more along the lines of 15%?
- The 2014 WSOP Main Event had $62,820,200 in the prize pool and 6,683 entries. How much money do you think the WSOP Main Event winner deserves for winning the event using last year's numbers as the baseline?
- What is the minimum amount someone cashing in the $10,000 Main Event should win?
- The 2014 WSOP Main Event featured 6,683 players and paid out 693 places or 10.4% of entrants. How many players do you think should receive a prize based on the 6,683 entries baseline?
- Would any of the following make you MORE likely to play in the 2015 WSOP Main Event?
Only thing Id add is if the inference is that nothing is yet set in stone for the main event payouts and the issue is back on the table -this is indeed fact,
"The main event payouts are being discussed again prior to pre-registration opening, and this data will be one of sever factors we consider," WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart added. "We're interested in getting a broad swath of feedback, which ideally includes and segments both returning customer and potential customers. So we hope players and fans will help us get the word out quickly about our interest to hear from them."
Stewart went on to add: "While in the year 2015 it is problematic to have official 'advisors' that are not vetted by gaming regulators, we are always very serious about getting player input, and not just from the loudest voices. Truly our incentives could not be more aligned with the player customers as we all want the Main Event to have the highest possible prize pool in 2015 and years to come."
Take the 3-minute, 10-question survey by clicking here.
For more on the 2015 WSOP, check out the following schedule announcement video:
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PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, Podcast host & 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.
