A new level of no-limit hold’em competition has been ushered into the 2009 World Series of Poker, as Thursday, May 28th marked day 1 of the $40,000 no-limit hold’em event. Now the second most expensive tournament in WSOP history (behind the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event), the $40,000 no-limit hold’em tournament, according to a number of pro players, has the potential to become the new “main event” of the WSOP in terms of respect, as it would eliminate amateur players due to the large buy-in.
“I think it’s a great way to bring together the best no-limit hold’em players in a concentrated field, probably resulting in one of the best final tables anyone has ever seen,” said Jeffrey Pollack, WSOP commissioner.
Originally, Harrah’s had said that the $40,000 no-limit event would most likely be a one-time tournament, though the resounding interest in the tournament has made the organizers think twice about whether or not to bring it back for next year.
Not all players are happy about the new tournament, however, especially with the fact that it is taking place so early in the WSOP schedule of events. “I think it’s asinine. I’ll be playing in it, but I think it’s asinine,” Mike Matusow said on his Card Player TV show, The Mouthpiece. “Why would they possibly want to break everybody on day 1?”
Regardless, many believe that the winner of this event will be considered the best no-limit hold’em player in the world, perhaps taking away some of the prestige from whoever wins the main event later on.
