2006 WSOP Main Event most skillful in at least 20 years

[LuckyScum]

People talk about how much luck there is nowadays in the WSOP ME with so many players, but with the tournament going to 9 days this year there is actually more skill--as I will define it shortly--than in the past 20 years.
I am defining skill by the pace of a tournament; the slower it goes, the more skill will be a factor. For the past 20 years, the last two days have started with 27 and 9 players respectively. This year, starting with 8000 players, on average 44.35% will survive each of the first seven days. This is thus equivalent to a 4-day tournament with 137 players, a 5 day tournament with 309 players, a six day tournament with 697 players or a 7-day tournament (last year's length) with 1574 players. All tournaments in the last 20 years have gotten rid of people more quickly than they will this year, even if they are full.
Furthermore, the last two days both take considerably longer; the final table used to be over in 6-8 hours and last year took 16.
So far all everyone's complaining, the skill factor is not to be underestimated despite the number of players.
Still, the number of players has grown far faster than the number of name players, so despite the increase in skill there may not be that many name players at the final table.
Furthermore, the skill difference between the best and the rest has narrowed over the years.
CONCLUSION: Those making it to the last 2 days this year are apt to be more skilled on average than any previous 27.

Comments welcome.

[THEOSU]

100 minute rounds this year all tournament long compared to 2 hours long in the past.

Ergo: more luck, less skill.

[LuckyScum]

Yes, but don't forget they've added a lot of levels--admittedly not new this year--since 5-10 years ago.
5-10 years ago it went
100-200 200-400 300-600 instead of now going
100-200 150-300 200-400 250-500 300-600

[Alan Goehring]

Your headline is completely wrong----it should read "2006 WSOP Main Event LEAST skillful in at least 20 years". It is the hours of play, not number of days, that determine how slow the play is.

I believe the 2006 WSOP main event has the exact same levels as 2005, with the levels being shortened to 100 minutes from 120 minutes----clearly 2006 will be FAR inferior to 2005 from a skill standpoint. Many years ago there were fewer levels, but I suspect there was more play in those years as the 120 minute levels more than compensated for the few extra levels we have in 2006.

[david050173]

Actuall it is hands played not hours played. I am guessing play is a bit slower with all the people playing thier first live tournament.

[MikeGuz]

I agree with Alan, however luckyscum (the name of most of my opponents who out draw me) makes the mistake of assuming name players are the only "skilled" players.

We must remember the TV progeams are purposely building a "star system" to promote and build interest in their programs this does not by any means mean the so called stars are the "skilled ones".

Suffice it to say Moneymaker IMHO is not in the same class of a Jesus Ferguson or TJ Cloutier however as readers of this site know Fossell Man, an unkonwn on the BIG TV programs before his big win is "for real" giving his expert analysis on these pages since the late '90s when many of todays fabricated "super stars" were using clear-a-cel on their pimpley faces in high school.

[ESKiMO-SiCKNE5S]

luckyscum is totally right. i predict with this new 'slower' structure the most skillful players will win. phil hellmuth will definitely make the final table.

[RoyalLance]

[ QUOTE ]
phil hellmuth will definitely make the final table.

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely if Pepsi pays to add him there.

[lozen]

I thought the blinds started at 25/50? Has the 100/200 been stanadard.

[slickpoppa]

[ QUOTE ]
I thought the blinds started at 25/50? Has the 100/200 been stanadard.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's still 25-50 to start