Sports network ESPN has recently released its schedule for the 2009 WSOP, which includes coverage of the Main Event, the $40,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament celebrating the WSOP's 40th anniversary as well as only two non-bracelet events: the annual Ante up for Africa charity tournament and the WSOP Champions Invitational.
The announcement has not been very well welcomed by the poker community, who will see a 30% reduction in the amount of World Series of Poker events covered by ESPN compared to last year's broadcast. Last year, ESPN aired six WSOP bracelet tournaments including the Main Event, the H.O.R.S.E. tournament and a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament. In 2007, ESPN covered 10 bracelet tournaments, including one Omaha and one Stud tournament.
This year, ESPN will air two one-hour episodes every night starting on July 28 with the $40,000 No-Limit Hold'em tournament scheduled to run from May 28th to 31st. In addition, ESPN will also air episodes of the Champions Invitational, a special No-Limit Hold'em tournament featuring 27 living Main Event champions and scheduled to take place on May 31st. The winner of the Champions Invitational will receive the Binion Cup along with a new car. Coverage of this event will begin on Aug. 4th on ESPN.
The third annual Ante Up for Africa celebrity poker tournament, which last year raised a total of $1.2 million for the Darfur refugees in Sudan, will take place on July 2nd and will air on August 11th on ESPN.
Coverage of the Main Event, which kicks off on July 3rd at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, will begin on August 18th and run until on November 10th. Each of the four starting days (Days 1A, !B, 1C, 1D) will get be covered in two hour blocks running over four consecutive weeks. Day 2A and Day 2B will air on September 15th and 22nd. The remaining days of play will be covered over the course of one week. The Main Event final table will resume on November 7th with the Final Heads up match beginning on November 10th. ESPN will air a special two hour final episode the same day at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Source: WeDoItAllVegas. Vegas news site.
Wondering if anyone is planning on playing at this year's wsop?
I'd like to but don't know if I'm going to save up the money in time.
