Thursday, June 5, 2008

WSOP

With all of the new changes to the WSOP this year, many will be pleased to know that the Code of Conduct has been revised. Some of the new regulations seem to be a bit on the extreme side for my taste.
I do welcome the changes to the "show one, show both" rule. Players will no longer have to disclose a second card, should he feel the need to display one. Additionally, I am IN LOVE with Rule #36 which states that "excessive celebration through extend theatrics, inappropriate behavior, or physical actions...may be subject to penalty." It's about time! No one likes a Braggadocio's, especially if they've just taken all of your money. It's enough to lose thousands of dollars. The last thing you need is some yuppy rubbing it in your face.
The cellphone usage rule is fair. No cellphone at the table. Why should that have even been a question? Speaking from experience, the only purpose a cell phone serves in a poker game is to cheat. We had a game here the other night, and two of the players were constantly receiving text messages during the game from another player that had gone out. I asked them to leave after they refused to turn them off.
Rule #43 is what really gets me. The commission for the most part has eradicated the prohibition of clothing that displays a dot com reference. Awesome. However, for online poker sites that accept U.S. business, mainly Fulltilt and PokerStars, they are only permitted to display a dot net logo. First of all, that makes no sense to me. I can't see how a dot net logo would deter one from visiting an online poker room more than a dot com would. But moreover, why are these business not allowed to advertise on the players that they are financing in the tournament? Because of the UIGEA? If this is so, how is it that players from these sites are permitted to play in the WSOP in the first place?
In short, kudos to the commission this year, for the most part, but stop catering those with moral objections to the game. They're not watching.

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