Jan. 31, 2004

Though we have so many ways to communicate in this new century, does it seem as if people are afraid to comment officially on anything today? And when comment does occur, does it seem to be cloudy and noncommittal?

Regarding the World Series of Poker for 2004, the picture is either rosy or gloomy depending on which news story you find, which gossip monger you prefer or which press release you can take as gospel. Additionally, no one sees to be providing a concise, official report.

For years, since Becky Binion Behnen sort of purchased the historic property from family, rumors began to fly. Everything from her competence to her husband's participation in management became questioned. Rumor became fueled by Mrs. Benhen's seemingly outrageous decisions such as refusing press credentials for her big tournament to supposed banning of high-profile players. Sale of the famed Horseshoe Million Dollar Display in late 1999 served as a catalyst for additional rumors.

Then truth prevailed when Las Vegas media reported delays in payment for health insurance for employees and nonpayment of monies owed to the IRS from employee payroll deductions.

Subsequently, all rumor halted when the casino was closed on Jan. 11, 2004, primarily for failure to satisfy $3 million debts owned to the Culinary union for employee benefits.

Even though the closure sent new waves of rumor, innuendo and questions into the atmosphere, the biggest question on the minds of players centered on the future of the World Series of Poker.

Next we find Harrah's Entertainment purchasing the downtown casino. That's fact. Then we hear they're not really interested in owning the aging building or even the business, that their main focus is the consolidation of the Horseshoe brand name, which they purchased in a separate deal in a separate state from a separate individual. Everyone assumed -‹ and probably rightly so -‹ that the casino giant would want to keep the prestigious poker tournament since there's so much interest in the game right now, but they didn't commit to that right away.

A couple of days later, Harrah's finds the light switch and the casino begins to look as if it has a future, only to wake up to the announcement that the building is under scrutiny for asbestos. (Most of the pre-1990s downtown probably have asbestos.)

And so it goes, one disappointment after another, one rumor after another, one innuendo after another.

It appears as if Harrah's has chosen to have Matt Savage run this year's 2004 event, or at least that's what Savage has to say on rec.gambling.poker where he announced he had a handshake agreement with the powers that be. But he also stated that the casino would have plenty of rooms available. Presumably those will be somewhere other than at the 'Shoe?

Also in the newsgroup Savage thinks the big tourney might attract more than 1,000 entrants and logistically he or his space isn't equipped to handle that many people for one event. They will split the first day of the championship so only half of the field will play on May 22 while the other half will start on May 23. Survivors from those two days will square off and do battle from the May 25 through to May 28 when the final table convenes.

So here it is, about 36 hours before the end of January 2004 and the future of the WSOP is still up in the air, sort of because www.pokerpages.com made a formal announcement that Harrah's did indeed hire Savage, although www.harrahs.com last issued a Web press release on Jan. 22 that updated the public on the purchase of the casino.

I and other poker fans are still surfing the Internet and checking the local newspapers looking for factual information about the World Series of Poker, something positive coming out of the Harrah's public relations department rather than from rumor pieced together from what may or may not be fact.

Will there be a series? Will it be held at Binion's downtown? Will it be moved to one of the Rio's convention rooms? Will ESPN be filming only the big event or will there be special changes and concessions for the TV crew? Will there be a DVD or video of the final table for sale in the future? Will Matt Savage run the tournament? Will there be any special notice of the 35th anniversary?

There's a lot more to wonder about besides a poker tournament here, including about 1,000 new members of the unemployment line and a huge number of non-union workers who gave up part of their salary to cover medical insurance and are now stuck with huge bills because the premiums were not paid. But that's commentary for some other writer.

If the tournament happens, and it's my opinion that it will definitely happen, the players will arrive. It would be nice if they knew where they will arrive, though. Maybe by the time this is posted a clear picture will emerge, in which case you can file this under finished business.