When players take knowledge of the next World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Rio in Las Vegas, they immediately notice big changes. The number of starting chips which had been doubled in 2008 is tripled in 2009. In addition, the Tournament Director said several levels in the structure of the tournament. We talked with the Tournament Director Jack Effel, to learn more about the differences that can be expected this year in different tournaments which begin in just 2 months.

On the decision to triple the starting chips, he says: "even at 2 times the number of tokens, players do not feel that they had really more chips. Tripling the starting stacks and adding levels to the tournament, it will be different. For the tournament $ 1000 for example, start with a stack of 3000 chips. There will be several stages including blinds at 75-150 and blinds at 1200-2400. It will also be the case for the$ 1500 buy-in event. If you participate in the Main Event, you will have 30,000 tokens starting with several levels, all with a duration of 2 hours.

Effel says with deep stack tournaments: "it is a very competitive industry with deep stack tournaments." "However, it is very difficult to manage without understanding the math behind". The structure of the WSOP tournaments is played time-based. Tournaments are planned lasting between 8 and 10 hours per day for the first 2 days of tournament. Effel explains the importance of giving players time to games to the table: "It is important to give the players time for their money".

Given that the main tournament will begin with 30,000 jetonst, Effel expects that the tournament take over 2 levels ends or 4 hours more. He said: "I tried to give players more time to use their strategy and to make games. This will be an advantage for all players, both for the amateur and the pro". Last year, 6844 players participated in the tournament. For the first time, the final table will be postponed in November to create an additional passion. The event will be broadcast by ESPN.

The 2008 WSOP was marked by a particular incident involving Scotty Nguyen and Phil Hellmuth. Who won the HORSE tournament with a $ 50,000 buy-in had the air of a drunk man on the final table. Effel says: "our staff received extra training this year to strengthen the rules of conduct of the players." Employees will thus be less likely to interpret our code. Some times you think that behavior is acceptable when it is not. It is not always easy in all situations to apply our code of conduct to the letter. Obviously, we have learned from the past year".

Effel adds that Nguyen has received several warnings for its boufonneries at the final table of HORSE. However, he has not been penalized. He explains: "some of the things that he has said have not been heard by our staff. Unless the position of the dealer, you could not hear". This year, penalties or warnings will be given if there is place. For the first time this year, the staff will have with him a history of previous offences of all players.