There is no question that commercialism and poker have become bedfellows over the years, but one question that could still be asked is, "Has the World Series of Poker stopped being "pure" poker?"
In the days of yore poker was the game of rough and tumble men, played in dangerous times and in dangerous places. There was an air of roughness about the game, where talbes were typically wreathed with smoke and cutthroat wasn't always just an expression.
Now poker is played in every venue one could imagine, and is even a favorite way for charities to raise money. Does the marginalization of poker's edgier side mean the game is any less pure? It wouldn't seem so, as the game isn't about who the meanest, toughest hombre is but rather the best player, and that can be determined simply by playing the game. But what about the WSOP?
When the World Series of Poker got started, Benny Binion was going for something big, sure, but he was also trying to drum up business. From the word go the WSOP was marketed hard to get the word out, an effort that has only ramped up as the series has aged. Today the WSOP has an official everything - chocolate, beer, playing cards, rental cars, you name it - that makes one wonder if the commercialization of the game has corrupted its purity.
But then, think about what it means to be a WSOP winner. Not just the main event, but any WSOP event - when players are examined as to their skill, putting "holder of x WSOP bracelets" after their name is a badge of honor. It still means that that player is one of the best around, holding up the purpose of competition poker in the first place. So, it would seem that, despite all the commercialization, the game of poker as played at the WSOP is as pure as it ever was.
Contact usTerms and ConditionsCopyright © 2004-2009 LaunchPoker. All rights reserved
