WSOP to auction off final table, more...

[Wedge Rock]

Not mine, but definitely a "commercial sale"...

Las Vegas, NV – November 10, 2008 – XP Events and The World Series of Poker (WSOP) have announced a
first-of-its-kind auction for authentic memorabilia from the Final Table of the 2008 WSOP Main Event being
held this month in Las Vegas. Auction items include the poker table that will be used by the finalists vying for
$32 million in prize money. Other auction items include other authentic items used during the 2008 Main Event
and Final Table, including decks of cards, dealer button, table felts, signage and more. The auction will be
conducted online at www.WSOPshop.com beginning November 11, 2008 at 9:00 pm ET and the auction will
close on November 24, 2008.

http://stores.xpapparel.com/wsop/press.pdf

If you click on the auction link from WSOPshop.com, it takes you the eBay. 

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/world-series-of-poker

Standard dealer pucks start at $100.

Decks of cards start at $100.

Milwaukee's Best neon signs start at $150.

[Martini]

Also up for sale to the highest bidder:

* Branding rights for any exposed surface at the WSOP - get your official WSOP/ESPN/Milwaukee's Best Light/Planter's black electician's tape. Perfect for covering up the names of companies which haven't given any money to the WSOP.
* Decades of tradition - Any company that wants to pay enough money can do something like introduce "Poker Peek" cards into the game.
* Dignity of the event - Let's let bozos make spectacles of themselves, offend other players, and disgrace the game because it makes for better TV.
* Integrity of the game - When there are "superstar calls" in poker like when Hellmuth gets his penalty repealed then you know for sure that the WSOP has sold out.
* Organizers' souls, first born children, or whatever else is available - nothing is off the table when it comes to trying to squeeze every last cent of revenue out of the WSOP.

Hurry. Everything is going fast!

OK, cynical rant is over. I have no problem with letting enthusiasts get a crack at used equipment but how about auctioning stuff off for charity instead? Or like giving stuff away as door prizes to people who showed up to watch? This just reeks of over-commercialization and corporate greed rather than a true gesture of letting poker fans own a piece of history.

[pathand]

This just reeks of over-commercialization and corporate greed rather than a true gesture of letting poker fans own a piece of history.

I agree. This is really over the top. The Rio must be desperate or their format change was a bust. Or both. I haven't seen the numbers yet, but I'm hoping that they're bad enough to force the organizers to quit trying to make the WSOP a sponsors' bonanza. The Rio and ESPN have become the biggest poker pimps around, IMO.

[Martini]

I give the Rio a pass on this stuff. I liked them back when they were an independent and now they are just a victim of circumstance since Harrah's acquired them. They are mentioned in telecasts but IMO not excessively since they are the host venue. Nor do I see what I would consider over the top branding. But then again I'm an old school Rio fan from back in the day so my bias might be coloring my perception.

[pathand]

I give the Rio a pass on this stuff. I liked them back when they were an independent and now they are just a victim of circumstance since Harrah's acquired them. They are mentioned in telecasts but IMO not excessively since they are the host venue. Nor do I see what I would consider over the top branding. But then again I'm an old school Rio fan from back in the day so my bias might be coloring my perception.

You are correct. I should have pointed the finger at Harrahs, not The Rio. I'm sure your perception about the Rio is right on the mark. I was frustrated with the dog and pony show that poker is becoming. My apologies to the Rio faithful.

[HarveyWallbanger]

i liked your rant, martini....lol.

now i want to know who the people are bidding on that dealer button.  over $150 for a regular plastic $2 button like the dozen i have at home?  with 8 days to go?!  wtf.

[Wedge Rock]

One year, they had WSOP/Rio/Milwaukee's Best dealer buttons...  at least that would be a conversation piece...  But I have a half dozen of those pucks in my basement...  They look exactly the same except for the cert. of auth.  If I could get $150 for them....

brb...

[Midnight Rose]

The WSOP is selling has sold its soul.

[FSL009]

Lets face it Harrahs major brand is Ceasers and evetually they will move it there.  If you ever notice the TV flash after every commercial has Ceasers front and square for all to see.

The only issue with Ceasers is where do you run it (what room).  i am sure they have one, but at least the Rio's room is set up very well these days.

i think they sold everything cause it would make sense to sell a $3000 dollar table for 25K if you can.  then build another one next year and sell that as well...

the cards were just over the top by a long way.