A Guide to Multi-Table Main Event Sattys at the 2009 WSOP

Chris Grove : May 14th, 2009

While many people will come out to the WSOP* with their seat already in hand (either via online qualifier, local casino win or 10k in cash burning a hole in their pocket), the majority of players will come in via satellite. The multi-table satellite is more appealing to a number of players simply because it awards more seats and therefore seems to some to be a safer investment. The wisdom of that logic aside, WSOP MTT satellites are a great opportunity for experienced MTT satty players to get in on a tournament with a great expected value. To that end, we’ve put together an overview of the MTT sattys for the Main Event you’ll find running at the 2009 WSOP.

A couple of important notes on MTT, or ‘Mega’ sattys; In addition to the rake, all prize pools lose 3% to the staff. Also, MTT sattys (unlike STTs) appear to pay out in vouchers and not tournament chips – that’s according to the structure sheets provided by Harrah’s. This may change, so check with the floor before you enter a satty. Finally, all MTT sattys share the same structure, more or less – the bigger ones have a few extra levels added at the end.

The payout policy for these sattys: for every $10,200 in the prize pool (after rake and 3%) one seat is awarded. If the prize pool doesn’t get to $10,2000, the winner takes the entire prize pool. If there’s odd money left over, it all goes to the person finishing after the last seat winner.

We’ve copied the basic structure at the end of this article.

Below find the schedule Mega Satellites at the Rio and a couple thoughts from us on each, arranged by buy in. Note that not all sattys run throughout the series and that as the Main Event approaches, some sattys run more frequently.

$330 Mega Satty to Main Event
May 26th – June 30th
Sunday through Thursday 3pm

2000 chips
30 minute levels

This satellite is going to award one seat for about every 35 players or so. That’s not a terrible ratio, and the competition is likely to be soft. However, 2000 chips at this structure will make this a shove fest pretty early on. That might result in some near-bubble edges for those who are satty-savvy, but it also means you’ll need to bring plenty of the ol’ run good to compete for a seat.

$500+ 50 Mega Satty to Main Event
May 29th – June 30th
Friday / Saturday 3pm

July 1st – 5th
Friday / Saturday 10am and 4pm

4000 Chips
30 minute levels

The extra 2k in chips will make a big difference in these sattys, as you’re playing the same structure as the $330. Still, even with 4k, you’re likely to be looking at pretty thin stacks as the bubble approaches. One out of every 21 or so players will be awarded a seat here, and there’s no reason to believe that the extra $200 on the buy in will raise the bar for play quality. Plus, they’re weekend events, so you should get more casual players in anyhow, especially as the Main Event draws closer.

$1000+ 60 Mega Satty to Main Event
May 29th – June 30th
Daily 8pm

July 1st – 5th
Daily 1pm and 8pm

6000 Chips
30 minute levels

Better stacks, same structure, higher buy in – these are probably especially great bets on the days when $1500 events run, as people who go busto from those are likely to step into here, and a lot of the online grinders will be tied up in the $1500s as well. One in every 10.5 players move on

$1000+ 60 Mega TURBO Satty to Main Event
July 6th
8am

6000 Chips
10 minute levels

Nothing says ‘degen’ quite like attendance at a live, last-minute turbo satty … at 8 in the morning. Hard to say who’s going to show up for this one, but at 10 minute levels, it doesn’t really even matter that they’ve given you 6k in chips (you’ll likely be looking at a $400 big blind after about 30 hands or so).

$1500 + 70 Mega Satty to 40k event
May 26th, 27th
6pm

7500 Chips
30 minute levels

This one’s not for the Main Event, but if you’re into pure shot taking, you might want to check it out. Be warned: he satty itself will probably be a pretty tough field (likely one of if not the toughest), as it’s early on in the WSOP and for an event that will likely draw an insanely tough field itself.

Structure for WSOP MTT Mega Satellites

25/50
50/100
100/200
100/200/25
200/400/50
300/600/75
400/800/100
600/1200/100
800/1600/200
1000/2000/300
1500/3000/400
2k/4k/500
3k/6k/500
4k/8k/1k
6k/12k/1k
8k/16k/2k
10k/20k/3k
15k/30k/3k
20k/40k/5k
30k/60k/5k
40k/80k/10k
60k/120k/15k