Predictions For Poker in 2010

PREDICTION THREE: THE WSOP WILL EXPLODE IN 2010
Many thought that the WSOP was just riding a temporary wave of popularity driven by the faddish resurgence of poker in the US. Those people were proven wrong as the WSOP continued to expand in terms of influence, events and attendance (if not in Main Event field sizes). Part of the credit goes to Harrah’s, part to ESPN, but most to the poker community, which continues to reject all attempts to unseat a WSOP bracelet as the ultimate achievement in poker culture.

That community will form a strong base for WSOP 2010, and Harrah’s appears poised to capitalize on that base like never before. The company has clearly identified the WSOP as a flagship brand that will allow them not only access into new markets (both in terms of brick and mortar markets and the online arena), but a clear advantage over competitors. In existing markets, the WSOP provides Harrah’s with a unique property that no other casino can offer to players. That combination will give Harrah’s plenty of incentive to kick the WSOP into as high a gear as possible in 2010, as tougher competition for a dwindling pool of Vegas dollars and an impending entry into the online gambling arena forces the company to highlight the one asset that sets it apart from the pack: the WSOP.

Why? Viewing the property as its best chance to enter the online market from a position of strength and to differentiate itself from competitors on the Strip, Harrah’s will throw its full marketing muscle behind the WSOP, resulting in dramatic attendance spikes.

Also: The WPT will get a significant facelift in 2010. ChicagoJoey’s record of 50,000 hands in 24 hours with a profit will be broken. Doyle’s Room will make news by actually staying on the same network for the whole year. Phil Hellmuth will win a WSOP bracelet.

PREDICTION FOUR: NO US REGULATION IN 2010
2009 wasn’t a bad year for poker, legislatively speaking. Barney Frank’s efforts made some headway, the PPA displayed a growing lobbying muscle and an increasingly bleak economic picture led several states to consider regulation of various forms of online gambling.

That said, we don’t think regulation will become a reality in 2010. First, even if the stars were aligned for regulation in the US Federal government, the process of hammering out a system for regulation and taxation would take time – even determining the proper process for license application and review would be a negotiation that spread out over weeks, not days. Second, the stars aren’t aligned – online poker hasn’t been (and won’t be) able to carve itself out from other forms of online gambling that have serious opponents with serious influence, and it’s not so popular with the public at large that lawmakers are queuing up to support Frank’s efforts. Finally, the industry itself is deeply divided over the best path to regulation – or, truthfully, whether or not regulation is even a desirable path – and is unlikely to speak with one voice on the issue in the backrooms, even though they may present a united face to the public.

Why? There’s not enough time, there’s not enough momentum, and there’s a lack of cohesion within the industry that undermines the greater effort.

Also:Tom Dwan will win the durrrr Challenge. FTP will lower the rake on hyper-turbo HU SNGs. Someone over 30 will win the Main Event of the WSOP.

Our prediction for rakeback in the year 2010: it will still be awesome. Learn more about what rakeback is and why you shouldn’t be playing without it by clicking here.

Get your daily dose of poker news with the PTP Hit and Run.

Exclusive Freerolls and up to 45% cashback at Carbon Poker >>>

Prev 1 2Next