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Tonight kicks off ESPN coverage of the 2008 WSOP with the $10,000 buy-in pot-limit hold’em.

The table includes Andy Bloch, Phil Laak, Nenad Medic, Amit Makhija, Patrik Antonius, Mike Sowers and Chris Bell all going for their first wrist decoration. Kathy Liebert and Mike Sexton go for their second in the first World Championship event from 2008.
Action begins at 8 pm ET with the second episode starting at 9 pm ET. And tonight also marks the return of ESPN’s Lon McEachern and Norman Chad to the broadcast booth.

2008 World Series of Poker TV Schedule

July 22 — 8-10 p.m.
$10,000 pot-limit hold ‘em

July 29 — 8-10 p.m.
$1,500 no-limit hold ‘em

Aug. 5 — 8-10 p.m.
$5,000 mixed hold ‘em

Aug. 12 — 8-10 p.m.
$1,000 no-limit hold ‘em with rebuys

Aug. 19 — 8-10 p.m.
$50,000 HORSE

Aug. 26 — 8-10 p.m.
$10,000 pot-limit Omaha

Sept. 2 — 8-10 p.m.
$10,000 no-limit hold ‘em main event

Sept. 9 to Oct. 28 — 9-11 p.m.
$10,000 no-limit hold ‘em main event

Nov. 4 — 8-10 p.m.
WSOP main event final table preview show

Nov. 11 — 9-11 p.m.
WSOP main event final table


I really chilled out on following the WSOP online this year so I’m kind of looking forward to catching all the broadcasts. I’m mostly interested in how delaying the final table taping is going to play out. It’s interesting that a couple months ago there was some debate on the delay.

Most players can already envision the negatives of a 90-day delay. What if somebody is arrested or killed in that time? What if amateurs hire professional poker coaches to improve their game? While arguments like these are valid, I think they are overstated, and none of them outweigh the potentially huge benefits to the industry.

Some of these have turned out to be very valid concerns that have or almost became a reality. One such instance is when one of Andy Bloch MIT buddies was close to making the final table.

Andy Bloch was on hand to watch Tony Scherer, a friend from his MIT days. When asked if he had a piece of Scherer, Bloch grinned and answered “Not yet.” It turns out that Scherer has already approached Bloch about coaching him if he reaches the final table.”I know it’s premature, but would you up for some poker coaching for four months?” Scherer asked Bloch. Bloch said he would be available.

A second such instance is the news of David “Chino” Rheem having a warrant out for his arrest.

I tend to take a sit back and lets see what happens approach. What do you guys think?