Organizers of the World Series of Poker have changed the rules and split up the tournament into two parts, with each one being months a part from the other. The net result is that the integrity of the event being called into question, all at the expense of the possibility of greater sponsorship dollars.

    Consider the possible implications:

    – Players get coaching. If a rank amateur manages to get through to the final table, then, if they have any sense, they will employ a top player to coach them for the next four months. Even if this means giving away 10 percent of their final table purse, this will be good value for them.

    This effectively means that the nine sitting down in November will have a completely different skill level to the nine that would have sat down in July. Is this fair to the more skilful players?