If the pros stop playing WPT, it might hurt the ratings! The "small guy makes a lucky run" underdog stories will always be entertaining, but some hard-cores might turn away if they don't see big names at the final tables. The increasing popularity and the fact that sites give away more travel and entry packages will increase the fields to the point that the pros will be hard pressed to win big in them, just like they are now in the WSOP Main Event.
As far as the too-fast blind increases goes, I think that's life. The online players are used to it, playing big-bet poker towards the end of tournaments. With the fields getting bigger, they have to keep the blinds going up quickly, or the tournaments would take 20 days to finish! |