WSOP 'November Nine' continues

ESPN reveal the delayed final table of World Series of Poker set to stay.

The American TV figures are in for the World Series of Poker and despite poker superstar Phil Ivey making it to the final nine, the ratings are practically identical to 2008 - a final table which consisted largely of unknowns. The 'November Nine' concept - which sees the final table of poker's biggest tournament delayed three months to enhance publicity around the finale - will remain though, as Doug White, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions, revealed. "I think it helps increase the hype. It allows us to tell stories", said White. "I just can't see how anybody who is actually at the event doesn't think this is good for poker and doesn't get goose bumps watching that. Do the poker purists like it? No, probably not. But I think people are starting to turn the corner ... and no one has been able to tell me how it's hurt the game." With the final table publicised so heavily in the US during the three-month hiatus between it's July tournament and November showdown, the game is arguably getting closer to sports fans than ever before. "This is part of everyone's effort to grow the sport. We're all trying our hardest to get these players out into the 'mainstream,' to become recognisable to sports fans," said White. Getting the balance right between opening poker's doors to the sporting public and avoiding alienating the game's current flock of players will be a key challenge for the poker industry in the coming years, but there can be no complaints about this year's final table, Joe Cada becoming the youngest ever winner at the age of 21.