In an interesting footnote to this year’s World Series of Poker main event finale (see previous reports), media reports have acknowledged the key role played by technical support teams deployed by at least one of the three top finalists, winner Martin Jacobson and runners up Felix Stephsen and Jorryt Van Hoof.
In Van Hoof’s case the team worked feverishly in the background, studying data, spreadsheets and especially the half-hour delayed live feed of the action on ESPN that showed each player’s hands, enabling them to assess opposition player tactics and advise the Dutch player during breaks.
To avoid information overload, the team had to decide how much and what information to give the player during the breaks, which certainly worked for Van Hoof; he led the chip counts for much of the action, although he ultimately finished third.
Tournament director Ty Stewart confirmed the value to players of their technical support teams, saying:
“To me, it’s a higher form of poker as long as everyone has equal access. Guys had their offensive and defensive coordinators with them … that’s great in the modern era.”
The slew of media reports on the big event also emphasised the fact that this year was the first time that there were no Americans among the final three players, with some suggesting that the traditional US political antipathy to internet poker may have prejudiced US hopes.
All three European finalists were accomplished internet players who had continually honed their playing skills in that medium thanks to more enlightened political and legal attitudes toward internet gambling in Europe, some journalists suggested.