Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey have made it clear they're more focused than ever on winning bracelets these days.
So it was a surprise to see poker's "Big Three" take to Twitter yesterday to air some frustration with the 2013 WSOP schedule.
Negreanu got things rolling with a lament about the loss of some $10k Championships and game variations for the sake of multiple lower buy-in Hold'em events.
Ivey, Hellmuth and a variety of big-name pros quickly chimed in and took the WSOP to task for "focusing on numbers" and not "protecting WSOP history."
Fair dues? Check the tweets (and the WSOP's well-reasoned responses) below:
Something extremely sad to me about playing the ONLY stud tourney of the WSOP.The stud championship had amazing finals and now it is no more
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 13, 2013The WSOP never used to be so heavily focused on numbers. It was a festival of various poker games. The trend is disheartening.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 13, 2013The WSOP used to be a place where people learned new games but now they don't have to learn anything but NL holdem it's offered daily.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 13, 2013WSOP schedule was fantastic when we had 11 $10k championship events in all forms of poker yet still accommodated the big field NLH events.
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 13, 2013If that trend continues you will see guys like Ivey totally stop playing the WSOP and the prestige and brand weaken year by year
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) June 13, 2013I love the WSOP but agree with @realkidpoker about the schedule. We need to protect WSOP history and offer a balanced schedule
— Phil Ivey (@philivey) June 13, 2013Chiming in with complete agreement with @realkidpoker @phil_hellmuth and @philivey. Schedule needs change for health of game and brand.
— Scott Seiver (@scott_seiver) June 13, 2013Couldn't agree more @realkidpoker. I went from playing 25-30 events every year to 7 or 8 this year and last
— Daniel Alaei (@dalaei) June 13, 2013The #WSOP cannot be about Caesars Interactive making a billion dollars w their online poker site, it NEEDS to be FOR the players!
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) June 13, 2013I LOVE #WSOP!It's not about more Stud Hi events (2 is enough), rather its about balance, diversification, and $10K Championship events
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) June 13, 2013No offense @wsopsuitd and #WSOP staff, BUT we cannot have the schedule written by the execs, especially w/out having player council input
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) June 13, 2013My last word on #WSOP: they are doing a great job year-to-year, and I believe if they changed a mere 4 events from Hold'em, then perfect!
— phil_hellmuth (@phil_hellmuth) June 13, 2013Appreciate input 2night. Value from all sources. Proud to have 1000+ in PLO/8OB last 2 days. Variety core to WSOP as is hearing your POV.ty
— Ty Stewart (@wsopSUITd) June 13, 2013Appreciate the feedback and listening @phil_hellmuth . Always want specific suggestions from players and do best to put in motion.#lovestud
— Ty Stewart (@wsopSUITd) June 13, 2013@realkidpoker Agreed. Diversity foundation of WSOP. Mixed even in Oz. Will continue to refine offering + balance.
— Ty Stewart (@wsopSUITd) June 13, 2013@phil_hellmuth 100% agree on balance. We've got to bring new players in (who mostly want HE) and protect heritage of event to contest range
— Ty Stewart (@wsopSUITd) June 13, 2013@phil_hellmuth @realkidpoker - If we think poker economy can really handle a large number of 10k's; happy to see them return in 14.
— Ty Stewart (@wsopSUITd) June 13, 2013Visit www.pokerlistings.com