A terrific analysis in a 2+2 post of the starting chips and structures of a $1.5k WSOP compared to Venetian and Caesar’s Deepstack tourneys this summer.

There are four mid priced series going on during the summer, but the structure for the Bellagio Cup III is impossible to find, so I will compare the other three series:

World Series of Poker $1500
Venetian Deepstack $1060
Venetian Deepstack $540
Caesar’s Megastack $540

First off, I would like to note that the Venetian has auto shufflers, so you should be getting in more hands on those events. This increases their value, but I am not directly taking it into account.

Starting Chips

WSOP $1500 - 3,000
Deepstack $1060 - 10,000
Deepstack $540 - 10,000
Megastack $540 - 15,000

You get less starting chips with the WSOP, so you won’t be starting out deepstacked.

BB vs Starting stack

Starting level

WSOP $1500 - 60
Deepstack $1060 - 200
Deepstack $540 - 200
Megastack $540 - 300

Again the WSOP does not offer deep stacked play. The Megastack starts incredibly deepstacked.

Four hours in

WSOP $1500 - 15
Deepstack $1060 - 50
Deepstack $540 - 16.66
Megastack $540 - 25

The $1060 remains deep, while the remaining tournaments start dropping.

Eight hours in

WSOP $1500 - 3.75
Deepstack $1060 - 8.33
Deepstack $540 - 2.5
Megastack $540 - 5

The WSOP $1500 is now actually deeper then the $540 Deepstack and is gaining on the other events. The $1060 Deepstack is looking to have great value.

Twelve hours in

WSOP $1500 - 1.5
Deepstack $1060 - 2.5
Deepstack $540 - .33
Megastack $540 - 1.25

The $540 events are showing the disadvantages of faster levels. They have swung from very deep to very very shallow.

Fifteen hours in

WSOP $1500 - .500
Deepstack $1060 - .833
Deepstack $540 - .0625
Megastack $540 - .375

The $540s should be over, or close to over at this point.

Overall

I think I wanted to highlight in this thread what I believe the strength of longer blind levels as opposed to just giving you more chips. The Megastack started the deepest event, but by the end of the tournament it became one of the shortest structures. The first level of this series is going to be like torture playing 300bbs deep with no antes.

The WSOP actually redeems itself once the money is reached. Day 2 of the $1500 events will be must more pleasant because of this, and actually allow some good play at this point. This is at the cost of less play during the first 8 levels.

The $1060 Deepstacks overall have the best structure as shown. The Venetian is really giving players a good tournament here.

Tags: Bellagio Cup III, Las Vegas, live poker tournaments, poker, Venetian Deepstack, WSOP

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