Lee Davy sits down with the multiple World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, Jeff Lisandro, to talk about his belief that the organizers of the event need to apply more effort if they want the atmosphere to return.
As I walk down the spectator route in the Amazon all that’s missing is tumbleweed. The Thunderdome is drowned in darkness, the $5,000 Eight-Handed event is getting down to business on my left, and the players in the $10,000 Stud Championship have gone for a break in the far right hand corner.
Jeff Lisandro is pacing back and fore. His trademark black hat, covering a face that looks a little narrower than it has done in previous years. His hands are in his pocket and he is looking pensive.
I introduce myself and ask him for an interview. He double-checks my organization.
“Calvin who?”
We past the taste test and get down to business.
“I haven’t played that many tournaments this year and I think that’s because I don’t feel like the atmosphere is here anymore.” Says a thoroughly pissed off looking Lisandro. “Look around…there are no spectators, and I think this is because the WSOP are not looking after them. There are not enough media here, and I think the whole hype is not accommodating enough, and it has affecting my motivation to play the tournaments.”
Lisandro started coming to this thing when Dominik Nitsche was swimming around in his father’s ball bag. I wondered if he has seen a gradual decrease in atmosphere, or is it just this year that concerns him?
“The poker has taken a dive, quite significantly, in the last three years. It’s mainly because the operating bodies – the casinos – aren’t giving enough back. They are taking the business for granted. Their marketing has been dismal, to say the least, they are not accommodating the media, or the players, and when the hype goes – so does the motivation of the players.”
He pauses and arcs his arms around his body, head twisting, and his eyes getting a panoramic view of what is a pretty lifeless Amazon Room.
“They are not accommodating the spectators. They should be asking them if they want a drink or something. This means a lot of players, who used to bring their wives and friends, are not doing that anymore because they are not being looked after in the audience.
“I would like them to do a little bit more to pull up the hype of this World Series a bit, because I’m looking at it now and it’s not a very good scenario for poker.”
I try and introduce a positive note by suggesting the Main Event will carry with it it’s usual buzz, but Lisandro’s lute keeps sending out dulcet tones.
“One thing that made the WSOP what it is – different to all other tournaments – is you have so many of these lead up events. It’s one place where you can play a Stud game for a decent prize pool and these games all lead up to the Main Event. Eventually, if you don’t put any effort into the lead up events, the Main Event might suffer.
“I hope they can see it. There was a situation where there wasn’t even food last night. It’s about players being comfortable, and lot of other things, and I think they are taking things for granted.
“Perhaps it’s a cost cutting thing? To the effect that when you cut more costs, less people feel like playing and the numbers drop down. I think they really need to have a look at how this thing is run because the crowds create the atmosphere and they have just dropped off.
“A lot of other casinos look at the WSOP, presume it’s well run, follow suit and run their tournaments in the same way. You have to look after the spectators…look after the crowds. Make money from them. Sure it’s a little extra work, but at the end of the day, light the place up.
“I mean, are you kidding me? Maybe they are not watching. Maybe they are not looking after their Golden Goose They better come in here and try to reclaim some of the atmosphere they had a few years ago.”
