Flynn & Ollie miss hearing about hand histories, character descriptions, trip reports, and room reviews. Flynn’s favorite past time (drinking at a poker table) has been sidelined for the good of the humans. As the weeks march on, more and more people are speculating on the fate of live poker; in both remote card rooms as well as the mecca-that-is-Vegas.
Each opinion we read convinces us they may be right. We read an opposing opinion, and it may be right too. It is a difficult topic to predict, as there are a hundred factors involved. So, let’s put it out there and see how we stack up against our faithful readers.
The Chronicle’s predictions:
1. Will the WSOP run this year? No. If it does, it will be delayed until mid/late June and run fewer tournaments. The number of players will be drastically reduced. It will be sad.
2. Will brick and mortar poker rooms come back with a vengeance when this is over (back to normal or above normal # of players in cash games and/or tournaments) by January 2021? Our answer: No. (With the caveat there may be a very short rush the first week of opening for any card-room. It will dial back to below norm after that.)
3. How many poker rooms on the LV Strip will not re-open at all? Answer: three (3) is Flynn’s prediction. WAG : Likely to be Excalibur, Bally’s, and one other to be determined.
4. How many poker rooms not on the Strip in the Vegas-Summerlin-Henderson area will not re-open? Answer: three (3) as well. Flynn says Westgate, Sam’s Town and TBD are on his at-risk list.
5. Casinos with poker rooms and just card-rooms in other states: Those without competition, and decently established poker rooms (ex: HardRockHolly) will remain open and do just fine after Jan 2021. Ergo, they will not be closing even if business is down until the next year.
That’s what we got this morning. We might change our minds in a week or by this afternoon, because we can. Either way, the Chron is taking wagers on our predictions. After all, we are degens and have to bet on something. Hit us up on Twitter or on this site.
Fin
Flynn