Poker may not jump to mind as a spectator sport. However, the 39th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP), which began May 30, will draw more eyes than ever if Seth Palansky, director of communications, sports and entertainment, at Harrah's, which owns the event, has his way.

Harrah's got national buzz with its May 1 announcement that play at the final table of its $10,000 buy-in Main Event, the WSOP's centerpiece, will be delayed from July until November. This move will enable ...