Josh Arieh: "The break before the WSOP final table needs to be scrapped"

Discussions around the World Series don't die down even after it wraps up. The latest debate was kicked off by seven-bracelet winner Josh Arieh. The American regular called for scrapping the long break between the main body of the Main Event and the final table.
"The three-week break needs to be canceled. Yes, the Main Event is grueling and everyone is sleep-deprived, but that's part of the competition. Give everyone 3 days max to rest.

These guys come back as completely different players. As poker fans and spectators, we want to see crazy hands and weird stuff. When you give the finalists 3 weeks to prepare, the chance of gross mistakes drops dramatically."

Patrick Leonard jokingly suggested in the comments: "Give them 3 months!" Arieh appreciated it: "Lol, you're such a maniac. You just want other people to have an excuse to adopt your work ethic."

Many backed Arieh's position, noting that the multi-day grind has always been part of the WSOP. Poker player Hayley Hanna, for example, spoke in favor of shortening the break:
"3 weeks is definitely too long. I think one week would be enough. Enough time for players to rest a little, for their families and friends to fly in, and for people to make t-shirts and signs."

Faraz Jaka, on the other hand, argued for keeping the pause. He pointed out that players can't spend all three weeks preparing for the final table because of rest and media obligations:
"In reality they probably only have about a week for full-on preparation. Enough to sharpen up some spots, but not enough to become fundamentally different players. The break also gives them time to gather friends and family, build storylines in the media, attract sponsors, and, if they want, show up in a bird costume. I think there are only upsides here."

The The Card Counting account expressed the view that the break highlights the importance of preparation in poker for the general public:
"These 3 weeks are the best advertising poker has. They prove that players study poker rather than acting on intuition. The guys come back with rebuilt ranges, and it shows. Fewer gross mistakes, but more proof for everyone who still thinks card games depend only on luck."

And what do you think?
👍 — the break should stay
👎 — better to play without breaks

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