Add Los Angeles sportscaster and poker expert Fred Wallin to the list of poker pundits who are in favor of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) changing its format for the Main Event, so there will be a four-month lag between the final table being set and being played.

In an exclusive interview with PokerHelper.com, Wallin, who has hosted numerous radio shows about poker on the Business Talk Radio Network and elsewhere, said the format change will bring added publicity to the Main Event, and that’s all that matters.

“The WSOP moving its final table to November can’t be a bad thing, as it can only bring more attention to the event,” Wallin said. “The players who are fortunate enough to reach the final nine will be interviewed by every media outlet, both nationally and internationally. I’m actually a bit surprised it took ESPN and the WSOP so long to come up with this means of gaining added exposure. =A0 “Since the ridiculous Federal law=A0(the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act or UIGEA) about credit card companies not being able to send your money and mine to off-shore gambling sites, poker and other wagering has taken a hit,” he said. “There were fewer contestants in Vegas at the WSOP in 2007 than in 2006, because there were fewer contests to get there on the Web. Poker needed a push and this will help. =A0 “Can you imagine a major championship fight not being hyped for months and months? This will be the same thing. ESPN and the WSOP only hope that among the nine finalists are some well-known names, as that would add to the audience interest. And finally, live is always better than tape, unless the players take forever to make their decisions. I’m sure there will be some kind of clock for the finals.”

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.) =A0