Thomas:
Do you have or can you point us to something that will provide the basis for/history behind this rule? I think it would be help our understanding if we had something that explains the why and wherefore this rule was adopted. As it stands, the only thing I can think of as a basis would be the HUGE number of dealers needed for the WSOP and the fact that getting anywhere near that number of experienced dealers has to be really, really difficult. Assuming you are stuck with 'the best you can get', I would expect this rule MAY have been adopted to put the responsibility on the player.
Nick said something in a prior post about the PGA and players being responsible for an accurate scorecard. I know for a fact that at least once a year a PGA player is disqualified because they turned in an incorrect SIGNED scorecard. The PGA makes the player 100% responsible, no ifs, no ands and no buts. If the card is wrong and you signed it and turned it in, you are disqualified PERIOD. Harsh, yes, but the PGA expects a level of professionalism and holds to that.
I think it is harsh to expect that high level of professionalism/experience for the HUGE number of players now involved with the WSOP. However, if you are going to participate, then it is your responsibility to know the "rules of the game". As is often said, Ignorance is no excuse. So, while I think the rule harsh, I think I can understand it. Would I adopt it for events I run, probably not. But I don't run events that get thousands of players.