while I agree with you completely here, Louis, it should be pointed out that the "warm up" is targeted at euro players and tends to get less US players, so the 6pm start is meant to be an "early" start.
I"d imagine the logic is that most people are out and tucked up in bed at a decent time with the 7pm start and its only those poor souls who have 4 figure cashes who only get a few hours sleep before work the next day