Prize packs for 2009

[Matt Porter]

I think there should be some kind of prize for 2nd & 3rd, even if it's just something small. Sure the mega-game players will complain when they have their 20th hat, but I bet they'd rather have 20 than none. For the new/infrequent players, and for those who play week in, week out without ever getting better, they truly do appreciate getting a prize for finishing 3rd, no matter what it is, it gives them a sense of achievement. 3rd out of 40 or 50 is a real accomplishment & i believe they deserve to be rewarded.

I don't have an issue with dropping the prize for 3rd.. a lot of venues give nothing for 3rd and also if you give something for 3rd you may as well do the same for the rest of the final table.. none of those made it to headsup either.

12 months ago half our players wouldn't have known what the term heads-up meant. Let's remember that we are providing a service to inspire novice players as well. Let's not be greedy, they are 'token' prizes only, the venues provide the $$$ prizes, share the love around.

I would like to see a trophy for venue season leaders. I also think the current trophies are great. Good on NPL for coming up with a different trophy for every season.

[Scotty]

I think there should be some kind of prize for 2nd & 3rd, even if it's just something small. Sure the mega-game players will complain when they have their 20th hat, but I bet they'd rather have 20 than none.

No-one is really disputing this Matt; but the ideas that are being thrown about for items such as stubby holders etc make perfect sense in this instance. Most people would be happy with an NPL branded stubby holder for their first runner up place; and the rest, I assume, would much prefer having a gluttony of stubby holders at home as opposed to hats.

[Nevah play JJ]

This has been a really interesting discussion.

I guess it would be easy to say that most of the people that have had their input into what they would like to see for prize packs have already won an abundance of prizes. From personal experience I know I keep all my prizes in a box for later use.

Maybe some of us could take the initiative and talk to other players that do not come to the forums and ask their opinions? Would there be an issue with us doing that? I would happily volunteer.

Having said that, how awesome is it that NPL management listened and got those lunch freezer packs for us to use! They are great!

Personally, I don't mind the trophies, but they are just in the end, dust collectors, but the way they are changed from season to season is the no doubt fiddley, but good.

To be honest, the only thing I would truly love to see the end of is those DVD's. Even to this day they hunt final table players. lol

The one and only thing I can say is, it would be really nice to see the venue leaders at the end of each season receive some form of recognition for the efforts put in during the season.

It can be quite maddening that they might not have a single win, but have put in a really consistant effort to gain the top spot only to get snubbed when the season ends.

But I would be interested to hear your thoughts on us "polling" non-forum members.

[Des]

I think its been said many times... an end of season prize is up to the venue to decide if they want one.

The Semaphore Palais has cash prize for the top 2 or 3 on their leaderboard. I would love other venues to do the same. Even a venue voucher or laminated certificate would be great too.

[krunchie]

Im of the belief of spreading the love around to increase the popularity of poker and increase the players at each venue.

If you play well enough and get in the top 3 you will win a venue voucher, that is what is worth the most really and a lot more usefull than a plastic trophy to collect dust.
Trophies and nick nacks realy only have value to those who win it the first time so have the nick nacks for 4th through 8 etc or even first out for encoragement.
Even for 4 of a kind or head hunter prizes or encoragement awards for the more novice players on a good result.
I belive these prizes should be used to encorage and grow our "sport" not reward the guys that dont realy need it ( thats us guys) as we already have 5 dvds each.


In regards to alex's points system to reedeem for prizes i think it is a great idea, that can be taken further.

instead of having tokens that can be swaped, stollen etc and create the problems Brett mentioned for fraud and collusion.
Have the whole thing internet account based

so when you win a venue or final table etc your account at npl gets credited with points, over time these points build up and when your happy with your amount of points you reedeem them at the NPL online shop and your prizes get sent out to you. To me this would lower the risk that the npl was worried about.

[bennymacca]

I think its been said many times... an end of season prize is up to the venue to decide if they want one.

The Semaphore Palais has cash prize for the top 2 or 3 on their leaderboard. I would love other venues to do the same. Even a venue voucher or laminated certificate would be great too.

what would be wrong with a trophy similar to the weekly trophy to be given for the best player in the venue at the end of each season? or maybe a slightly different trophy?

why should it be up to venues to provide an end of season prize? i am not talking about cash prizes, more like a trophy.

or what about a perpetual shield that the person get's their name engraved into, and they get to keep it at their house for a season?

[bennymacca]

Have the whole thing internet account based

i like this idea, it would stop a lot of the things that garth mentioned as potential drawbacks of such a scheme.

wouldn't be that hard to manage as well - it is essentially similar to the player of the week where people are awarded prizes (tourney tickets) depending on how many points they accumulate

[krunchie]

[
or what about a perpetual shield that the person get's their name engraved into, and they get to keep it at their house for a season?

I reciprocate on the idea liking benny the cunt

I think the perpetual shield for each venue idea is great, this imortalises a players great season, and may be a good carrot for the poker nuts guys out there, to show they are good players while letting the smaller prizes be used to promote and reward the beginners.

[Des]

I love the idea too, dont get me wrong.

But how much do you really want the NPL to give back in prizes during the season because at some point it will affect the 25k given away at state finals.

[bennymacca]

you are right, but a shield is a one off investment (plus engraving costs), for each game.

but they could easily drop the card protectors for first, and just have a trophy, and then use that money for an end of season prize instead.