NPL needs an overhaul

[Garth Kay]

Mechanics of these promotions will be discussed at a later date.

The Player of the week, will be more metro centric as they have a lot more games to choose from and the ability to play more than three games in a week.

[Nathan Butler]

I honestly don't mind any of the proposed changes. They would certainly be greatly appreciated by our current members and possibly even attract a few new comers to our league, That being said...

Three blind levels with an extra 5 minutes (15 total) plus an extra 500 chip per player would extend the tournament by roughly up to an hour (give or take)

Current systems such as the bad beat tables would be become redundant at venues that average less than 60 sometimes barely have a full table by the break as it is.

Attrition rate would generally be the same as the current system however that would attrition rate would become even only later in the tournament as the blinds increase.

The only concern i would have as a staff member is the re-numeration for that extra time. We are payed a flat wage for each TD/TA shift.

Events that start at 7:30pm would cease at 11:30 (rather than 10:30)
Events that start at 10:30pm would cease at 2:30-3:00 (2:00-2:30)
Events that start at 2:00am would cease at 5:30 (4:30-5:00)

Its all well and good but over week it is a fair increase in our work load, not to mention the staff would require slightly larger kits to run the events.

I do like the idea put forth but for me to support such change i would like to see a reasonable pay increase.

At the last senior staff meeting i put the idea forward that late night time slots (such as 10:30 games which run well into the AM) should have a higher rate of pay, this idea is currently under review. If the tournament were to extend i also do believe the staff should be payed the in par the longest possible time frame of an event rather than he average time frame of an event.

just some pro's and con's i have thought about. As i said i like the idea of extended blinds and slightly larger stack. I also like the idea of money cash in my pocket so i am happy either way.

Regards

Nathan Butler

[AceLosesKing]

The Player of the week, will be more metro centric as they have a lot more games to choose from and the ability to play more than three games in a week.

I thought it'd be something like that. Although we can still play 4 games a week here in the B&G (6 if you count Nurioopta and Tanunda), I see your point.

[Brett Kay]

The way i have seen NPL tournaments is as a reverse Cannonball turbo.

Cannon ball tournaments, are shortened blinds at the beginning, and then after the first break are relaxed So that there is that time to play. But all the necessity in the beginning is to accumulate chips.

Turbos as the name implies, means they are short blind levels.

Think the best way is to analyse the tournament into its respective levels.

You have the beginning, small blind levels, lot of play to accumulate chips. Currently 2 blind levels total 40 minutes and a 15 to 20 min break

You have the middle, where strategic play comes into it. Currently 3 blinds at 15 min. and another 15 to 20 minute break

Then the end game, where We are trying to get to a winner. Roughly 6 levels at 10 minutes.

Changing the chip stacks by 500, will pretty much add on an extra blind level at the end. So possibly another 10-20 minutes for staff.

Changing blind lengths to a uniform 15 minutes. Means less time to play at the beginning, but more time at the end. Doesn't really solve the problem. We are trying to give more time to the mid game so mistakes aren't felt as bad.

Adding in extra blind levels Say 75/150 and also a 400/800. Adds extra half hour into the game. Gives even more play at the beginning, adds more into the middle, but means staff are working longer.

Other options, Increase the value of the stamp card. 1500 instead of the 1000. Means players will support the venue. Gives more of a return. Adds an extra 15 to 30 minutes to the total game time.

As you can see, having a tournament all set up and done in three hours, is great for players. But our staff are usually there an hour before rego for setup. Plus travel time also. So there are a few guys where all of a sudden they are up to the 3 hours game time, plus the 2 hours for rego and setup and another hour travel time. 6 hours.

If we round up to 6 and half hrs. What rate of pay would you expect to recieve?
15? $90
18? $117
20? $130

Now thinking that a lot of our staff, this is their only job. Doing 5 to 6 nights a week. Rent and bills, petrol for travelling e.t.c

15? 450-540
18? 585-702
20? 650-780
Gross pay. Doesn't look too good when they lose 20% to tax.

It honestly becomes easier for them, to find a new job. And we lose what makes NPL so good. Good staff.


Honestly i think adding in a 75/150 level and making the first blind levels all 15 minutes. Only adds an extra 5 minutes to overall game time.

Or even, adding in the 400/800 level, and changing the first two levels. And having three levels before the first break.
Is probably the best for the poker way.

However as it stands that currently it is the best entertainment way for those people that come out, play for an hour or two, then go home.

If i am going out to poker, i usually start at 6.30, get my meal and drink, last to the first break, then am out of there by around 9 - 9.30.

Another long rambling post from the mind of
Brett.

[bennymacca]

its 7 times a week AK

Mon: Vine
Tues: Tan
Wed: Willo, Brauhaus
Thurs: Kinger
Fri: Kinger
Sun: Kapunda
Sun: Willo

but yeah, prolly still a metro-centric thing, as we only get around 50 or a bit less at our venues

we have the regionals which is wicked for our region, so no complaints here.

i am guessing its a total points for the week sort of setup?

[torch]

Other options, Increase the value of the stamp card. 1500 instead of the 1000. Means players will support the venue. Gives more of a return. Adds an extra 15 to 30 minutes to the total game time.
Brett.

I think giving a higher value of stamped cards is a great idea, supports punters that supports the venues.

[Matt Porter]

I'm pretty sure there was a 400/800 blind when NPL first started, but it was removed because it added a lot more than 15 minutes to the game duration. I agree with Brett though, we could make the first 3 levels 15 minutes each, then shorten the first break to 10 minutes.

[rcon]

Honestly i think adding in a 75/150 level and making the first blind levels all 15 minutes. Only adds an extra 5 minutes to overall game time.

Or even, adding in the 400/800 level, and changing the first two levels. And having three levels before the first break.
Is probably the best for the poker way.

I really like these ideas, but what about a 3000/6000 level too? My personal frustration is those middle levels where you might have a good stack, but you can't afford to lose ANY hand where you've called ANY raise. You CAN afford to lose a hand at any level below 200/400 usually.

However as it stands that currently it is the best entertainment way for those people that come out, play for an hour or two, then go home.

HEAR HEAR!

I'll often make a long call if I've had a decent night already, there is a big pot to be won and I'm getting short(ish) stacked. You are purchasing entertainment, not only a poker tournament!

[torch]

I agree with Brett though, we could make the first 3 levels 15 minutes each, then shorten the first break to 10 minutes.

If 10 mins is long enough for you workers to change the chips etc, I think its a great idea, 10 mins is plenty long enough to go to toilet get another drink and have a smoke!!!

[Garth Kay]

We also have to consider the reduction in gaming revenue for venues if we decrease the break time.