Dr Nick's rural NPL tour of greatness

[nickno1]

Hi all, when I was told I'd be placed in Whyalla for five weeks, I was worried that my NPL addiction might have to take a back seat for five weeks, however I decided to take a chance and try my hand at the Whyalla NPL curcuit. I've only done two thus far at different venues, with varying results.

EYRE HOTEL - Sundays 7.30pm

I liked this venue. For those scoring at home, if you have played at the Woolshed when they used to play in the downstairs 'cavern' area, that is what it is similar to. It is terrific for poker with a small bar area for stamp-ups through play and drinks at a good price. ($6 bourbons I believe were the order of the day). Standard of play was great and everyone was very friendly especially no a city slicker that three weeks beforehand might have spelled the local pub the 'Air' Hotel - if not for local intervention. Apparently this was the first time that poker had been played in this section as it had been played in the front bar area previously, and I think that the underground area would be the better of the two - although I have no comparison to base this on. The TD is terrific, very knowledgeable and enthusiastic and unlike some city TDs actually allows 15 minute breaks to go for 15 minutes - not 25. One of my favouite NPl venues = 90% grading.

NEW WHYALLA - Tuesdays 7.30pm

Better in some respects, worse in others. The biggest plus this venue had was DRINKS! This place says a big "Screw You!" to Mr Rudd's premix crackdown as Slate stubbies and Smirnoff Black & Guarana cans were FOUR AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS! My hair almost turned a lighter shade of grey at the sight. Anyway, this venue was considerably more cramped than the Eyre and takes place in a front bar area, but it's not at all untidy and still enjoyable to play. However - one thing did annoy me. When a hand is in play and someone bets out of turn, the bet always stays, in every NPL tournament I've ever played this rule stands - except Whyalla. I was almost tossed out on my ample city posterior for suggesting that bets stand when they are out of turn, regardless of the ethics of it (it wasn't me that bet out of turn by the way). Is this a country rule, or just an oversight? Anyway, it didn't matter that much, it was just surprising. The TD was the same as the Eyre and was equally effective and the tournament was still enjoyable, albeit with the alternative rules...

Hopefully this rural sojourn continues and I can pick up a win.

[Nevah play JJ]

These write-ups are awesome!!

It is great to hear about other venues from an 'outsiders' perspective.

Goodluck with a win... and keep the reviews comming.

Did you get to meet other NPLSA forum users on the tours also?

[nickno1]

Didn't anybody else want to reply? haha

Oh well - and to answer the question there's nobody that even knows about the forum, ho hum.

new venue alert---

WEEROONA BAY FOOTBALL CLUB Thursdays 7.30pm

This venue I liked also. I have been impressed with the venues very much through my stay as the three I've been to have been very serviceable venues on par, or in some respects better than some in town. For those playing at home, this venue is very similar (no guesses why) to the Woodville/WT FC which runs on Friday nights, but is actually larger and drinks much cheaper - as has been the norm through my trip so far... Schnitzel excellent, beam cans $6 and a very happy chappy Nick was. Although I didn't get ANY wins whatsoever, couldn't even bluff a win but it was still a fun night. Interesting to see how people adapted to the "second card = $2000" change which lead to more tighter, obvious play, interesting to see if that rule stays...

anyway on my rating system i give the WBFC 80% Very Good.

any whyalla people care to comment?

[Nevah play JJ]

Awesome Nick.
How much longer are you on the road for?

Did you point the country users to the forums? It would be fantastic to hear from them.

Keep the reviews comming and stay safe on the roads.

[nickno1]

Hello, I should be there for two more weeks, so I hope to hit the Roopena FC and New Whyalla Tuesday then I've at least done everything - I might not come back so might as well have fun whle I can hey?
But for this weekend I'm in town so I reckon might hit the ol' Shennanigans on Saturday! yeehaa!

[Nevah play JJ]

Absolutely!
Good luck at Shennanigans

[nickno1]

And so like they say in the classics - all good things must come to an end. And while next week will be my last in Whyalla - I have completed my circuit of NPL venues and while I'll continue playing, this shall sadly be the final review since there's no venues left!

here we go...

ROOPENA FOOTBALL CLUB - Wednesdays 7.30pm start

From the outset - I was confused. Poor city slicker Nick found the venue fine, walked around the oval to find the licensed venue, noly for it to be behind BARD WIRE FENCING! And then I walked around the other side of the oval, completing a complete revolution, walking to the adjacent street and then walking all the way down again to the venue.

Total time getting to the club from home: 5 mins
Navigating to venue after arriving at club: 15 mins!

Stupid me. Anyway inside was awesome, one of the cleanest venues I've ever been to. The food was - as it has been at every venue fantastic. $10 for a schnitzel with bacon and cheese topping (4 stamps), and $7 beams (3 stamps). Value! Play was always, horrifying complete with dodgy calls and me flopping four of a kind and of course winning nothing because nobody would bet... such is life. Overall it was a great venue with a good little designated poker area, away from the dining area and not in a front bar area so it was ideal with a small bar for players. I approved.

Overall if anybody should find themselves in the Steel City I would rank the venues accordingly:

1. Eyre Hotel (Sun)
2. Roopena FC (Wed)
3. Weeroona Bay FC (Thur)
4. New Whyalla (Mon/Tues)

This is not a knock on the last two because they are fine too, if not a little cramped and pretty loud, but still miles ahead of some city venues... I have had fun with Whyalla NPL as the TD Peter is a great TD and does a great job, I have never had a problem here and the tournaments are run well and on time!

And that's the end of my journey. Cheers.

[Des]

Top work Nick... thanks for the reviews. Awesome!