888PL Update - player thoughts and feedback required

[666HARPS666]

Thanks Sir ,

will do mate

Have a great holiday

[pmk]

1) Dream Team Final
There are inherent inequalities in the Dream Team LEADERBOARD that have not been addressed (I doubt they will as they've been thrown in the too hard basket) but this topic has been covered adequately in other threads. )

I don't care about the DT-anything because there is no possible way that I can achieve anything there due to the inequalities.

2) Quarter Finals
Can anyone outside of a region play in these?

4) Crown Casino
Never played a large tourney at the Crown. If they are the best venue for the job then go for it. Make it happen with accom & travel packages.

5) Prize Packs
There's new prize packs? lol I haven't seen the new prize packs only heard that there is something new. But what's in them apart from a trophy I have no idea. Dakota says he's got another 10 weeks supply of the old ones still left etc.

The problem with the prize packs is that they're too repetitive. I've mentioned this before but I was shot down in flames (as most of my ideas are) so what you've suggested seems to address this and provide some incentive.

Collectible card protectors for first place (not those silly shield things) might work. You could consider the creation of several series of them, perhaps even ask for design submissions (make it a comp) from players.

6) Saturday Home Games
I only discovered these by accident (as with a number of news items with 888PL) and as I'm in need of a new venue/something to do on Saturday nights (sick of continuously, violently aggressive people who don't get banned and ..... perhaps not the thread for it), I'll be certainly playing these.

7) Poker Schools
I've raised this topic before and was crucified for it, but seeing as you did ask...

Player education seminars/games where a person(s) of a reasonable skill levels share their skills with the general player populous. Educate people to the beauty of the mathematics. Educate your players to the elegant duplicity of bluff strategies etc. etc. etc.

I know you slammed this idea, Garth, because it wasn't financially viable due to the consultant rates you charge but they don't have to be run by you. There are a number of other options ranging from sweet talking some pro to some of your more proficient TCs. Anyone with some poker skill looking to put something back into the poker community to raise standards of play.

The catch cry that covers all things from bad play to bad etiquette is "Who cares. It's freeroll/pub poker". I know these schools won't remove that mentality completely but it will address one of underlying reasons, i.e. lack of knowledge.

I know you're going to bring out the old chestnuts of "it's not financially viable" or "it's up to the player to educate themselves" but that's like a timber company saying "the trees will plant and grow themselves"....

Something like this would help the industry but I suppose if you wanted to do this then I'm sure you will find a way.

8) Deepstacks Deepstacks Deepstacks
I know you're starting a "Mega" deep stack @ WAFC which is an awesome idea and about time (another one of my suggestions that was shot down in flames).

Please Sir, may we have some more? I'm all for deep stack buyins ($20-$50). The one's I've played for other leagues have been great and very enjoyable. The fund raiser a few months ago for the Salisbury Sports Club is a great example. It was a great night. Same with the recent deep stack @ the Somerset. These events are profitable for the venues so can we see more of them please?

They don't necessarily have to be each week, perhaps every two or three weeks. And because the leaderboards don't matter so much now they don't have to be for points.

9) Berry-esk Weekends
I know there's trouble finding a venue willing to take a gamble on getting the numbers but the Berry weekend appeared to be a success for the venue so one could hold that up as a proof of concept when trying to sell the idea to a new venue. I'm sure there's at least one venue in SA or Vic who'd host it (outside the CBD).

As you keep re-iterating 95% of players only care about the social aspects and these weekends away are a great social gathering.

10) Bring Back Fun into Poker
I was only discussing this very topic this afternoon with a friend. As mentioned previously I'm ditching my long standing venue (probably only missed a handful of Sat nights over the last two or so years) because it's no longer fun. Same with Parahills.

Last night I had a great game with Russ, Jo, Larx, Mark and some other randoms. Just playing poker with a good set of players (who are better) is far more enjoyable than winning against bad players. And the value added bonus is I learn from them.

[madali]

[b]7) Poker Schools
I've raised this topic before and was crucified for it, but seeing as you did ask...

Player education seminars/games where a person(s) of a reasonable skill levels share their skills with the general player populous. Educate people to the beauty of the mathematics. Educate your players to the elegant duplicity of bluff strategies etc. etc. etc.

I know you slammed this idea, Garth, because it wasn't financially viable due to the consultant rates you charge but they don't have to be run by you. There are a number of other options ranging from sweet talking some pro to some of your more proficient TCs. Anyone with some poker skill looking to put something back into the poker community to raise standards of play.

The catch cry that covers all things from bad play to bad etiquette is "Who cares. It's freeroll/pub poker". I know these schools won't remove that mentality completely but it will address one of underlying reasons, i.e. lack of knowledge.

I know you're going to bring out the old chestnuts of "it's not financially viable" or "it's up to the player to educate themselves" but that's like a timber company saying "the trees will plant and grow themselves"....

Something like this would help the industry but I suppose if you wanted to do this then I'm sure you will find a way.

.

I really like this idea but mainly just the basics of poker. At an in venue game recently we had a player sat out for rabbiting. This player is quite new
( has been playing 1 season) but one of the most honest people I know. When I spoke to her later she admitted that even though it was announced at the beginning of the game no rabbiting or going through the muck she had no idea what these meant but was too embarrassed to ask. I am sure she is not the only person that does not understand some of the poker terminology which is regularly used . Maybe a small booklet handed out to all players with hand rankings, common poker terms and general etiquette and rules would be good. Perhaps you could even subsidize this with Advertising from poker coaches or training sites and even the forum included in the booklet so that players who did want to take the next step with there poker would be pointed in the right direction.

[BigPete33]

I'm shocked the person actualy listened (or was able to listen) to that being said.

Well done to them.


intro speeches have fast become a complete joke, not only is nobody listening but the TC is usually just trying to get through it as fast as they can, not really caring if anyone can actually make out what is being said. If it's Vinnie, no chance of understanding it anyway - we'd need the same machine Stephen Hawking uses

That probably goes a long way to being a big reason why most players seem to have NFI about anything coming up, but it's the fault of both players and TC's.

[madali]

I'm shocked the person actualy listened (or was able to listen) to that being said.

Well done to them.


intro speeches have fast become a complete joke, not only is nobody listening but the TC is usually just trying to get through it as fast as they can, not really caring if anyone can actually make out what is being said. If it's Vinnie, no chance of understanding it anyway - we'd need the same machine Stephen Hawking uses

That probably goes a long way to being a big reason why most players seem to have NFI about anything coming up, but it's the fault of both players and TC's.

Wow this surprises me. In my venue we have one TC who demands complete silence before speaking to ensure that he can be heard and however boring it may be they go through everything. Occasionally get the idiot who complains they didn't hear but only when they are being sat out for breaking the rules. Used to have a microphone for them to talk but one TC ( who will remain nameless) found this a good opportunity to start singing.

[BigPete33]

Apart from the singing, that's how it should be

[madali]

Agreed Singing should be banned at all games

But seriously I have also attended a couple of games in Melbourne and found the same thing everything was clearly announced at the begining of the night. Maybe I was just lucky or perhaps it is just that I do listen to what is being said. I still think that a small pamphlet handed out to players outlining the game rules, frequently used poker terms and general etiquette may help the players.

[666HARPS666]

Those that don't listen are not going to read G .

[madali]

Those that don't listen are not going to read G .

I am not talking about a novel or anything too taxing. I bet there are a few new players who require the sheet with the hand ranking on it and I am just saying extend this to show basic rules,poker terms and etiquette.

[Larx36]

Those that don't listen are not going to read G .

I am not talking about a novel or anything too taxing. I bet there are a few new players who require the sheet with the hand ranking on it and I am just saying extend this to show basic rules,poker terms and etiquette.

Maybe a pamphlet with lots of pictures would be the go.

I personally find it very rude of these players who continuously chat to their mates whilst the TC goes through his/her pre tourney address.