NPL needs an overhaul

[Garth Kay]

Currently QLD is not under this companies or my jurisdiction. The reason I am heading over to Vic is to bring them into line with the product we have over here and to create the same sort of team philosophy and skill level that we have in this great state.

I can't wait for this Saturday, there's going to be some tears.
So someone bring tissues for me please.

[Garth Kay]

I still want this debate to continue and would like to hear from as many players as possible in regards to what they would like to see at NPL.

But whilst thinking of this I would like to make a few points:

1.) When you talk about changing the current format there are not just the player's feelings to consider but also the staff, if we alter the tournament to a turbo based tournament (currently we are a super turbo format) then staff will be on site longer and therefore we would be required to pay them more, in turn we would have to charge the venue more, and when that happens we have to create more promotions to generate more revenue for the venue. And who generates the revenue? You, the players.

2.) We are the biggest and the best for several reasons, yes we are professional, the best in the business (in general) without a doubt.

And we are only going to improve and keep on innovating and adapting and creating more for you the players. But we are also the best because whilst we do charge venues to run events at their hotels we are also the only company to really try and drive this as a revenue raiser for hotels.

You will see most companies that enter SA now try and attract players (with a deeper stack, relaxed structures, less spend required etc...) and forget about the one important factor: KEEP THE VENUES HAPPY. Not many venues will continue to run free poker events if they are not generating a revenue from the players.

And thanks to this philosophy and fine line we walk in satisfying everyone's needs we walked away with "Most Popular Poker League" and the "Greatest Promotional Device" in last year's Poker industry awards, these two awards were voted on by players and venue managers respectively.I forgot to mention that these awards are national.

I will re read the thread and use quotes and answer all queries and statements personally over time.

I do not have a problem with altering the tournament structure, as long as it does not affect venue revenue and spend by players or player's experiences at NPL events.

We offer more in the way of prizes and promotions (both in amount and dollar value) than any of our competitors and in the end our primary goal is for venues to attract custom using our product, and for our product to attract customers that are there for a good social experience.

As I have stated numerous times, yes we are a business and we do care about profit margins, but we do care about our staff and customers and in the long run, and in the big picture, it's not all about the poker. It's about people having a good time.

Time for one more stat: 35% of our players play more than once a week (that's the largest percentage of more than once per week players than any other state/competitor) why do you think these players continual turn up more than once a week? But then we have 65% of our players who are the people that go out once a week for a fun social night and to do something different.

Let the posts continue.

[Nevah play JJ]

Currently QLD is not under this companies or my jurisdiction. The reason I am heading over to Vic is to bring them into line with the product we have over here and to create the same sort of team philosophy and skill level that we have in this great state.

I can't wait for this Saturday, there's going to be some tears.
So someone bring tissues for me please.

Garth,

Is what your saying there, is that SA is the leader as far as NPL tournaments go?

I find that alone an interesting bit of information.

Thanks.

[BigPete33]

We'll always be better than Mexico

[Garth Kay]

SA, in my mind, is definitely the best run pub poker league tournaments, yes.

Don't get me wrong there is still a long way to go to get to where I want us to be.

But compared to other states we definitely have the most passionated, dedicated, loyal, enthusiastic, knowledgeable staff than any other company.

Now we just need to get them all reading from the same page.

[Dug]

people go more than once a week because they are addicted.

You raise good points Garth

Working with a 4 hour limit:

25/50 20 mins
50/100 20 mins
100/200 20 mins
break for 15
200/400 20 mins
300/600 20 mins
500/1000 15 mins
1000/2000 15 mins
2000/4000 15 mins

thats almost 3 hours of poker with blinds at 4000.
say another hour and blinds would be 40,000.

All that achieved within 4 hours of poker. How many tournaments with average 50 players get to 40,000 blind levels? Given there is only 75,000 chips at (1500) initially. Plus chip ups an extra 50,000 on average.

So in reality 500 more chips with above blind structure would see a tourney finish from 3-4 hours. Which is about average at the moment.

[bennymacca]

Garth, i would like to ask you a question

in the above posts, you have made mention that there is still a long way to go, and to be honest, i dont know how much more NPL can do, its fricken awesome at the moment. but i would just like your thoughts on where YOU think there is room for improvement?

this might be useful for us in giving suggestions that are aimed at your problem areas.

[Garth Kay]

Our biggest problem area is uniformity across the board in presentation of the product.
Our staff do a great, fantastic, professional job. But I would like to see all staff at a base level in terms of customer service and poker knowledge, whilst all running the same tournament formats and promotions.

You have to experience tournaments from different regions ran by many different staff to appreciate this, but there is no doubting we have a staff list that ranges from barely acceptable all the way to exceptional when it comes to running entertaining, friendly but professional poker tournaments.

[Nevah play JJ]

I do have one negative thing to say... Sorry for that:

But...........

One issue I have is that the cards become very dodgy after quite alot of play.

They become marked and sticky.
Also we seem to get quite a few chips that for some reason are breaking down.

The only issue is that this takes money and time to maintain and it isn't like the TD's have time to constantly wash and clean chips and cards.

But with recent talk of 3 cards being dealt out I just think it is something worth raising.

[AceLosesKing]

Garth, every NPL staff member I've ever come into contact with has been awesome. Friendly, welcoming and easy going - most important of all, they know their sh*t. Believe me, in recruiting Staff, you're doing a great job.