SHIPS

[Garth Kay]

Well Paul,
As "disgruntled" as I was upon reading several of your first posts ( and they did have merit and were constructive) I have to say that this last one is just totally ridiculous and absurd.
I am just going to dignify it with this one response and remind you that 59% of our members will generally play more than once a week, when they do play.
I have to say that this is your most absurd post to date and by posting that you are sounding like a whining, spoilt child who is throwing a tantrum because they can't get their way.

[The Cougar]

I'm thinking of going on the new Queen Mary

[bennymacca]

"The small time players championships that count for nothing really Trophy".

do you realise how ridiculous that sounds? Really?

why not just give everyone a f'ing trophy.

dont venue prizes, venue vouchers, key rings, count for anything?

for someone that can only play intermittently, arent these prizes worth striving for? what more do you want from the NPL?? seriously?

[Brett Kay]

Wow.

There is poker somewhere right?

I mean thats why we play each week? Not for the points not for the prizes. But to go out have a social night out, and play some poker.

Talking to other people, having conversations, without the annoying sound of poker machines, nor the annoying sounds of Loud music.

I have yet to find something that can bring such a diverse of group of people together, and see them interact in a way socially, that many friendships are formed.

How many times have you seen an 18 year old, and a 56 year old having an in depth conversation over the state of the political climate. How many times have you seen an 82 year old women turn to a guy who has just sworn and go "Please don't let me hear you say that again", here is the rub, how many times have i seen that same guy apologise.

Take away the prizes, the points and everything else. And ask yourself.

Why do you truly play poker?

Brett.

Then again, i might have lost sight of the true meaning of it all.

[Des]

Seems to me that everyone wants something for nothing. I've never met you Cougar, but I saw you last night, and heard some conversations... seems to me you are the one complaining a lot more than anyone else.

This is free poker - you DO NOT have to pay to play. Sit down and play with 1000 in chips!

The drinks cards are used so that the venue has increased takings so that they can pay for staff and the NPL to run the tournament.

The money payed to the NPL goes to: chips, tables, laptops, cards, TD's/TA's wages, and prize money for state finals.

As for the small time player not being able to qualify - what do YOU suggest be changed? Offer the NPL an alternative.

The state leaderboard is only 7% of the total qualifiers for state finals.

Of the 93% that have to qualify the normal way... play 10 events, at one venue and qualify in the top 5. It isn't that hard.

It seems to me you just want every single player to play in the state finals. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a final doesn't it?

As for giving back to the players... all venues give out prizes. Some are venue vouchers, others are cold hard cash. So if someone can only play once a fortnight, they still can get a lot out of it. Hell, if they run extremely good they still might be able to qualify.

And as Brett said... don't we play for the love of game?

[The Cougar]

I hate grtting seasick

[muzzington]

I've lost track of what your complaining about.

[Des]

Cougar, just so you know, I am not an NPL employee... just clearing that up...

Your original complaint was:

I have a concern that potentially thousands of part-time players, (self employed, shiftworkers, single parents with childcare issues, itinerant workers) are not continuing to play because there is nothing in it for them other than a game of cards. They simply don't have the opportunity to play enough games to qualify for anything. This is sad.

Why should the NPL hand people who play intermittently the oppourtunity to play in the finals?

If you want to succeed at something (in life, work, sport) you have to put effort or time into it.

If people dont want to, or can't put the time into qualifying under the current structure should they just be given a free ride into the finals and the opportunity to play for thousands of dollars?

Look at it this way... AFL premiership... we might as well just have every team play in finals... even if they dont win a game all year. I don't think that would work because its freaking stupid!!!!

If the NPL let everyone qualify... how many players would go to regular events? Definately not as many as do now.

E.g. The GJT on Saturday night. 75 runners... awesome for a first time event. I bet 90% of people who were there was for 1 of 2 reasons: 1) for the $100 cold hard cash or 2) only a 2 week event to qualify for finals

If the NPL let everyone qualify then the numbers go down at events, venues make less money, NPL makes less money, finals have smaller prize pools.

People wouldn't bother to put in the effort to make a top 5 or top 50. They will just show up at the final and ask for their prize money without giving anything to the venues/NPL that put on these games.

Good text books on Business Marketing are readily available. Maybe a few people should read them and ask the following questions.

If NPL did not charge venues to hold tourneys would NPL still run "free" poker?
If patrons did not spend money at tourneys would they still pay NPL to run them?
How much money do you think NPL makes in a year?
Where do you think this money comes from?

It comes from the players.. like you, me, bennymacca and everyone else. Where do you think the State Final prizepool comes from? Where does the money for the country regional leaderboards come from? Where does the money for the state top 50 leaderboard comes from? The money that is paid for the drink cards goes to the venue and the NPL. The NPL then gives back what it can to the players.

Why would the NPL not charge to run tourneys, the NPL is a business. Businesses exist to make profits for shareholders. (No I am not a shareholder)

WHY DOES THE COUGAR PLAY NPL POKER?
Exactly what Brett says. I enjoy the company, the laughs, the drinks, The Cougars card protectors are legendary- hang on , I've already said this 10 times before. Last night when I walked in 20 people said "hey, The Cougars here". I did not here one person mention Des or bennymacca all night.

I also enjoy improving my game. I played one hand poorly and was beaten when other player hit and came from behind to win. I still shook all their hands when I went out.

I too play NPL to make friendships... I've made a huge amount of friends since NPL started here in SA. I'd list them but this reply is gonna be long enough as it is.

I honestly dont care if anyone gives a fig about if I'm playing a tournament or not.

Obviously you are looking for glory by playing NPL. Your comment above simply proves this.

And for the record... people were only saying "ooh cougar's here" because of your idiotic rant 3 weeks ago.. yet you are back playing again because you smelt the opportunity to qualify for state finals by only playing 2 events.

Cougar, stop trying to hide the fact that you are pissed off about not having the time to qualify for the finals this season. No... this season the cougar will not be able to enjoy any glory.

If you truely played for the love of the game... then you should have no gripes at all about the qualification process.

This whole thread is simply a thinly veiled attempt to have a gripe because you are too busy to qualify the normal way and just want it so that you can have a free ride next time around.

[Origami]

having never met ' the cougar '

I'd like to welcome him back to the forum . I enjoy his input .

The Cougar has an obvious passion for Life and Poker haven't

worked out which one yet !!

His contributions and reactions make a interesting study... being one of the 93% in this State's NPL he appears to me to be why this forum was created... by the players for the players.

.... If your take away the top 7 % of the contributors from this forum .... . You have Cougar and a silent majority.

Have you ever read 1984 it might of been Animal Farm was never good At English. m8.......... The Ruling class were..... ???

I for one look forward to the day , we met [ I'll bring my camera ]. and I can enjoy the taking of your chips ' trash talking' , getting more points might even get a blue key ring to remember the night , learn your tells , discuss the price of beer after filling my cards and general playing the game.

keep imputing . I think the ' trophy'/ tourney u want happens

every night, most weeks at most venues. and Yes staying till the final table completes is exciting and intuative and capturing the winners ' pride and satisfaction on film is
also a thrill.

A Legend in the making ---> The Cougar

for I also enjoy the ' Thrill of the Poker '

[Des]

His contributions and reactions make a interesting study... being one of the 93% in this State's NPL he appears to me to be why this forum was created... by the players for the players.

.... If your take away the top 7 % of the contributors from this forum .... . You have Cougar and a silent majority.

Bruce... hardly any of the 7% actually contribute here... you'll find most of us actually are in the 93% group.

I always look forward to your replies... kinda like a box of chocoates, never know what you are gonna get.