What's hot- what's not

[Darren B]

.... on the current proformance of Enzo (last seasons number 1) and Emily (the girlfreind) in this season so far.

I didn't know Enzo and Emily were an Item

[Garth Kay]

LOL that's funny, I didn't even notice that ambiguous statement. Boy have I got a story for you guys.
I was UTG with AJ right and Emily turns to me and says..................

[Garth Kay]

"I like the State Leaderboard system, I might even make the top 50 and qualify."

[Dakota]

Okay here's my buck and a half.
In all of the major tourniament leagues out there, the best players are based on the amount of bracelets they win regardless of how many games they play. Nobody questions thier poker ability, because they play 20 more games than everybody else. They base there perception on how good the player is based on the amount of tourneys they win. Correct?
Personally i don't see Phil Ivey telling Gus Hansen he's not as good a player, because Gus has won 4 tourneys in the year but has played 55 games. Whereas, Phil has won 3 tourneys but only played 30 games. Of course not, there would be congratulations and respect there. It's not that easy to win a tourney regardless of whether you play 20 games or 100 games. I admit that every dog has it's day and wins a tourney, but to win multiple tourneys means that you have to be a good player.
I personally don't deem those players who limp and fold themselves into the points as good players, they are decent players . A good player has to WIN!!!! Poker is more than just playing good cards, it's also about making plays and bluffing pots with nothing, Putting your opponent to the test by putting them all-in, and creating an awe of respect about themselves, by building that reputation that they are the player to beat when they sit down at the table. And the way to build the reputation is play a lot of games and also to win a lot of games. Why is Ivey, Hansen, Lederer, Hellmuth, Brunson deemed as good players, is it because they have the best average? Hell no, it's because they've played a truck load of games, and won multiple events. Did they win every event?, did they get into the money every game? Hell no. They've managed to put that fear into other players who play with them, built that reputation. So to say that last season top 50 isn't as good as season 1 top 50, is sheer Blasphemy. Season 2 players are much better players than season 1 players.
I've personally seen a lot of poker over the course of the last 2 seasons. And the reason why this average format works over the 1st season average is this. A lot of people using the old system can simply fold and limp themselves into the points, (they usually r always short stacked) and only get into the 10-15 positions(which will give u 20-30 point average). They are not actually bettering their game play, they are not playing to win. Whereas last season in order to get into the top 50 your average had to be 35-60, which forced players to play to win, they had to play to get into the top 1-9 positions in a tourney.
So i put this to you; would there be this sort of debate if the NPL started with its current system from the get go. Hell no, the players would not know any different. The debate stems from the fact that you guys have something to compare to. The current format is a better way than the 1st season, because peoples game play had to change and evolve in order to give themselves a winning chance.
So here's the way i see it, you should be able qualify to the state finals through 3 ways
(1) top 5 at the venue
(2) top 50 averages based on it's current format
(gamma) automatic qualification if u win 4 or more tourneys through the course of the season

Point gamma will give those who deem themselves as good players to qualify through this means. So if you are good enough as most of you claim you are. You can simply play 4 games, win all 4 and qualify.
A good player is and should always be based on how many tourneys they win. Not on average points. Agreed

[Des]

I like that option... and I dont think it would affect the numbers a huge amount either.

[Garth Kay]

Best post to date Dakota.

[Darren B]

Dakota,
you have my respect and awe

[David]

Dakota,

(Yes, I spell it right, not like half the people on here!)

I agree with a lot of what you said.

I guess it's a really hard thing to prove one way or the other. I mean, comparing Ivey and Hansen, and their records, that's all good and well. But it's not a "season". There's no final. When there's a final in anything, sport, whatnot.. you have to have a way to rank the results (and lack thereof).

In ANY sport or past time; if there is a season, it's a SET amount of games. You couldn't have the Crows playing more games than Port Adelaide, as it would give them more chance of gaining points and therefore more chance at finals.

In the NPL there's players I consider way better players than others, who have won a lot less tournaments. The way I see it, if you've played 100 times and won 3 tournaments, or played 20 times and won 1 tournament.. no one is better or worse.

The "Leader Board" is in no way a reflection of the best players in the NPL. That's not saying the players aren't good. They are damn good. But the average system advantages the people who play 4 - 7 times a week.

Dakota - if the system for season two was in season one, I would have said something because I like averages and statistics

Consider this: If it weren't for good "business sense" (ie getting more people playing more often) - would the average system had changed?

I doubt it.

[Origami]

I've just worked out the best tactic...

Pick a venue that the "80+ game players" frequent and you have more chance of being in the top 5

give me a travel allowance, meal monies and a three days off a week and it would work 4 me too !!

trips beat two pair dont they!

[Origami]

Work out your score using my system. See how you compare!

my ipod does not do calculations yet !

Apple should work on your formulas Nathan and release a

new model that also plays poker then when they get to the

country general store after ive ordered one I'll let you know !!