I seem to be speaking to a lot of people at the moment about potential roles with DTD, despite the costs spiralling with only a few caps and T-Shirts to show for it, to make a venture of this size really work, I know that I need a number of different skills within the organisation, and its better to get these people involved in the beginning, so they feel that they are really part of DTD from the start.
The Tank's Vegas Top Ten - Part I
thetank give us his guide on his favourite casinos in Vegas.
[91] 15th Aug 2006 20:17
[90] 13th Aug 2006 23:43
Had a couple of days in Luton and everyone was asking me about DTD and when its opening as usual. Its very hard to concentrate and play a poker tournamenet when so many people approach you, its relentless, but I guess it shows that the players are really looking foward to it. Actionjack, Paul King and Carlo Citrone were wearing DTD clothing and everyone was asking me if I put them in, I did not, they just like the clothing, seriously! I can't say I enjoy playing live poker in the UK as much nowadays, this has been my 1st time in 8 weeks since I lost in the Walsall main final event to Chubbs heads-up, but playing poker is no longer an "escape" for me, as well as the constant questions about DTD, I had 13 (yes..I counted) players ask me for money towards their buy-in, or to sell a % of themselves (and they will wear a DTD cap!), I was getting "nipped" (as we say in poker) from every angle. Some of these people make me feel like it is my "duty" to give them financial support, like its my fault that they blew their money on the casino tables or on the support events earlier on in the week. I am far too soft in this area, I find it hard to say "no", but the DTD thing has made things much much worse, as I can't actually afford to say "yes" so often now!
[89] 7th Aug 2006 00:38
All the torpedos are lined up, licencing, finances, fit-out, online, web site, poker tables, chips etc .........I just can't fire the bloody things yet. I'm itching to get that portacabin set up outside the club, and start seeing DTD being created. We should be in there knocking the place about in 2-3 weeks.
[88] 2nd Aug 2006 13:00
I havn't played any poker since the Midlands Medley and I've got bad withdrawl symptoms, I hope to play the main event at Luton next week, time and dogs permitting. I'm also going to the Blondebash and maybe play the APAT as well. I spoke with TK in the week about the new Amateur Poker Association and Tour, I'm sure there is a good chance that DTD can support this in the future, when we actually have a club open!
[87] 25th July 2006 03:09
I have an interesting new recruit to the DTD team - Mike Wiseman, who retires from the Gaming Board on July 31st 2006, will be joining DTD as "Compliance Director" on 1st August 2006. Mike was a Senior Gaming Board Inspector with the Board for over 20 years. He is well known and respected in the UK Casino industry. Under gaming law, he has to report directly to the casino owner (me, even though I know bugger all about running a casino) and his role will be to:
[86] 24th July 2006 17:05
The only events I really want to play in the UK are the main events at the Grovesnor Casinos, I am cutting down on my poker playing anyway. The Gaming Board have not said no, but they still may. but my gut feel is that it will depend on the other casinos in the UK, at their discretion. I am not going to be a licence holder, so there is no legal reason why I cannot play in another UK casino.
[85] 23rd July 2006 11:27
After 6 months into this project, I always knew deep down that the Gaming Board were odds on to not let me me play at the club. However, I was 50:50 whether I would play anyway, I was concerned that it was not really ethical to play for money (which basically is what poker is about when you undress it to bare bones), when all the card room staff ultimatley work for me, how can they make a impartial ruling on the owner of the club? So, its not such a dissapointment, it solves a dlilemma. There are many other benefits to me owning the club; I can make sure that I can get really good vegetarian food in the restaurant, I can entertain my staff, friends and business clients in the VIP Suite and I can generate extra revenues for my charity....so its no big deal.
[84] 18th July 2006 22:34
GOOD NEWS
I got a phone call from the Gaming Board tonight. They are have finalised their report on Dusk Till Dawn and are recomending that we are granted the gaming licence. However, as a new applicant (rather than a Gala or Grovesnor etc), I still have to attend 1 more interview at their new head offices in Birmingham. They told me that subject to me "not totally blowing the interview" we will recieve our gaming licence in mid August. The Senior Gaming Inspector, Bob Meek, who has dealt with the Dusk Till Dawn application, , has never had one of his recomenedations overturned in his 20 years of service at the Gaming Board. Following that, we also have to apply to the local council at attend a magistrates hearing in Nottingham, but again, they told me that this should also be a formaility based on the strength of our application". I would say its 95% there, allowing 5% just because nothing in life can be 100%, as us poker players all know.
BAD NEWS
One of the conditions of them granting the licence is that I will not be able to play poker at Dusk Till Dawn.
[83] 18th July 2006 01:27
Nick came round today to give me some good news. Our application for Casino Planning has been granted today, this is really good news and will help our Gaming Licence progress aswell. I'm still narked that they changed the law in April 2006 and we had to re-apply for a new licence, but its a relief, and now we can finally get started on the re-fit. I just cannot see us not getting the Gaming Licence now after this piece of good news, but nothing would surprise me with this process. Anyway, something positive to report for the minnows of the gaming world.