I read Aces interview on Blonde today, I know that he is dying to get stuck into the live club but all this licencing has held things up for his job. I originally asked Simon to do the job of "Live Poker Host" at DTD because he has attention to detail, takes things very seriously and is straight up, "what you see is what you get". Disapointingly, I have had some other pros (I'll never disclose their names) who have questioned my choice, hinting that they "might be more appropriate blah blah blah". One of the pros seemed mortally wounded that I had not approached him for the job, what a plonker, yes, he is a very very good poker player, but couldn't accept responsibility if his life depended on it. I need people for specific jobs and I select them based on the skillset needed for the requirements of that job, its as simple as that. I've had some similar comments made my appointment of Chubbs to head up DTDPOKER, the online side........I wish people I know personally would support us rather than try and knock us.
So many poker players seem to be itching to get into the business side of poker. They seem to think its a chance to make a quick buck, but do not realise that they are often only getting their egos manipulated. The poker market is maturing quickly, and opportunities to get rich fast are now limited. When a market reaches this stage, you have to graft to be successful, the same as most other industries. I want grafters involved in DTD, individuals who can willing to put themselves out for their collegues and customers, not just looking for a short term earner.
Anyway, we have had a few more developments at DTD.
1. Nick has decided to retain the Designer who did the Broadway (Bob), cost £35,000, but not use the Contracts Manager. Nick offered the Contracts Manager a flat fee of £100,000 to do the job for us, but his bottom line was £120,000, so Nick told him "no" and has decided to oversee the major contracts himself. He is going to be assisted by Lee Scott (another life long friend of ours), who works for me and Nick's property company. I'm really pleased about this, as we can do the job "our way", and get more of a sense of achievment when it is complete..thats what this whole project is about.
2. I have cancelled my trip to Canada and will also not be going to the WSOP. I had booked all the flights and hotels and British Airways won't give me a refund or change the ticket names, £5k down the drain. I've had to sacrifice this trip as the next 6 weeks are the most critical in the planning and gaming licencing processes. It is very disapointing but I just do not have the confidence in the lawyers, Gaming Board and various other government bodies involved. I need to be in the UK to push all this through, there is too much risk otherwise.
3. The Gaming Board have now kindly notified my that the interview on Monday will not be the final one. I will also have to attend a panel interview at their head office at a time to be confirmed by them (their actual words were, "we are overloaded with work at the moment so can't give you a date, and you are a not a known face in the gaming industry so we need to see you again ". What can I do.........just what I am told i guess.
I think my diary will be pretty busy over the coming weeks as we enter the most important phase of setting up DTD. I am working hard to get everyone to take responsibility for their parts in the jigsaw and help us pull it off. I really need their help, to be honest, and hope that people will treat this like it was their money they were investing, and that their own individual targets were part of their own business.
Making the choice to stay in the UK over the next 6 weeks has made me feel much better and more focussed. We are sailing through uncharted waters in a little rubber dingy and the sea is full of big sharks and unpredictable waves, so we have to row like XXXX.
