blonde poker forum

APAT Announces UK Amateur Poker Championship

London, October 30, 2006:  The Amateur Poker Association & Tour (“APAT”), in association with PokerStars.com, today announced details of its premier UK based live event.

The APAT United Kingdom Amateur Poker Championship will be a two day event, hosted by Aspers Casino, Newcastle, on December 2nd & 3rd, 2006.   Tournament seats will be sold online at www.apat.com, from Saturday November 4th.  Entry is exclusively open to members of the Amateur Poker Association & Tour.

The tournament, which will have a capacity of 210 entrants, will attract some of the finest amateur players in the UK, who for a £75 entry fee, will play for an estimated prize pool of £15,000 - with the winner taking a substantial cash prize, prestigious title, Silver Challenge Cup, plus a sponsored $12,000 tournament entry package to the World Series Of Poker main event in Las Vegas!

Players will start the tournament with 10,000 chips and a structure designed to encourage creative play throughout.  APAT standardised rules will be in operation.   

Aspers Casino General Manager Paul Sculpher commented: “Aspers is delighted to host such a prestigious event and we look forward to welcoming APAT members and their guests, and to putting on a first class tournament.”

Tony Kendall, Chairman of the Amateur Poker Association & Tour, added:  “We are delighted to be bringing an APAT event to the North East.  Aspers is a fantastic venue and our players are going to have a wonderful time.”

Commenting on the recent APAT English Amateur Poker Championship, PokerPlayer Editor, Dave Woods stated: “The APAT event marked the beginning of a tournament revolution in the UK.  Proper live tournament poker shouldn’t just be the preserve of the sponsored pros.  APAT has finally put that right.”

About The Amateur Poker Association & Tour

With a membership drawn from 26 countries, APAT is the world’s first combined Poker Association & Tour.  Season one of the Tour features seven national and international live events, and a highly competitive series of international online events.  Every APAT live event winner, and the overall APAT player of the year, will win an expenses paid European Poker Tour, World Poker Tour or World Series Of Poker entry, sponsored by tour partner, PokerStars.com.

APAT Membership and Tournament registration can be obtained online at www.apat.com.  Individual Membership of the Association will cost £10, while entry to the UK Amateur Poker Championship will cost £75.  The total sum of all entry fees will be returned to the players in prize money.  No registration fee will be charged.  Tournament entry is subject to availability and to the terms & conditions of the Amateur Poker Association & Tour.

For additional information on the Amateur Poker Association & Tour, contact Richard Prew by email; richard@apat.com, or visit the Press section at www.apat.com.

Any news yet?

 ;scarymoment;

news in a couple of days Sheriff!


Seriously though, many apologies for the delay and I hope as many of you as wish to play successfully enter on Saturday.

Just got the email about this.

Can't understand the logic regarding not announcing the time of sale on Saturday.  Are we supposed to sit by our PC's all day hitting refresh and waiting for the page to update?

I have plans on Saturday as I'm sure many other members do.  The last thing I need is some cryptic guessing game about when the things are going on sale.

Please explain what is going on.  Are we going to get further details about this at some point?

Sheriff

"Tournament seats will be sold online at www.apat.com, from Saturday November 4th"

What time Saturday? 00:01 08:00 etc etc...

FFS

Just got the email as well

You are kidding me right????? Who the F**K is gonna sit at their PC ALL DAY hitting refresh?

Surely this is a joke.

The bit about "We cannot say specifically when as to do so may disadvantage members who do not have high speed broadband internet access." made me die!!

WTF can they not put the time, do they really think many people still use dial up???? (and even if they do, will it REALLY make that much difference?)

I can see this thread being a monster one!!  ;goodvevil;

I dont know whether to laugh or cry

The last thing I want is to be critical of APAT but the email information, as I read it, is just begging for trouble.

OK, so i cannot be at a computer between 1pm and 2pm - so if it is at that time, then I am disadvantaged.

Now I am joking about not being able to be at a computer, but you see my point? The list is endless on how people will be disadvantaged.

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umm

when on saturday?

James, this thread has nothing to do with you. Go away you trouble maker!! lol

Any news on the payout structure ?

Let the fireworks commence !

Im off to bed. GN all

The Payout Structure is going to be "flattened" compared to last time, details later this week - but before Saturday, of course.

So the laptop is going in the child seat of the trolly while we shop at tescos , so where are the kids sitting ???  ;goodvevil;  ::)

P.S Hope your sharing that popcorn James  ;D

and I'm sure there will be a "tighter" time given when the payment facility will be available....just because it isn't in the "formal" press release it doesn't mean we haven't thought about it. Maybe we need to sort out the timing on the techie side guys? ever thought of that?

nice attitude.

Richard, if that was the case, then I think the origional email should of said so - would save confusion no?

Also, I will be interested to see the "flatter" payout structure - from memory, the last payout structure was 5th got the same money as 9th didnt it? How much flatter can you go? Will 2nd now get the same as 9th?

I await the announcement with baited breath

has to be 4.25 doesn't it?

Well any confusion is of course unintentional and hopefully temporary.

The payout structure was the subject of significant feedback after Event 1 which we have taken on board and any changes will be announced pre-Saturday.

there's no attitude. If it seemed that way, apologies.

Ok i said i wouldn't comment on APAT on public forums again but i feel this is ok to say.

You are all being a tad unfair.

First it was a ballot, people complained.
A clickfest was suggested, but that brought complaints.
Now a day with no set time is also being knocked down.

It seems to me that APAT can't win.

I personally think a window of time is the best way, but then it doesn't effect me.

Gl Richard, Des and Tony, i don't envy you!

.....begging for trouble!  Are you sure Sheriff?  We put one of the strongest £75 live tournaments in front of you, that you are likely to see this year...and your response is APAT are "begging for trouble". 

Frankly I think that is a shocking statement.  Particularly when you think how much time we all spend sitting in front of PCs playing poker.

The tickemaster scenario was discussed before, pre event 1 ballot.  300 people clicking like mad...sorry, but we are not going there.  We received scores of emails from members who did not want that scenario.

If you really fancy it, I'm sure you will get a seat at this event.  Focus 300 people on a very specific time and I would not be so sure. 

Whatever,  but please don't label those who have worked their socks off to deliver this event as "begging for trouble".  Given the amount of time we put into this, that is just disrespectful.

Des.

I nearly wet myself when i saw that post! :D :D

I don't post much on the APAT threads because I'm not eligible to play, but with 8k in added value, the promise of a good structure, a great night out, a chance at a fabulous first prize, and the knowledge that everyone concerned is doing their upmost to serve my best interests, I wish I was.

The above doesn't describe any number of occasions you sit at your PC ALL DAY hitting check...raise...fold?  No?

If I have to lose some friends today to make people understand that this is not just about experienced amateur players....APAT represents hundreds and hundreds of 'little' guys up and down the country and I don't think they will complain about giving this some time on Saturday.

Des.

Guys. Lets cool it for tonight, it's late.

Tomorrow is a new day, we can travel a long way in a day, especially on a hearty breakfast.

Des

I didn't say APAT was begging for trouble, I said that the specific statement which implies that we should all merrily sit around on Saturday and wait for you to hit the 'sell' button on your site is begging for trouble.  That is EXACTLY what your email statement implies we are to be expected to do.  Justifying it by saying that we'll all be sat in front of our PC's anyway is, quite frankly, pathetic.


By 'fancy it' do you mean I should cancel all my plans for Saturday and sit around at home all day waiting for the 'magic moment?'  Sorry, but I can't do that.  I'd be very surprised if other member don't feel the same way.  Ultimately, if people miss out because they didn't happen to be at their PCs at the 'right moment' within a 24 hour timeframe then I think this will create more frustration than having a set time for sales which everyone knows about and can at least prepare for.  Perhaps you don't intend for this to be the case with the sales system, but the email that we received implies otherwise.  All I asked for was clarification on the issue because, as read, it left things hanging in the air as far as I was concerned.

As for my post being disrespectful, I'm not even going to dignify that particular statement with a response

Sheriff

Firstly, thanks to the APA guys for letting us know and more importantly, arranging what i know will be another fantastic tournament.

As for sitting in front of a PC all day to try and get a seat ?  Well, i will spend a lot of time on the PC, to hopefully play some poker and hopefully be around when i can buy-in to the UK championship, as i have pretty much told myself this will be the only other APAt event i will play in.

If i miss my email or chance because i'm away from my PC, i admit i will be gutted, but what can you do?

The APA are trying to figure the best way of doing things, and yes, some disagree, but i hope the majority understand that they are working for the members of the APA and any future members.

I am quite sure this event will be a huge success like the last and i hope to see Tony, Des, Rich and Mel up at Aspers.

Good luck guys.

I for one will gladly give up my Saturday to sit in front of my PC all day if it means I have a chance to get a seat at Newcastle. 

There is a seat at the WSOP main event up for grabs (has no one else noticed this), surely that is motivation enough!!!  It is for me anyway.  Not to mention the actual tournament and all the fun that will be had over the weekend anyway.

You will not be able to please everyone.  They did a draw last time and that wasn't liked so the apat are trying something else based on the feedback from members.  I am sure similar feedback will be taken after event 2 and acted upon if neccessary.
.

des

with all due respect mate i think as apat director your replies to both sherrif and m3boy are extremely unprofessional.although in fairness to yourself pauls post in particular could of been better worded.

but surely you can see that by not having a particular time for sale of entry is unfair to all members not just "experienced amateur" players. most people are busy at weekends after working hard all week and it would be unfair to expect members to sit all day clicking the site just so they are on at the correct time.

i know how hard setting this event up has been and i know you cannot please everyone all of the time but please guys reconsider this part of the plan as imo your making a mistake by doing it this way.

i have been fully supportive of apat all along and will continue to do so i just hope i can get lucky on saturday to be online and clicking my mouse at the correct time as after missing the first event though a ballot i fully supported i would be guted to miss out becomes i was spending time with my kids or walking the dog.

good luck to all trying to obtain a place and heres to a successful event.

ITB - agreed, but I wanted the frustration to show through.

Des, the problem I see is this :

There are double ranking points on offer for these live events - so my feelings are that everyone should have an equal chance of being able to win these. Double points could seriously alter a persons chance of winning the overall APAT championship wouldnt you agree? But both systems you have used so far in 'deciding' who plays and who doesnt , does not give everyone the chance to win these points - only the "lucky" chosen ones a chance to win these points.

Maybe the above is not very clear, but imagine this - Next years European ranking point events , the players will be chosen on a 'random' ballot process - can you imagine what would happen?? Well I see the same thing here. As for what the answer is, I dont know. Maybe have a "distance" factor bought in, weherby you can only play in an event if you live within a 100 mile radius (or county) for example. This then gives ALL members the oppotunity to play a certain amount of events.

As ITB has said, maybe my origional post could of been worded better, but for you to come on and just "dismiss" what people say and just "defend" the decisions you have made is just not on. Does not quite agree with this quote "provision of a clear communication channel for player feedback at the top of our agenda" from the APAT website does it?

As I have said before, I do not envy your task, as I know you cannot please everyone all of the time (its impossible) but I just feel that both of the methods you have used to allocate places has led yourself wide open for critisism and bad feeling.

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Still waiting for the ASSOCIATION to kick in, seems like a gimmick for the tour to me? apaT
























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dial up - broadband - what if you dont have a computer  ;goodvevil;


How can I pay for my seat if I get 1 (paypal, cheque, etc)

I have to say that I am very dissapointed with this proposal of a 'non-disclosed' sale time... whilst I was not a big fan of the ballot (especially after I missed out in the draw), at least I was in with an equal chance of getting a seat.

This decision is in order not to "disadvantage members who do not have high speed broadband internet access"... how about not disadvataging members who may indeed be true amatuers and have jobs and simply can't be in front of their PC all day.

However, I am heartened by Des's comment, "If you really fancy it, I'm sure you will get a seat at this event."... I REALLY FANCY IT... so I'm sure to get a seat... although I'm not sure how this will work as I have no intention of sitting glued to my PC all day!!  :dontask:

I think you either have to pick a time when most  people will be able to be at thier PC, perhaps 6.00 am, or go back to a ballot!!

(I really can't believe I'm proposing a ballot  ;frustrated;)

I'm just hoping that the "window" isn't between 1.30pm and 6pm when I will be going to or at or coming home fromseeing Forest crush Brentford :D

Would it not be reasonable to give those that missed out in the last ballot first refusal this time ?

 :goodpost: but for purely selfish reasons!

I know it's not quite the same thing, but the London Marathon entry is done via a ballot.  If you don't succeed on getting in via the ballot, you can reapply the following year.  After 5 unsuccessful attempts, you are then guaranteed entry the following year.  It doesn't have to be 5 attempts, but maybe something similar could be adopted by the APAT?  Just a thought.

As for this event, it looks like I won't be able to make it this time.  I won't be near a computer on Saturday, so that will pretty much rule me out.

Nevermind, I'll look forward to the next one.

I have no problem with this, I would rather rely on my diligence to get a seat than hope to be lucky in the "raffle".
I will adjust my weekend plans accordingly, if you really want it you will do it.

Also really pleased about the new structure, the problem last time M3Boy was that 1st spot was 50% of the money plus the EPT package, so effectively more than all the other prizes put together.
I think due to the WSOP package the money can be spread more evenly across the top 9 or 18 places. 1st is still the one to go for.

Completely agree....those who missed out, SHOULD be given first refusal.....and that would considerble help this first come first served 24 hour Krypton Factor test.

I just got wireless....so I'm Ok going to the loo ;D

Given the top prize my idea would be to have the WSOP place for first and then ALL the money paid from 2nd down.

...and how do I explain that to the groom of the wedding where I'm the best man?  I'm sure that'd go down well.

as the others were ballot. this one should also be in my opinion. i too am not waiting around all day refreshing. by doing this you're wasting people's time. we only get 1 weekend a week!

without consistancy and firm direction apat looks rather... well.. amateur.

Priorities old boy

Bloody hell mate you do seem to go to a lot of weddings.
 :D

It's my age!  All my mates are getting married.  The one last weekend was a friend of my brother's - and he was the best man.  If the APAT event was the weekend before I wouldn't be able to go anyway.  My cousin's wedding...

 Set a time on Saturday,and state that those who entered the first tour aren't allowed to apply until Monday at a set time.
 
 I'm sure the vast majority would be happy with that.

Wooaaaa....lets all play fair....it should be open to all. A time is set and its first come first served.......Wasnt that the initial intention form the first live event. The apat will always struggle to please all, however i think the majority are satisfied, im sure this will be another sell out and exceptional event, i hope to make it if the wife allows!

s**t...just realised, im working Saturday.......i take it all back!!!!

Correct me if I am wrong, but before the mini event that was held in Birmingham, and the raffle for places. Wasnt there a statement from the directors that all future events would be held at venues that can cater for the sort of numbers that wish to enter!

Therefore at event 2, why are we having to experience a raffle mark 2.

I fully support the ethos of APAT and have regulary enetered the online series, but if I miss out on the second live event due to a further raffle, perhaps is the right time to say "adios"

That seems to be the problem - it doesn't appear that there are venues that can hold the number of people that the APAT can attract to these events. 

The original plan seemed to involve a three-day event (probably with two day 1s) to cater for the larger numbers.  Obviously the availability of venues has altered the plans.

It's better to have an event for 200 (and have 300 unhappy that they can't make it), than have no event at all.  It's just a shame that some will miss out this time (including me) - but I'll be keen to play in the next one.

Morning everyone.

I am offline most of Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, so I've volunteered to do the front line stuff today, so you have got me on APAT duty untill this evening. Lord help you all....

I am going to go through this thread & deal with all your question & queries, one by one, as I always do. Just give me some time please, as I don't type too fast these days.

We can't please all of you, that's obvious, just from reading the contradictory Posts in this thread already!

Bear in mind, the news has been released on numerous Fora, so we have our work cut out today. Fortunately, it's been extremely well received on other Poker Fora, with less negativity, so they will be less time-consuming.

OK, let's get started. And PLEASE, remember it's just about a game of poker, & poker is just a hobby to our members. Nobody is gonna die, or even get hurt......

Kinboshi, I take your point m8, but consider this, YOU miss out on ALL the live events this/next year. Will you still be as happy with the system of "choosing" players?

TK - I dont envy your job one bit today!!

But this IS bang out of order, & I'm furious with the Poster. Keep it civil I said, & we have to endure this sort of ridiculous flaming. It's not good enough, & you guys either chill out, or shut up. OK? I am not having this kind of thing, end of story.

Forest crush Brentford indeed.

Forest - who are you?, who are you?

Go on you Bees!

Morning Tikay,

Football aside, on recieving Des's mail and Sheriffs response last night which I read but decided against responding. It does seem like a raffle mark 2, and having missed out I repeat missed out in my locality of Birmingham,I dont think the members who were not LUCKY enough to attend,should miss out for the second raffle !!

If you missed out on the 1st and the 2nd events and someone gets in both because of luck the system is fundamentally flawed. If you wanted into the 1st event but missed out, surly you should automatically get 1st dibs on the next event.

I think a national amateur association needs to be regionalized and utilize regionally organized tournaments some online and others live which can act as feeders to national competitions. This would help in a number of ways;

Players
1.) Players will have to opportunity to play within there region for a package that will cover cost's to the national comp.
2.) Foster relationships within the APA community.

APA
1.) All players will have a fair chance to play in the national competition.
2.) More involvement for sponsor poker stars.
3.) More flexibility in choosing venues which is already outstripping demand.

If your getting 800+ applications for each event you are never going to be able to supply the demand without some kind of qualifying structure. This will stop a lot of criticism if it’s fair and open to all.

What about people who became members after the first event? Do they automatically qualify for Aspers due to "missing" the first event?
I have talked about how brilliant the APAT is to some poker mates, so now they will be first in the list on that system.

Well, Kinboshi has answered this pretty much, but let's expand.

Yes, after Event One, we DID say that we'd try & find a way to overcome the capacity problems for future Events. Bear in mind, I have aLWAYS been 100% open & honest with you guiys, so don't be fretting that I'll run away from anything I've said, on APAT, or owt else.

Anyway, we set up Event Two, almost to the point of making the aannouncement, we were 24 hours away from going public, when we realised we had overlooked something - Disabled Access. Damn! That was completely my fault, I had recce'd the venue, & for some reason, I thought they had disabled access organised. They did not. We determined immediately - no Disabled Access, no APAT, end of story. That's a shame, because we had set it up to have 2 opening Days, Friday & Saturday, & with each days capacity at 216, we had a capacity of 432. A big improvement, & in keeping with our committments to improve the capacity problem. (Which, by the way, is hardly APAT's fault).

So we found an alternative venue, with, we were told, massive capacity. Things did not quite turn out to be what they appeared to be there, either, so by now, we were in a bit of a hole as to finding somewhere big enough, & the clock was ticking, too.

So we plumped for Aspers in the end, & with time against us, decided to keep it simple - one opening day, and a capacity of just over 200. I'm not convinced, personally, that we will sell the 200 tickets, but we shall see, & obviously, I hope we do.

I hope that explains some of how we ended up where we are.

As the Season unfolds, we may be able to organise "double opening days" & the like, we shall see. We were hoping DtD would come on stream earlier than it now looks likely, but at least for Season Two, they will be able to host us in style. (Already discussed with Rob....)

This is only our second ever Live Event, so bear with us guys. It took Mr Duthie a season to get it right with the EPT, but he got there, & so shall we. There's a bit of hollering & hooting & jumping up & down going off, but as far as I & my APAT colleagues are concerned, we KNOW we are going the right way. We are adding HUGE value to £75 Tourneys - nobody else is doing that, so far as I am aware. Perhaps someone will tell me if I am mistaken on that. These Tourneys are aimed at recreational players, & to them, it's a bit special. Plesase don't mar their enjoyment by spoiling the atmosphere. The Broadway was awesome, and Aspers will be too.

No, neither they, nor anyone else, will "automatically qualify".

First in the list "in that system". What system?

Looks like the APAT boys have a nightmare on their hands, do whatever you think is best Tikay.
Not gonna flame you for putting on the best value tourneys ever.

Perhaps have qualifiers? They could be regional too, or online if easier. A thought for future events?

I will explain, later today, after I've worked through all the chaff, how & why we are selling seats the way we are, on Saturday.

It's not quite as straightforward to solve as you may think, for reasons which will become obvious a little later today. Be patient, please, & all will become clear &, hopefully, you'll better understand.

what about the local guys who now see theres no event on at there casino that weekend? they will prob join apat just so they can play at there local casino that weekend without any intention of supporting apat thereafter!

is this fair??

I wouldn't be too overjoyed, you're right.  I think the ballot process, no matter how imperfect, is the best solution.  Far better than penalising people who are unavailable on a specific date and time to make their application.

The fairest way to me seems to be the ballot process, with some provision for those who are unsuccessful so that they are guaranteed/have a far greater chance of getting into the next tournament. Maybe a 'points' system, so that it also benefits members who have been members for longer and haven't just registered in time for the latest event.

I don't know how many members there are - but if there are 800 (for argument's sake) and an event caters for only 200, then there are going to be quite a few disappointed people (many might not want to play, but there will be some who can't get in).  Like I said, without the APAT all 800 wouldn't be playing, so it's just a case of working out the fairest way possible for members.

I'm sure Tikay or Des will mention this, but I'm not sure what the rationale was at dropping the ballot and moving to the ticket office approach.  We aren't seeing all the hard work they are obviously putting in behind the scenes.  Like the proverbial duck on the pond.

No, no nightmare. We've founded a great Tour, & we are in our infancy, suffering a few growing pains. Intelligent peeps understand that. These growing pains are, partly, caused by the extraordinary value we are offering, so it's, overall, a GOOD thing for poker, no matter what anyone says. We have managed to get that breakthrough - sponsors not just adding their name to events, but adding proper extra value. This gets very little mention amongst all the flak, but if it all ended tomorrow for yours truly, I'd be proud to have been part of that breakthrough for Tournament Poker.

I also know that for just about everyone that attended Event One, it was a very special & memorable day, with the nicest atmosphere I've ever encountered at a Tournament.  Event Two will be just as good. If this causes capacity probs, well, as in life, we just can't have it both ways.

I think Tikay and the rest of APAT will have to accept that Blondeites are just perfectionists.

We can all see the really good parts of the APAT ''vision', that's why they don't need mentioning - they don't need improving.

Once the niggles and glitches which are inevitable in the first season of a venture this size have been ironed out - then we'll stop whinging.

:)

We got pilloried big time for having a ballot, the flak was extraordinary. So we said, "OK, we will do it different next time". And we have.

There will not be a raffle, or a ballot, on this occasion.

We shall, later this week, but before the weekend, narrow down the time frame as to when the tickets will go on sale. It'll likely be something along the lines of "between x o-clock & y o-clock" a 2 or 3 hour timeframe. And, probably later today, time permitting, I will explain WHY it is being done that way. It does make sense, when you hear the methodology......

I also know that for just about everyone that attended Event One, it was a very special & memorable day, with the nicest atmosphere I've ever encountered at a Tournament.  Event Two will be just as good. If this causes capacity probs, well, as in life, we just can't have it both ways.
[/quote]

i dont think one person on this thread has doubted this.
 i was a spectator on day 1 of the last event (prematurly cut short bysome bad luck to the person i was supporting). it was a great atmosphere and as you say im sure the next one will be to.

with all the added packages surely it should be fair to all members to have the same equal chance to qualify for one ie playing the same amount of events?

For information payment methods at the weekend are

Visa credit
Mastercard credit
Visa delta debit
Electron debit

No neteller I am afraid, sorry about that

It's possible, yes.

Is it fair? Probably not. Theres not much we can do about it, really.

I am still not convinced we will sell all the seats. But like I said, I hope we do.

this would be the same anywhere we went..it happens for blonde bashes, it will happen for APAT.

Well, maybe, maybe not. It's just a poker tourney, it's not Pension Rights or something onerous we are discussing, it's just a poker torurnament for recreational players. Whatever way we do it, we are gonna get some complaints.

"1st dibs"...not heard that expression for a year or two!

Where and when did you participate in " 1st dibs" then Tikay..........no blushing

We have stated, we will narrow the timeframe down BEFORE the weekend, to a 2 hour "window" at most.

And yes it IS, well, Amateur. The Amateur Poker Association & Tour. And your unpaid Chairman is an amateur, too. But I'm quite proud of what APAT has done already.

solo? maestro?

and can u pay with a card with a different name to the person who the place is for?

Now that would be embarrassing.....

Sadly, it only involved playing the Triangle in the school band. A boys only school, too, in case your mind was going down those sort of avenues.....

the easy way to stop this is to only let members enter that joined prior to the tournament being announced. at least give them priority

i'll ask for you itb.

Can I make a suggestion that is probably gonna sound pretty selfish as it does affect me. A vast number of the male population aged 18+ follow their football teams and will be out of the house from perhaps 1pm-6:30pm any chance of not having the window this time because trying to talk the mrs through registering for a tournie online is gonna be  ;frustrated;

thanks richard.

i only have a solo see and rookie a maestro otherwise il have to use mrs itb's visa lol whats new there lol

Absolutely, I personally let go a couple of misplays to my own disadvantage.
Most obvious case being a young chap flat called out of turn, I had KK and even though could have screwed him allowed him to change his call to a pass after I raised.
I just felt it looked like his first live event and making his call stand to my raise wasn't in the spirit of the event.
In hindsight maybe I would have made the money if I went allin and insisted he had to call lol.

but if you follow a Scottish football team, we are saving you from yourself. For one weeknd only.


p.s (I'll have a word)

For what its worth, here is my view ...

I have NOT joined APAT because I want to see how parting with some money (however nominal the amount) will benefit me as an individual.

I would love to play the comps and the thought process and direction that APAT is trying to go down appeals to me greatly. However until I know that i can play in an event that i choose to without all the hassle that you have to go through to get a spot in the comp at the moment, my subscription will stay in my account.

I will however join in the future when I am happy and comfortable with the selection process for getting a spot in a comp.

I supose what I am really trying to say is that I am taking the easy route and letting all the niggling teething problems get ironed out before i join up.

That way I dont get angry or frustrated at the issues at the moment :)

Yes - the spirit & atmo was extraordinary. As you know, every player that exited got a round of applause - every single one, not just from his table, but everybody in the comp, & the Railers too. Oddly, I noticed this in Southampton at the weekend, one table applauded - warmly & innocently - their bustees.  APAT & blonde Bashes apart, I've never seen this in the UK before, though in Scandinavia, it's quite normal.

Tikay, with respect,you're being rather dissmissive of Acidmouse and his "1st dibs"....its just FAIR that when its oversubscribed. that members who missed out first time have a better chance than those you went to the first tour.

...and surely its easierly done by asking/telling those who went to the first one that they are welcome to apply after Saturday.

Noted Kev. It's pretty difficult for me to understand how ANYONE can get angry or frustrated at being able - or not - to enter a Poker Tourney! Guess I must have had a life thats a bit different, I've sure got angry & frustrated a few times down the years, but not over a game of cards!

...and with respect to you, Sir, I try not to be dismissive of anyone who is a Member or potential Member of APAT. I am being honest, polite & civil, & doing my best to answer a lot of questions, rather than dodge the difficult ones.

I am afraid life is not always "fair", & we all know that. We are doing our best to accommodate everyone, as fairly as we can. Whatever way we do it, some will say "that's not fair".  They are probably right, too. That's not "dismissive", that's the way life is.

The other point I'd make Kev is that Annual Subs are £5 or 10. In return, there are 7 Live Events, at least 4 of which will be in mainland UK, and those 4 Events have over $35k of added value in tourneys that only cost £75 to enter. OK, you may not get into all of them, possibly even any of them, but at £5 or £10, it's not the worst value "bet" in the world!

You also get access to the online events which have a nice structure.

I just re-read my original reply to Acidmouse - this was the one where I compared it with, hypothetically, Pension Rights. That's not being dismissive, thats keeping it in perspective. In my opinion.......

I can't help but notice that Kev has lost his stripes and been reduced to the ranks.

The mind truly boggles at the possible reasons for this  ::)

Here are consecutive Posts from Page 4 of this thread.....

"....Set a time on Saturday,and state that those who entered the first tour aren't allowed to apply until Monday at a set time.

I'm sure the vast majority would be happy with that....."

Followed by.....

"....Wooaaaa....lets all play fair....it should be open to all. A time is set and its first come first served.......Wasnt that the initial intention form the first live event. The apat will always struggle to please all, however i think the majority are satisfied, im sure this will be another sell out and exceptional event, i hope to make it if the wife allows!...."

As you can see, we have opposite views that in both cases think "the majority" would be happy.....!

So fire away, by all means, but please understand, it's not easy to please everyone.

"Lost his stripes"? News to me!

See....

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=16428.0

One's mind may boggle no more.

Yes, I know the membership fee represents good value, But I can join up when an event is announced that I know for CERTAIN i will get a seat for, I can play online events anywhere at any price ..... So why should I join up now just to have a random chance of getting a seat ?

We WILL disclose the sale time "window" before Saturday. There are technical reasons why we have yet to be able to do so.

Okay but in his previous post on here his title was a humble "hero member" like most of us hoi palloi

WHAT EVER WILL BE WILL BE

Event 1 was random/ballot/draw

This event is first come first served, and therefore not random.

We had many many requests not to do a "seats go on sale at one time" clickfest too

So we'll set a window, and those that are able can buy a seat by registering when the link opens.

Not random!

Was that bloke in the spam pm's a "hero member" ? :D

Well OK how about everyone who made the ranking points in the last live event are guaranteed a seat?

 ;ifm;

No life isn't fair....and you're right, its just a game of Poker!.....but if I was lucky enough to go to the first event, I would welcome members who missed out to have "1st dibs". this time.

You don't "have to" join up Kev, nor does anyone else.

I simply suggested that a £5 or £10 Annual Sub was a pretty decent value bet - in my opinion - for the chance of getting in between 1 & 4 Live Tourneys (I ignored the non-Mainland UK Events) with over $35k of ADDED Value. (That's in additon to the Prize Pool). I never mentioned the Online Events.

So there is no reason why you should join if you don't wish to. I simply said that, to me, it seemed a decent value punt.

...and many would agree with you. And just as many, disagree with you. Mainly, lets be honest, from a position of vested interest. Life's like that.

Probably, and I bet he's on a few people's buddy lists too ;)

I'm not quite sure what the question or problem is here. Can you assist, please?

I like the suggestions these threads spring up. If it wasn't for people who ask questions about why things happen the payout structure for example may have remained the same and fewer problems wouldl be resolved/discussed.

I know people making suggestions/complaining is a pain in the ass for the APAT team but thats why Blonde is so good, you aint ever gonna get away with hiding the real issues or brushing stuff under the table (Not for one second saying that APAT have done this, but its more a general statement).

The idea of online qualifiers for a "set aside 10 seats" at every live event sounds a wicked suggestion. Almost like a 2nd chance for those who didn't get lucky and secure there seat from the original ballot/click feast/random lotto.

so surely the clickfest will begin at the time specified? no difference as far as i can see

I still say there IS a simple solution for these problems, which will only get worse as more and more people join. My solution would be this :

For each APAT event (200 max capacity), have REGIONAL qualifiers (worked out so that all have a chance of attending) So it would work like this :

10 Regional qualifiers of 100 people in each, with the top 20 "qualifying" for the APAT event.

Problem solved.

I appreciate this would need alot more organisation, but would stop all the problems with the "current lottery process" of being selected to play APAT events.

Your thoughts??

Of course it is random, is everyone that wants to play going to get a seat ?  

there are many RANDOM factors that will determine who gets in and who doesnt, such as the time window that you offer ... what if some people who work on Saturdays cant be at a PC during the said window, what if I have got tickets for a footy game on saturday and cant register.... soooo many RANDOM factors that will determine if people who want a seat can get a seat.... therefor it indeed IS a random process.

My thought is I like all the feedback

We are two events into what we believe is a long term tour that is great news for players.

If some these suggestions (and they all get considered and debated by us) throw up good ideas, then thats good news for APAT and by extension its members.


and its not random  8)

Is  8)

 ;nana;

Would it be possible/worthwhile to to put 50% of the seats on sale at say, 7am, and 50% at 7pm on Saturday?

Random factors might affect somebodys chances of being able to register, but the allocation of seats itself is not random.

I think it's a bit harsh to criticise APAT over the part of the process which they have no control over.

exactly Jon

Everyone has a choice...in a random ballot it is up to fate, no choice involved once you are in the hat

Im not criticising ...... not sucking up either.

By the way, Red's suggestion is a damn good one.

Yes - it caught my eye too!

And yes, I love the blonde ethos where we can chew the cud on these things, long may it last. I get a little exasparated when folks get over-excited, as a few did last night, but it takes all sorts I guess, & tolerance is a wonderful thing.

If you have a great web programming team get a WAP page up... thus elminating the need to be at a PC most of the phones nowadays have WAP/GPRS

and one of the worse for "over excitement" last nite was your very own director des!
i put this down to the extraordinary stress arranging this event has caused him

Yes Paul, everyone thinks it's simple, but it's not, & everyone has a solution - a different one!

This is Event Two of Season One. Those are my thoughts. We are taking on board as much advice as we can, but as I noted earlier (but I notice nobody replied!) we have diamatretically opposing views in consecutive Posts.

I have run a number of extremely successful businesses in my time, & "early days" are always the challenging part. We are early days in APAT, & not lacking advice from every quarter. We'll get there.

Just a bit of banter with Kev Tony, I'm sure IFM will be along shortly......

Heres an idea that will please everyone. Speak to cadburys and put 210 gold tickets in a chocolate bar wrapper distribute them around the country and invite the ticket holders to a fun day out in newcastle. Only one of us will win however and not only will we have won we have learned various different morales along the way.

Correct, & quite possibly.

He knows that, we've chatted about it. Hence Tighty & me are front line today. Des has worked his socks off & no sooner had he announced than he got knocked about, but in his defence, he was the provoked, not the provoker. Two Posters made 8 Posts in less than 15 minutes on the same subject, before he'd had chance to draw breath!

Let's move on, eh? I am dealing with this MY way now, I'm the Chairman, & I'm answering every single question, with Tighty's much appreciated help.

The reason stated for doing this is so that dial-up users aren't disadvantaged.  However, I'm puzzled as to how this is achieved.  Surely, if its a case of the website going live, then broadband users will still get the info more quickly so the only thing that is achieved is that people are inconvenienced for a longer period during the 'window' (dial up users will be connected via the phone line too, thus potentially running up phone bills).

Consequently, the system developed doesn't actually solve the problem it is trying to avoid.  People trying to sign up will be inconvenienced for a longer period than if they were for a single sale time and, by delaying the announcement as to when the time/window is, they are also being given less opportunity to make plans to be available.

The underlying assumption made to justify this was that 'we'll all be sat at our PCs playing poker anyway' but that simply isn't the case for the 'typical recreational player' that APAT is aimed at.  Consequently, the people who will most likely benefit from this are the semi-pro type players who can and will be available for however long it takes to register on Saturday.  Those with jobs, hobbies, family commitments, etc will potentially be the ones who lose out because, apparently, 'they don't want it enough'.

I, like many others, missed out on the first event and didn't kick up a big fuss about it.  Chances are, under the system for event two I will miss out again unless I get lucky with the 'window of opportunity'.  That is not the reason why I raised the issue yesterday.  The fact is that the 'system' developed doesn't, as far as I can see it, solve the problem it is trying to avoid but, in an effort to please those who have requested a 'clickfest' be avoided, it inconveniences a bigger proportion of the membership in a way that could have been avoided.

Sheriff

Ahh, but some folks don't like Chocolate, so that'd be unfair, see?.......

surely then they could purchase them off ebay?

Well, the thing is, not everyone has access to a computer, see? That's unfair, too.....

but then theres the freepost address on the back of the chocolate bar that you can write to to be entered into the draw meaning you do not have to purchase the said item.

this is getting silly ... tell me ive won and we'll stop.

Sheriff, it's Event Two, Season One. Like John Duthie in EPT's Season One, we are learning, & adjusting, & finding problems we had not expected, & dealing with them. That's all we can do. Suggestions are coming in thick & fast, but had you not noticed? - the suggestions are frequently of completely opposite views!

A little patience & a little tolerance will get us all there in one piece. We will, no doubt, lose a few along the way.

..but not everyone can write...or read.

just noticed this thread.........could someone explain please what the APAT is ?  and whether professionals are allowed to enter ?

thank you

confused from Norfolk

i agree tony he was provoked but as director of apat he should be prepared for the flak that often follows and acted more proffesionally.

also tony as far as moving on i think ul find its yourself that brought up last nite to state that some members get over excited (by the 2 i gather u mean m3 and sherriff) i was just stating the over excitedness was on both sides of the apat coin member/shareholder.

and in no way is this an attack on des as i think hes a throughly nice guy and i appreciate all hes trying to do for poker and apat members.


lets move on  ;)

just got in after being rained off and the sun is now cracking the flags so can i play tikay in a 1 on 1 to get my lost wages back m8 . i think that red dog has it spot on with 2 sales and  that must keep most happy (or is that impossible). wot is the added prize this time tikay is it a ept or a wsop and good luck today apat i think your doing your best and some should appreciate the work you must be putting in you own time for free

 ;iagree; :goodpost:

Red's suggestion is excellent, but technically, very difficult indeed to set up. We shall see.

The Added Seat this time is for the 2007 WSOP Main Event in Vegas, plus Expenses.

and a fantastic achievement for apat to get this added to the prize fund  :respect:

sorry wrong buttoned.

Perhaps we should just let the ranking players enter,that would give you a better chance and we could read about the tournament later

?

Since when does asking for information/clarification in a polite manner become provocation?  I happened to be there when the email landed and responded to it.  I made two subsequent posts, one responding to M3, who hadn't at that point seen the email I was referring to, and one responding to a comment made by Kev.

Quite how that can be interpreted as to me provoking Des personally is beyond me.

Sheriff

if its a wsop thats me out then as i have a slight problem entering the states with the local sheriff good luck and all the best with this one

I said there were 8 Posts from 2 Posters in the first 15 minutes, & I think thats a bit heavy, personally. Let's agree to differ.

I'm not here to argue with folks, I'm trying to move on.

It's not a case of letting him do it, he is allowed too. If he calls out of turn but then you raise then the action has changed and he is now allowed to pass.

True yes, but would have to pay the original call amount. Hey...I'm not a pro. lol

Well no chance of me getting a seat, as since i moved house my broadband doesnt work, so i can only use internet at work or friends(definatl not on saturdays)
Can i get another player to register and pay for me?
Cheers

No he wouldn't.

Let me find out for you.

Obviously different rooms have different rules then

You deffo should not be allowed to give the chips back, thats for sure. That would be chip passing, aka, cheating.

Tikay

when are you posting the window (if u r that is) for registering tomorrow. i take it you know the time already ?????

I think that the rule of any action changing allowing him to change his mind is fine.
But some clubs say that once chips are in the pot they can't be removed.
The first one is friendlier, but does allow for angle shooting.

no, conversations with the technical people need to take place first

thanx

It was clearly extremely important to get the news out that we have an Event 2 after the delays we have suffered

We now have a few days to communicate a payout structure (almost done) and get the arrangements for Saturday right.

"tomorrow"?

Is there a misunderatanding here? The registration will be Saturday, not tomorrow. When we have decided the time window, we will let everyone know.

sorry my mistake i ment saturday

maybe judging on the first event....can anyone give me a ball park figure on when it might finish on the Sunday??....got to get back to London for Mon morning (flying hopefully).

Event 1 had 120 runners and finished at 9.30-10pm on Sunday.

this time round, more runners probably, you are looking early hours of Monday morning


Same structure...chips, clock, breaks, start and finish ( day 1)  times as Event 1

  Thanks Tighty

Thats not fair...I want to be the first to know what time the time for the seats are open  ;scarymoment;

My fears were confirmed this morning that the venue for the next event was a huge trek from where i live. Shame as i thoroughly enjoyed the first event but i haven't the time left to arrange days off work (or day lol), get babysitters etc. Then i noticed in this thread that next season an event will be held at DtD and just wondered are there going to be any events held in the south of England in future seasons?

absolutely

When things settle down I know for a fact that we'll try and get down south

Just wanted to would post my support for Des, Tikay and Tighty for all their efforts as I think that some of the criticism directed at them has been over the top.  After all, it is only a game of cards.  I noticed that some-one had suggested regional qualifiers for these live events and just wanted to augment that with the suggestion for on-line qualifiers as well.  I would have thought that a mixture of live and on-line qualifiers as well as direct buy-in should keep most APAT members happy.   Anyway, just a thought and keep up the good work.

i dont remember seeing any criticism of des, tikay or tighty !

a few have questioned the criteria regards the event in newcastle but i think u being over "sympathetic " stan if you think anyone is criticising them personally

Seem like a perfectly good plan to me....can't see what all the fuss is about. If I get a seat, fine. If I dont, I will try again next time.

If I get a seat, fine.
If I don't, I'm gonna kick and scream and swear and shout and complain to my MP and strangle the cat and pull the keys off my keyboard and burn my clothes and ... and .... and .....

Teditu!

We shall marry - tomorrow if poss - & have children - lots of them. I love you. Deeply & sincerely. No, really, I do.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 rotflmfao that could be tough tony he will have to have his tongue surgically removed from your ass first  rotflmfao

Awww, bless

APAT UPDATE:

Teditu guaranteed seat at Newcastle.

how else would they be able to make babies?  :dontask:

the stork brings them?

Oh well looks like i'm 0 for 2, can i have a refund please?

no disrespect to teditu but he looks like a member of the over 40s club and tikay's positively ancient it dows bear thinking about what type of baby they would produce  rotflmfao

I think it would be far preferable for the majority of people if the tournament went on until late on Saturday to get down to a number that could play to a moderately early conclusion on Sunday night. Everyone who enters will be hoping for a two day stay and probably won't mind a late finish Saturday whereas a late Sunday finish could give problems getting to work on Monday morning - no problem for me I can take a day's holiday - just trying to think of possible problems for other people.  ;angelic;

By the way Tikay, if it all goes wrong between you and teditu, I'll be waiting for you - I've always fancied you  ;)

still going tighty and tikay  don't let them grind you down

Useful contribution to the debate. Thanks for that.  ;boltpp;

was you at birmingham teditu  think you was on my table m8

Yes... for a short time on day 2 I think Al. :)

it was a good comp a good 2 days you joined my table late on sat i think

Right then, I'm home from work so who wants some?  :D

 ;goodvevil;

An answer to my suggestion would be most appreciated Des

I believe this is the ideal solution, but it will require a great deal of organisation.

Realistically, we need to build relationships with many other casinos like Aspers and the Broadway, so that we can put something like this into play in season two. 

That said, it's important that we get our core live events sorted before we extend to multiple qualifying tournaments.

Des.

ty for the response

Why has the www.apat.com website not been updated to include the latest arrangements?




 

Jus wanted to mention some positives for APAT live event 2 which I feel may have been lost in the debate about registration.

Capacity has increased to 210 (vs 120 at the broadway).

WSOP main event seat & all the trimmings for the winner (amazing, outstanding & unbeliveable added value for a £75 buy in).

The APAT should be congratlated on the above and for being able to stage the tournament after the issues surrounding the venues.

On the subject of registration I was one of the lucky 120 to be drawn out of the hat for the first event at the broadway and I thought the tournament was excellent from start to finish.  The feedback on the draw process has been taken on and the process changed for event 2.  Now I will be doing everything I can on Saturday to get a seat in Newcastle, but if it doesn't happen (although i will be gutted) I will have to accept that it wasn't meant to be and look forward to event 3.

I don't know how I would have felt not being drawn out for event 1 (as I was) but knowing what I would have missed now I would have been very disappointed to say the least.  At least the registration process now has my input into it and I am able to influence my selection is some way which is not the case of the draw (totally down to luck).

I have no better suggestions of how to allocate the seats and I am sure the suggestions made on this thread will be taken on and considered by the APAT for future events.  It is all part of the learning process.

I think it is important for the APAT and its future that any decisions taken are fully supported by the members to ensure the spirit and fun enjoyed at event 1 is continued into event 2 and beyond.  I am sure it will.

That's very much appreciated. Thank you.

my suggestion to how to allocate the seats is to give priority to players how have played the online series

those who have played them all get first refusaul down to those who have only played once

then the remaining seats given to those who havent played the online series

this would be the fairest policy IMHO

Yes, to echo what Tony said, as part of our email to members last night we said that the website would be updated within 24 hours.  It has been updated now and will be further updated where appropriate as the week progresses.

Des.

I sent an email to Des and Tikay at their respective APAT E-mail addresses but have yet had no reply. I think I may as well have posted it on here and I would of got a reply to my questions a lot quicker, instead I thought I would go through the APAT with my questions.

When did you send it James?  I've just checked customer@apat.com and des@apat.com, and have not received an email from you at either today.

I'd like to think we were pretty quick at responding to emails, so please resend and I will get on it.

Regards,

Des.

So I take it that you do not think that people who missed out on the first ballot should get their chance to play the second event before those who did.

I'm interested to read your reasoning, as some may well have been disillusioned by the fact that they did not get to play at Broadway.

This is a bit odd - I have no unreplied e-Mails in my APAT e-mail inbox whatsoever. Neither do I have any unreplied e-mails on APAT matters in my blonde e-addy or persona e-addy. What address do you have for me? And, though I guess it's not relavant, what name did you use to write to me? - I'm assuming it was not "Fkying Pig"!

Anyway, now we are in touch, as it were, how can I help, what is your question?

Ooops...I've just done a double take on your ID.  I thought it was FlyingPig (one of our final tablists from Birmingham goes under that ID), however it's FkyingPig.  I'm afraid I do not know who you are either!

Cheers,

Des.

Edit - having looked at a couple of your blonde posts it is now clear that it is FlyingPig!  How can we help you James?

FkyingPig's Post - clearly a misunderstanding - still has the potential to plant the seed in peoples minds that Des & I do not always reply promptly to e-mails to our APAT e-addresses.

As I am sure that anyone who has written to either of us will confirm, we both reply promptly to ALL e-Mails addressed to or APAT addresses. There are no exception to this.

me too, and I have no outstanding emails in my inbox

lol wonder how many you've played iron ?

Spot on Tikay, I send an email last night and received a prompt reply this morning.

Des has always been quick to reply to my emails any time of day

I sent Des & Tikay an email about helping me out with my Nigerian bank account ... they never replied to me !! ;)

but we posted them on here for Julian to use

and me neither, no outstanding emails

I have re-sent the email, and apologise for my comments on the fourm if it hasnt been received for any reason.

In my previous e-mails to the APAT team they have always been quick to respond.

As to the username, it was a TYPO it was meant to say FlyingPig - Which is my Pokerstars name, and I cannot change it because we are only allowed to join once.. Ah well....

Hope my apologies are accepted..

Thanks - but I still don't have it!

No need to apologise, these things happen.

Got it now!!

An admin can change the name for you though :)

I think this is an important point, those that were lucky first time around should not have the same chance, this has been mentioned in this thread earlier, can we (members) have a response please??

I would still like to know if i can have a refund as i cannot be messing about on Saturday.

I am sure a refund will not be a problem ifm, this has been stated on previous threads, the last time you were considering it. An email to customer@apat.com will suffice I am sure.

As to Event 1 participants being penalised by not being allowed in to Event 2 * I personally completely disagree with this

Event 1 had a one off ballot for special reasons, Event 2 has a more normal registration process and I think all members should apply on equal terms should they so wish, just as all who wanted to be sol were in the ballot

* on equal terms that is

Received and responded to.

Regards,

Des.

Come on Tighty, nobody is suggesting that those who played in the first live event should not be allowed to play in this one and I'm sure that not even you actually believe this to be the argument.

The suggestion is simply that those who missed out in the first ballot should have a prior option to play in this event.

No, so wrong, you were going to do a "more normal registration process" for event 1, popular opinion made you decide against that, yet you think that popular opinion has changed obviously.

From a personal point of view i missed the first time (i was unlucky) this time however i cannot be unlucky as i will not be available therfore i am excluded, thanks for that.

Capacity (could be) is the problem and you have decided (amongst yourselves (again obviously)) that this is not addressable (sp?) this time either so we are (again) left with a dodgy (i do not mean this personally!!!!!!) registration process.

I also would like an update on dik9's comment on the apa part of the apat, thanks in advance xxx

yes I know Karabiner

I said "on equal terms" at the bottom of my post


I don't believe that suggestion is either fair to those who won out in the ballot or would justify the logistical/organisational complications for us

how can we be to blame for when you are and are not available?

and I'll get Des to address the association developments

ta

In that case you may find that the ballot is the deciding factor in the rankings.

LOL, now that IS funny :D

at the end of seven live events and over 20 online events, I hope not

I accept totally though that in a perfect world the entry procedures for all events would have been identical (ie no randomness in Event 1 entry)

*Cough*

I have just emailed Des to ask him to update you

In ten minutes time you can cough again to remind us  :D

He was viewing the thread at the time.........................

i've missed a few

reply deleted on grounds of my excess and inappropriate sarcasm ifm!   8)

goodnight!

The only fair way is to do it by age... youngest people get first choice IMO

It's a straightforward question though, what changed your opinion?

I for one was first to vent my frustration at this registration process - which is nothing but a joke I might add,,,

HOWEVER,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Des has "in black and white" responded to my idea of a solution and has aknowledged (sp?) this to be the ideal solution but does have its problems in the implimentation of.

I would hope that (as Des has indicated) that somewhere down the line, that suggested process of seat allocation will come into effect. Until it does, I do not see any way the APAT will not continue to upset some (if not most) of its members , but is powerless to do otherwise.

Having read over this thread many times, it is clear that they (being the APAT) have a very long way to go to get things right (my opinion I know but seems to be shared by many others) BUT it is also clear that they ARE trying to get things right, and without them, would anyone have a chance (however remote at the moment) to get a EPT/WPT/WSOP package for £75?

Apologies for the tone of my first post - although the sentiments still remain.

I can see things are changing (as previously pointed out by other people) but just not as quick as I would like - but then again, I have always been impatient.

Good luck guys,,,,, I am genuinely behind the "idea" of the APAT and am trying to help, in my own way, which I know sometimes is seen as a form of stirring - but it truely isnt.

and i wonder how old you are?

He aint old enough to go to vegas :D

 :goodpost: paul

yeah but i know someone who is  ;)

I'm sorry you feel that the registration process  is "a joke" Paul. As I've tried to explain on countless occasions, interested parties have completely opposing views, & what suits one is completely unaceptable to others. So it's pretty sad that you deem our efforts a joke, but it is what it is I guess. 

ITB, not all seem to think it was a good post m8.

Tony, I am sorry you feel that way. I will say no more on the subject on this or any other forum.

I have tried and tried to put my thoughts into words, seems I have failed yet again.

theres another potential problem.

what happens if rookie or someone else under 21 wins the event? is the wpt package transferable? will they be offered an alternative prize? or will they lose that prize to the highest placed ovr 21yo?

Guys, I'm afraid that's it for the night from me. I've been on the APAT case since around mid-morning Tuesday, that's 13 hours straight, and I'm very tired. I still have questions from ifm & Karabiner to deal with, & I promised to answer every question, but they will have to wait until tomorrow. (Wednesday). I have the patience of a Saint, but it's tough to deal with peeps telling us it's a joke when you have been on the case 13 hours straight.

It's a game of poker, for recreational players. That's all.

Goodnight all.

I think this compulsory involvement with APAT is a disgrace.

IMHO, people who are upset, annoyed or frustrated by it should be allowed to ignore it completely.

goodnight

you have explained yourself paul and apologised for your hot headedness u can do no more.

i also think the registration process is although not necessary a joke but imo a bad one.

the powers that be at apat were never gonna please everyone whichever method they chose, we just fall into the category of those not happy.

If an under 21 won the WSOP Package, we'd make sure he or she got the full value of their prize, one way or another.

tony i think u being a bit harsh on m3 all he is sayin is he thinks the registration processes is a joke not the whole apat set up.

hes entitled to his opinion and im sure its an opinion shared by many maybe though not in such a strong worded fashion.

just like paul said im completly behind what the apat are trying to achieve as well and hopefully with these discussions things will improve further down the line.

also tony when u find the time could you or one of your colleagues address the under 21 issue regards the wsop package

sleep well tony and thanks for your hard work as always.

thanks tony u answered it whilst i was typing now get to bed

 :goodpost:  innivotive as usual Red

One last thing, I apologise for using the word "joke" - seems to have caused a bit of a reaction. It was not meant to be an attack or to be detremental to any memebr of the APAT - It was just my opinion that the registartion process was less than an ideal method.

So apologies once again - I am really bad with expressing myself - as I have proved yet again.

Thank you Paul.

"Less than ideal" - I could not agree more, & we are working to find the best solution - believe me, it is not as easy as some think.

 

Sorry Red Dog, but I cant ignore it?

I am one of the frustrated ones, I have so far been told that this will be the association that I will inevitably, have to have their "endorsement" ,to hold a decent competition. I can't play and soooo want something like this to succeed for the industry, I would like to join, but all i see is the opportunity to play a very decent added value comp. This is all about the tour!! If it was purely an association, we would now be somewhere forward, even just a little bit as we would be debating different things. As it is, all that has been talked about is the Tour

" The Association
The Association aspires to represent the interests of all non professional players in the UK. The APAT will engage government and industry bodies to enhance the player experience; with standardisation of rules, player friendly structures and the provision of a clear communication channel for player feedback at the top of our agenda.

In addition, the APAT will seek to negotiate commercial sponsorship agreements to bring significant additional prize value to the game, for the benefit of our Members. "


The rules aren't even finished?
(http://img319.imageshack.us/img319/6686/apatrulesas6.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

"Tables will be broken in a posted order / manner and available to all players, however; due to certain circumstances." ....................

due to certain circumstances what??

The more i read about the tour, the more wound up i get! Absolutely no doubt that the added prize/s are 100% fantastic, but there are some more important issues going on in the cardroom world that will completely screw players and some have been touched on lightly in a different thread. i.e. no cap on fees that can be charged to tournament players BY THE HOUR (not just the once) For example £20 freezeout can now cost you £20 + £2 and on top of that it could cost you £5 an hour per person that remains in the comp!! I originally thought it was a one off fee but have been told differently (and i was opposed to the one off fee for casino's). Have you got the outs to discuss this with "government and industry bodies" and what are your members views? This does not affect just amateurs either?

The example is slightly extreme but IS allowed, it "could" happen, it is already creeping in. Poker will be pushed further underground again if it does though.
Your thoughts apaT.....

I have already said that I have asked Des/tikay to update you all on the Association's progress.  Understandably though, with the announcement of our second event overdue and complications with the original venue we have been working flat out to ensure delivery on that immediate need for our members and forums have been concentrating on tour not association issues..

However, your association questions (dik9, ifm) will be answered soon I am sure

I will address this, & ifm's similar question, tomorrow, time permitting.

Your question earlier today was noted, but it has been, understandably, a little busy this last 24 hours. Bear with us please.

Please go to bed.  ;sleep;

No problems sir, I understand that i am being a pain, but i am pulling my hair out with frustration, but understand that you would like to get this event over first. Can we have a decent debate after Aspers event entries are sorted please?

Not gonna happen here :(

Good morning all              Tikay or Des...... Just a little thought which was touched on, but not answered.....  What happens to people like my sister(who played in event one) and my mother(who watched the whole two days of event one and who wants to join and play in event two) who dont even own a computer?  Is that just hard luck or can I purchase as many seats as I want and pass them on?    Thanks....  The Cowboy, Kidderminster...

thinking of entering..... how do I become a member of the amateur association poker tour?

You can have the debate any time you wish Rich, & we have, if you recall, asked you to meet with us to discuss APAT. But right now, this very 24 hours, is not the best time. The picture you paint of our Association's progress is a little unfair in my opinion, so yes, we ought to talk so we can correct the misunderstandings (in my opinion) you appear to have.

Hi Chris,

Try "www.apat.com"

Good Question! I will speak with Des & see how we can deal with this. It's a fair question.

Please pass on my best regards to your beauitiful Sister, & to your delightful Mum.

On the 1st APAt thread I suggested regional and on-line qualifiers with 10-20% of the seats guaranteed and also at least the winner and a couple of the other final tablists to be given a seat at the next event.On this thread I asked what if someone didnt have a computer none of which recieved any reply, so all of these were my ideas and you cant use them.... unless I get a seat

coz I have just been reminded I am away all weekend and cant apply  ;grr;

but  ;goodluck; to all those that do get a seat

Thanks Tikay, I will pass on your kind words to my family....hope to see you in Newcastle....

I've only read half this thread so I won't comment specifically, but I think people should remember the disastrous start that the EPT had. Remember Barcelona anyone? 11-handed tables, people being turned away etc, complete shambles. But it was all part of the learning curve and only their first season, so mistakes are inevitable. Look at them now though. With a combination of constructive criticism and hard work they have turned it around and are now putting on quite possibly the best comps Europe has to offer.

So please take this into consideration when discussing APAT. They have your best interest's at heart and I'm sure they'll learn from these early outings in such a way that will enable each event to be better than the last.

As the APAT membership inevitably grows, I agree that live regional qualifiers are the way forward as opposed to online qualifiers. The purpose of the association was to give rank amateurs like myself the opportunity to play live poker in casinos across the country. To this end, the inaugral event in Birmingham was a huge success. From a personal viewpoint, I wouldn't have swapped my experience of that weekend for anything.
God knows how hard the APAT crew have been working to get this off the ground, but I think we have all seen the difficulties they face these past couple of weeks or so. Just finding one suitable venue has seemingly proved hard enough, so locating numerous, regional venues is going to be one hell of a headache.
Obviously I don't know how high the membership is currently running but I can see it reaching thousands fairly quickly. As and when the numbers grow, the APAT crew are going to find it increasingly harder to satisfy demand. Hopefully, in the future, potentail venues will be calling the APAT team rather than the other way around.
I don't envy the job that Tikay, Des, Tightend et al are doing but I wish them every success, and as a member, I am behind them 100% of the way.

 :goodpost:

Snoopy is right of course, we know APAT have our best interests at heart....and we all know at this early stage its a learning curve, and so thats why suggestions and constructive criticism are important......if they they dont want to take them onboard its up them ....they set out the stall and we can either buy or not.

Over subscription to the first event meant a lottery to get a seat.....fair enough....it was great to see how popular the APAT was .

The solution for the second event was to be a larger venue/more days...so everyone who wanted could enter...unfortunately this fell through....no problem, these things happen.

 Another venue is found, but numbers although increased in capacity,numbers will still be limiited to less than the membership...., so I would have expected the APAT to let the members who missed out first time to have first refusal. It would mean the vast majority of members would have at least one chance to play live,(keeping everyone happy!) and be fair to those fighting for ranking points. It would also mean seats could be sold at a set time because there would be less members trying for a seat.

Fair enough the suggestion was rejected.... its not the end of the world, we agree to differ.

I'm sure Newcastle will be a great weekend...good luck to all those going and there is no doubt the APAT with all the added value , is going to be a great success,.....especially once DTD opens!!


PS thanks to Richard and Tikay for their mararthon session yesterday! ;applause;.....an example of why the APAT will win through in the end  :)up

Pardon my ignorance but what and/or where is DTD?

http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=3985.0


try the link foggy hope you got a few hours to spare.

dtd probably the most exciting thing to happen to british poker for many years

We identified very quickly after launch that we were going to have tremendous demand, much more than we mistakenly identifed in our pre-launch planning phase, and that a clickfest would be unpopular and unfair to some without broadband. We knew there were different ways to sell the tickets and agreed that we would trial a ballot for event 1. Subsequently we agreed that we used first come, first served for event 2. By setting a window and not a single time we think we have a system that avoids the downsides of a clickfest and the randomness of a ballot.

A lot of useful suggestions are on this thread for the future...regional qualifiers, online qualifiers etc etc. As our scale grows we will undoubtedly be in a position to implement some of these ideas. Indeed we are already investigating the organisational and cost implications of some of the feedeback

As to the Association points, I believe tikay wants to pick those up and answer them and although his online time is limited until the weekend I am sure he will do so soon.

Finally, just to remind everyone we will announce a payout schedule (amended from Event 1 due to your feedback), slightly amended start times for the comp to ensure we finish early enough on Sunday night (Ripple11's feedback) and a window of time during which the tickets will go on sale on Saturday in the next day or so. There will be no need for anyone to be glued to their PC all day on Saturday once we have given a rough indication of time. Whilst there will be no time that will suit everyone, we'll continue to listen and discuss your ideas.

now them's the wisest words in this thread they is.

Tighty I'm confused that whereas you "thought that a clickfest would be unwise and unfair" for the Broadway, you have now decided that it is ok for this 2nd event.

I'm also confused (I know I'm getting on in years) that although Tikay has said that in his opinion you will not sell out this time you still all seem opposed to allowing those who missed out in the ballot last time, first option of a place in this next event. Why would that be ?

Quite simply I don't think it is a clickfest...there won't be one set time when registration opens (If I/we are wrong, I apologise that was the view)

Your second point, we may or may not sell out. That aside its a discrete event from Event 1 with everyone having the choice of buying in while seats are available. Its been a huge effort to get the event on after the complications with the original venue and there are big organisational complications in going the route you suggested at the short lead times we are operating to with our technical people.

so how many apat members are there at this moment?
just so i can put into perspective what the chance of getting a seat is?

Cheers

into four figures


Personally, I think there will be seats available after day 1...my figure above includes those who play the online events only, for some Newcastle will be too far etc

Remember Daniel was way down the reserve list for Event 1 and got in anyway.

tighty

sorry please excuse my ignorance but how are you to avoid a clickfest this time?
say you decide to open the "window"for tickets at 11am til 3pm wont the clickfest just be at 11am?

no different than 12.01am in my opinion.

if we set 11am to 3pm for example I wouldn't imagine that tickets will be on sale at 11.01am.

its just to avoid people having to give up a whole day, which was the complaint about 36 hours ago, 19 pages back

oh i see now you will open sales at some point between the times you say ok i get it  rotflmfao


can u not make it after 1.30pm then mate have a footie tournie  rotflmfao

message received, and likely ignored  ;nana;

Although the ballot is random - it's fair.  Everyone who wants to play has an equal chance of being selected.  This is not the case with the 'ticket office' approach for the next event.

Then there is the question of those who don't make it into one event - how to ensure that they get to play at least 1 in 2 (or 1-in-3 or 1-in-4) events.  That goes back to what I said about the London Marathon entry process.  Every year they have over 100,000 people applying for 30,000 places.   Not everyone's going to be happy.  They don't operate on a fastest finger approach, and instead use the ballot process.  After a certain number of unsuccessful applications you are guaranteed entry.

So yes, people will be disappointed - but only by the result of their application, not by the process which is fair.  They will also have the knowledge that they will be guaranteed entry somewhere down the line.


I did get in from 69th position on the reserve list - so I was fortunate to get a place.  I'd also resigned myself to not being able to play, but accepted that as fair, and the ballot as being the most equal way of allocating places. 

If the Newcastle event was a ballot and I didn't get a seat, I would also view that as fair.

However, this weekend I'm away - and will hopefully have Internet access on Saturday evening (if the hotel has it) - otherwise it will be late Sunday night or Monday morning.  For me it would be beneficial if it was on Monday so I could access the site whilst I'm at work.  But that might not help someone else who can't access the site during the day.  Which is why I think the ballot system is fairer - as it doesn't matter when people can make the application, just as long as they do. 

The ballot system can be tweaked and tailored to make it work even better, e.g. to take into account people who have played online events, finished in the points (as another prize - they still have to pay, but they get a guaranteed place), those who busted out early in a previous event (like a wooden spoon prize), etc.

All in all though, this isn't an issue for anyone to lose any sleep over.  The APAT and the events are bigger than this one issue, and it will undoubtedly be a success if some of us on here can't make this event.

All debate and opinion is good to help the APAT make the best decisions, and that's what forums are for.

Or something like that.

Stars have confirmed that should we get an under 21yo winner they will replace the WSOP package with a seat in the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo in March

APAT will be sending out a newsletter tonight to members giving

1. two hour window for the time seats go on sale on Saturday
2. Payout structure for the event
3. Details of timings of the comp to allow for a suitable finish time on Sunday for those working on Monday


I will post those details on here later. (glutton for punishment!)

Finally, Maestro has been addeed as a payment option for the seats

Why no Neteller, is it difficult to hook up ?

Just got the E-mail. December the 2nd 2pm start? This could change everything. I am gob smacked that the majority of complaints have been wiped out apart from demand.

1st - £3,750 

2nd - £2,500

3rd - £1,500

4th to 10th - £750 each

11th to 21st - £250 each


i kinda like that payout struture for an amateur event

only hope there will be seats still left for sale when i get back from dublin

Yes, in a word. Negotiations with them have been prolonged, prolonged further no doubt by the US legislative situation.

We sincerely hope to have them as a payment option for future events

The aim is to have four extra levels on the first day compared to event 1. One at 2pm, three after the midnight close of day 1 in Birmingham.This reflects the possibility of 210 not 120 players and therefore to enable Day 2 to close well before midnight to allow all those travelling long distances fortunate enough to go deep in the comp a chance for some sleep before work on Monday

there was a lot of criticsm after Event 1 about the top-heaviness of the payout. We took that on board.

Event 2 will pay out 10% of the field and the winner will receive 24% of the prize pool down from 50% in the first event, second 16& and third 10%

The top 10, guaranteed a return of ten times their investment, will all comfortably cover expenses and then some and hopefully those 11th-21st should too. 

Finally the window during which seats go on sale on Saturday will be 6-8pm.

I know no time is perfect, but this is chosen to allow people the chance to go about their business, go to afternoon football (one piece of feedback!) etc and also so as not to take up everyone's Saturday night too.

I'm washing my hair 6-8 FFS.   ;)

Cheers for letting us know.

Good luck to all APA members in getting a seat.

(http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/6148/popcorn4jj.gif) at about 8:30/9:00...watch this space.

Sorry Tikay, you know I support what you're trying to do, but I sure as heck don't envy ya!  I will say this...fair play to ya!  You seem to have knocked out any complaints bar the demand all in one day.  Well done on that!   Just remember...'don't sweat the stick'...it'll all be grand in the end.  ;)

Like the new payout structure and obviously the WSOP entry adds massive value, but shouldn't everyone who cashes receive at least 1 point to the rankings? Prize money goes down to 21st but the points start at 18th.

Just a thought not a criticism.

Hope to make it again as the first event was excellent.

Hopefully will have a seat, look forward to meeting a few of you guys again.

I plan to be a long way away from a Pc!


Seriously though, good luck to all in getting a seat Saturday night.

I'm out already :(

My company announced today that we've lost our main customer and that their will be redundancies, so I can't plan any financial expenditure until I know where I stand.

Good luck to all those who are in the race for a seat though.

what sort of work do you do and which area might you be looking for  work in? my company is hiring (telecomms consultancy..looking for surveyors and all them good people..and engineers. if you are in that field drop me a pm.

I like the payout but unfortunately i'm taking the kids to a firework display Saturday evening so no good for me, good luck.

I would think ifm that there will be seats available beyond early Saturday evening, though I could be wrong.

Please try when you get back if you'd like to play at Newcastle.

Same goes for anyone else...just because you might not be online early Saturday evening doesn't mean there is no hope.

Wow, leave the country for a few days & come back to an APAT 20 pager!

First of all congrats on negotiating a WSOP package as an added prize, securing a first class venue with larger capacity in Aspers & implementing a better payout structure  ;hattip;

However not to sure about the allocation of seats. Saturday at any time seems a strange choice to me. This weekend I'm in Dublin for the ICHUC, if I wasn't there I'd be at the footy etc. although I do realise that you'll never please everyone with dates & times. I know you got a lot of stick for the "raffle" system used for event 1 but it still seems a fairer way to me.

I think Ironside makes a good point about some sort of priority given to the players who support the online events which very rarely get 200 runners even though the membership is over 4 figures. This would obviously encourage more players in future online events

on a teacakey note - Tunnocks are on Strike! We can get any deliveries of them where I work!
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5058774.html
do you have any teacakes?

Bang goes my sponsorship deal  :dontask:, must dash to the supermarket to stock up, I'll see what I can do for you yt  ;)

Mac users can still play on stars.

You can get a pc emulator for a Mac that will run any windows software on it, windows do a free version.

Google is your friend.......

Someone earlier on this thread asked if you could buy a seat using a card that wasn't in your name. Apologies if I'm wrong but I don't remember a reply. I may need to buy one for my mate so I'd like to know if possible please.

Jack

Have we all got new batteries in our wireless mice and keyboad?? Hard wired ones at the ready just in case??

What is the keyboard shortcut for refresh?

Can we change our windows setting to refresh every 15 seconds??

ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!! ;sexybanana;

Just covering all angles.........

procedural PMs have been sent to the 3 people who have asked about this.

answer is "yes, but we'd like to keep it to a minimum"

Should any information that is given to one member be available to all members. If the APAT has informed one member of a particular procedure it surely should inform all members of said procedure?

Just a thought about information being shared throughout the members of the APAT..

fair point.

anyone who asked specifically got a response.

Thanks Tighty for fielding the replies while I have been away these last 3 days, & well done for handling them so well. You should be our PR man......

As to the question(s) about the Association, which dik9 &, I think, ifm asked, I will try & answer these once again tomorrow. I did so on a previous APAT thread, but I can't find it now. Bear with me, it was an "open" question, & thus, by necessity, & to keep the answer in context, the reply will be extremely long. In the interim, be absolutely assured, our aspirations for the Association side of things remain valid, & the planning & behind-the-scenes work in this respect continues unabated.

Hope you didn't make ir 6-8 'cos of my feedback . Had a letter from hospital and I'm in for a operation week before APAT tourny so can't go now :(

I am thinking od buying 10 seats for the live comp in Newcastle, and sell them on E bay. 

1) can I do this under APAt rules?
2) is it morally acceptable?
3) how much profit margin should I be looking for?
4) I am only joking ;nana;

Hi Dewi,

Having seen requests for Birmingham seats at above face value on another forum in September, it would not surprise me if somebody doesn't see this as a possible opportunity!

That said, I believe we have this covered...in that whoever purchases a seat will need to input the name of the player the seat is intended for, as part of the purchase process. 

So for example, that will enable you to purchase a seat for another member, or someone else to purchase one for you (which may be helpful to Neteller or Switch account holders) - but in either case, the player's name will need to be confirmed at the time of payment. 

Cheers,

Des.

Any rumour as to when i can buy :)

meant to be on sale now. anyone had any luck?

what happened to 6pm?

as we said specifically in the run up, the seats go on sale BETWEEN 6PM-8PM, not at 6pm precisely.

Could you be a bit more specific?   ;scarymoment;

Badly worded. 6.01 is between 6 and 8pm.

why badly worded? 6.01pm is indeed between the two times. So is 7.59pm.


Meanwhile, my MSN is literally humming.


Good luck everyone

My money is on 6.37

Not even  sure im clicking in the right place  :dontask:

it can be interpreted two ways, that's why.

my wife thinks ive gone mad ass im staring at the computer clicking refresh every 5 seconds  >:?

We should have run a spread on the correct time! £1 for each minute, winner takes all!

Why are we waiting, oh why are we waiting, why are we waiting etc,etc,etc

well its up but the pay button doesnt go anywhere.

6:46

and its down again. lol

Im going out to pick up our dinner.

The mrs is on APATwatch... Ive given her full training in the use of the F5 key.

What page are we meant to be looking at?

The Home Page, i think

http://www.apat.com/APAT0002.html

While we're waiting we could have a chorus of

One Craig Gordon, theres only one craig gordon... if you don't follow scottish football you probably won't get the joke.

6.42

Being thick i havent a clue what i'm looking for when it does happen !!! help please  :(

Looks like a false start - back to the old message again now.

Man i wish i had the power of the webmaster... keeping all these people waiting and temporarily putting the page up then taking it away... YOU TEASE!

TY guys

Now its timing out oh god the end the end is nigh.

really got to go out to pickup takeaway.

Sophie's mum has just announced 'tea's ready!' with impeccable timing.

Um, perhaps that wasn't the best time  for me to give Des a ring....


They are sorting it.

Could I suggest that next time you add " that the seats will go on sale SOMETIME between 6 and 8pm

hehehe..I think everyone who's ever wqatched scottish footie thinks it's a joke mate ;)

Bought one - Woohoo!  Now give me food!

See you in Newcastle guys :)

whoohoo, see you all their.

EXACTLY

Whoever thought of this must be a genius! This is more fun than playing! Are there any ranking points available to the first person to book their seat? ;D

I'm in.

Bloody hell I feel like Ive won already.

See you all in Newcastle!

I'm in...I think ;applause; ;applause;

Where do I go to buy one. Page isn't refreshing.... and quite possibly neither is my subscription renewal next year.

Sorted  ;D can sort the little darlings out now  ::)

See you all there...  ;karabiner;

So who knows of a decent (cheap) hotel near to the casino?

http://www.apat.com/APAT0002.html

http://www.apat.com/APAT0002.html

Break out the Newcasle Brown Ale................see you there folks

I have no option to pay!!!! It just shows the same screen I've been looking at all day and I'm in the middle of a HORSE tournament.

I bought three tickets!!! I only meant to buy two :( Is it possible to cancel one of them?

CTRL and F5 to refresh.....u need to be quick!

So once we got the email confirming receipt of our 75 smackeroos we are in???

WooooHoooooooo

wayaye man!!!!!

i am in

if your using firefox refresh doesnt seem to be working

i am on strange laptop and had to use IE to get page to refresh

LOL.. some people are never pleased! It clearly says in previous pages (i dont know where, and cant be bothered to look) that they will go on sale at sometime between 6 and 8. Try reading posts properly.

On a side note, i managed to get a seat for me and a mate.

I too have a seat, think the tickets went on sale around 18.29pm ?

If anyone can reccomend a place to stay, it would be appreciated.

ps thats ironside for those that have guessed

YEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAA.

Sorted..............I'm off to the fireworks. ;tk;

i got 2

anyone with any problems like this please email customer@apat.com

If you have bought a seat for another member, please email the same address to confirm the member you have bought for

Ta

I was lucky to get a seat (hopefully) as I kept refreshing http://www.apat.com/schedule.html (http://www.apat.com/schedule.html) and someone's forgotten to update it despite the fact it says:

"When available, select the "Now" link in the schedule below to purchase a tournament entry."

Could have cost me my place!!!!

Jack

I think I'm in. A payment's been made anyway.

yay, me and the missus are in!

Sorry Jack...very good point and it is being updated and put live now....every system I have is sounding alarms!

Excellent news !  See you there !

 :hello: payment made

£25ish B&B would be ideal

Any Leicester Blondes fancy sharing travelling costs?

Hi, I have ben trying to apply for this since 6.30ish and just get this message :

Cookies Disabled
We were unable to proceed as you have cookies disabled. To complete your payment go to your browser settings and enable cookies, press the 'back' button on your browser to go back and try again.

I have enabled my cookies but keep getting the same message.  I havent heard back from support and dont want 2 miss out on this 1 like I did the last.  Any help would B appreciated.

Ta
 
 
 

Try to lower your security settings in IE I also think there is a checkbox to alow cookies.....

Its located in Tools- Internet - Privacy

I think.....

Try going to Internet Options and deleting Cookies and Temporary Files - it could be cached

Oh well, im too late... Thanks for your help and advice tho.  I changed my settings but still the same problem.  Ive never ad this problem before and buy online most days.  Just typical that it had 2 go wrong today.

I started clicking at 6.00 sharp - 7.00 and still no registration screen, I then get a call from a friend who has got his seat, still I get no joy. Finally at 7.11 it lets me attempt to register but fails me on 3 different cards all with ample credit on them. to add to this, the system locks me out!

Entry has now closed and I am so frustrated that I could scream - what has happened?

I missed out oin the lottery for the first live event and now I have no seat despite doing everything correct

What can be done?

Desperatly dissapointed

Hi Skaro.

The exaxct same happened to me. All i can suggest is emailling customer@apat.com and ask to be on the reserve list. No idea what happened with my PC but all my mates got in too.

I mailed them after the system locked me out. there has to be a fairer way

entry hasn't closed yet, they are resolving a problem with the payment link that happened about 7pm

As soon as I have news, I'll post it

Exactlt same happened to me, have emailed support by no reply yet.  Tightend, can you help please?

Guys

Sorry these are my first posts on Blonde, I thought that this was the best way to find out what happened, I love the APAT but it is very frustrating

I also rang Metacharge but the lines are closed till Monday. Thats customer service!

I fully appreciate the frustration and apologise. Even if the majority of people seem to have purchased tickets with no problems it seems there are problems elsewhere for a few.

I've put the call into the team, as soon as I have any news I'll post it

As of a few minutes ago, the event was not sold out.  

i have bin on and all i get in entry closed

Are we able to reserve a seat before they sell out?

temporarily it is.

I now know what Charlie felt like when he got the Golden Ticket!!!!!!!


Stroll On!!

I'll ask but the honest answer is at the moment I don't know

I am on the end of a phone line, not quite as frustrated as you guys but in the dark too

Thanks for all your efforts Richard, frustrated is one word for how I am feeling right now...

Yes thanks, its not your fault but someone has to fly through the flak.

If we can reserve a place that would be good, I have repetitive strain injury from mouse clicking now and a seat would make it better ;)

If the registration comes back online I am locked out of the payment company for failed payments, so how could I pay for my seat using this method?

I would think that to be fair to APAT members who don't read this forum, that since it says entry closed and that they will assume it is sold out... that the remaining seats should not now go on sale until an email has been sent to all members advising of a new release time window.

Edit: OK ignore this... just read the announcement on the APAT site.

Hey skaro dont worry too much mate. Im sure it is going to be dealt with.

That is a valid point, I am all for fairness, I cant argue with your logic, however we may then find players that didnt even bother to attempt reg tonight get a seat and leave the ones with tonights problem who did attempt without a seat still

Im pretty sure thats why they have put a halt on sales.

i agree it should not open back up until apat has sent an email out informing all members of the problem and a new reg time and date

Jeez, I must sound like a proper whinger, sorry if I come accross that way tonight, its not meant to be critisism, APAT are doing things for the first time so I expect some teething troubles. :)

What announcement is this?  When I view the apat site its still gives the NOW option to pay (which fails).  Can someone explain.  Cheers

Good Idea, but I go on holiday on Thursday morning so preferably before then

http://www.apat.com/APAT0002.html

Ah, got it now...

UK Amateur Poker Championship
Tournament Entry is now closed.

 

Please note we are experiencing a technical difficulty with our payment provider. If you have experienced payment failure, then the order in which you attempted to purchase your tournament seat has been recorded.

  

Once the technical difficulty has been resolved, the few remaining tournament seats will be allocated in strict chronological order.

 

APAT will send a newsletter to those members who have experienced payment failure, confirming the outcome of their purchase attempt.

 

APAT apologises for any inconvenience.

there is going to be fireworks tonight and not just round the bonfire apat statement UK Amateur Poker Championship
Tournament Entry is now closed.

 

Please note we are experiencing a technical difficulty with our payment provider. If you have experienced payment failure, then the order in which you attempted to purchase your tournament seat has been recorded.

  

Once the technical difficulty has been resolved, the few remaining tournament seats will be allocated in strict chronological order.

 

APAT will send a newsletter to those members who have experienced payment failure, confirming the outcome of their purchase attempt.

 

APAT apologises for any inconvenience.

Well i was 6:55 payment failure... lets compare times :)

OK here is the update

At around 7pm there was a failure at the Payment provider. After that time we had a lot of people try to enter who would have had a "Payment Declined" Message

We are now going to, with Metacharge asap...when their people are on site etc etc, manually go through the list of declines and will turn declines into accepts in time of payment order until the event is full.

Everyone will then be informed

It is thus extremely likely that the event is now full.



 

 

just after 7, but I didnt get the option to reg till then, whereas my mate got his seat at 6:50 ish

Tightend, Thanks for thew info, just one question more. Why did the APAT site not let some of us access the reg page untill after 7:0 despite constant refreshing?

as far as we were concerned it was open to everyone from 6.29pm onwards until it failed. Nobody was restricted.

I first tried about 6.40 ish, not sure when it failed though.

around 7pm I am told

mine went through 18.41

Blimey, i must have tried quite literally as it went live !

Now, if only i can transfer that luck into my poker......

TightEnd, thanks for the update and responding to all the queries, things at apat HQ must have been hectic tonight!!!

Hope I got in early enough to get a seat at Newcastle, had a really crappy day.  Firstly my broadband connection goes down at 5.37pm, cue frantic search for dial up cable to get online, which managed to do by 6.  Then all the problems with the payments I was thinking it wasn't meant to be....

mine went through 18.40

All I can say is I genuinely feel for all those experiencing difficulties tonight.

The difficulties were with Metacharge, the third party payment provider but its still our show and I am sure some people feel let down. Sorry.

I know it will be probably stoke more APAT controversy, unavoidable in the circumstances, as well as a few "I told you so's".

We'll inform all those who experienced a "Payment Decline" message as soon as we possibly can. I sincerely hope as many of those as possible make it in.

If the payment method provided by another party fails, it is not yours and the APA's fault.

These things happen and normally at the wrong ruddy time.

I know you guys will do your best for the members who are unsure as to if they have a seat or not and let them know asap.

I presume mine went fine. I paid using Switch and it took my payment first time at around 6:15. Fingers crossed

Lol, 6.15?? Before they even opened the link ?!

He was quick on the draw, it was open at 6.15 for about 30 seconds before the first problem

I love it when a plan comes together ;first;

I had the window open at 6.15 for payment but it would not let me pay. Then at 6.29 the link opened again, and it let me register successfully thank god....Well thanks to the APAT team not God..

I hope all the APAT team and members stick with it because we all look forward these events and I am guessing by tonights demand for seats they know they are on to great thiings. Imagine how good these events will be in season 2 and 3.

Further update

Unfortunately, tournament entry had to be withdrawn due to technical difficulties with our payment provider.  At the point of failure, 21 minutes into the selling period, APAT had received 128 authorised payments, and a further 36 which could not be authorised. 

Metacharge assure us that the payments which they were unable to authorise, will be manually authorised early next week.  I can confirm, subject to the successful authorisation of the 36 outstanding payments, the following players have been allocated a seat at the UK Amateur Poker Championship in Newcastle on December 2nd & 3rd.

APAT apologises for any inconvenience caused.  Please note, we have had several  emails regarding this, and hope that this communication clarifies the situation.
As a result of the above problems, 46 seats remain unsold.  They will be put on sale via www.apat.com, on Wednesday evening at 9.00pm.

Seat Confirmed

Graeme Morl
Robert Ingoldby
Curtis Ledger
James Doran
Antony Wolsey
Jamie Mellor
Aidan Mcginley
Trevor Heath
Nigel Johnson
Paul B Davis
Michael Lott
Stephen Jackson
Michelle Bennett
Paul Thomson
Richard Lathan
Kevin O'Brien
Allan Peers
Gary Martin
Geoff Keddy
Darren Naylor
Matthew Hewlett
Alan Lake
Mike Rowe
Ian Bennett
Paul Stonehouse
Scott Henderson
Matthew Revie
Andy Donn
Joanne Hewitson
Graham Blackburn
Stephen Lister
Steven Gray
David Graham
Steven Harries
Michael Thompson
Blair Kirkland
Gianluca Traini
Ben Turnstill
Duncan Godfrey
Paul Hodgson
Mark Cuggy
Paul Knox-Roberts
Paul Garnham
Mark Alexander
Steven Fortey
John Potts
James Ferry
Alan Steer
M Revie
Steve Brown
Richard Theobald
Barry Carter
Chris Filus
Max Ward
David Baird
Derek Curran
Michael Paterson
Andy Massey
Dave Woods
Kevin Watson
Benedetto Passantino
Derek Rowland
Robert Stone
Dave Texeira
Christian Briggs
Mark Stuart
Kevin Wallace
Tom Phipps
Chris Heim
Martyn Prime
Alistair Fowler
Rick Dacey
Brendan Hartnettt
Thorleif Oien
Jamie Brown
David Potts
Jon Seal
Joe Millward
Michael Bodman
Anthony Williams
Gordon Anderson
Sue Lawrence
Thomas Teigen
Leon Rossiter
David Souter
Kathryn Rushe
Mark Daysh
Martin Wilson
Kevin Fleming
Ross Warren
Andy Winkett
Martin Cherry
Tim Hickling
Darren Meakin
Dewi James
Glyn Cooke
Joseph Greenhalgh
Paul Norton
David Mckenna
Stephen Docherty
Barry Simpson
Eifion Richards
Alan Kerr
Jade Palmer
Gerard Fitzsimmons
Andrew Booth
Eddie Gaines
Daniel Brown
David Kind
Sheridan Skeels
Don Roberts
Iain Drummond
Stephen Carpenter
Paul Jefferies
Alvin Mendoza
Gareth Ower
Bernie Holmes
Martyn Hastings
Chris Hibberd
Douglas Glynn
John Sizer
Aaron Chatfield
Kevan Brady
Paul Mcmenemy
Kevin Shutt
Gavin Newby
R A Norton
Victoria Glynn

Seat Confirmed, Subject To Authorisation

Robert Taylor
Kevin Gilbert
Frazer Hinder
Martin Leigh
Tom Parry
David Groom
Thomas Hunter
Stephen Waddington
Paul Hinchliff
Richard Stevenson
Stephen Lacey
Andrew Lyon
Phillip Rodgerson
Stuart Eaton
James Edwards
Mark Donnelly
Warren Fenwick
Gordon Mcarthur
Adrian Bates
Claire Florent
Fergus Perry
Jim Lynott
Terry Aylward
Zack Fitton
Warren Fenwick
Ian Urnett
Paul Townsend
Ian Foster
Andrew Isabell
Richard Stevenson
Richard Gregory
Caroline Burgess
Craig Clifford
Stelios Papakyriacou
Aldo De Giorgi
Matthew Milne

Tighty - you've done a great job again this week, well done. If only folks knew how difficult this is. Well worthwhile, though.

Excellent stuff Rich - Thank you!

Yeah thanks Tight End. Must be very stressfull given so many people are relying on the system. Cheers for the continued updates

Thanks Tighty, Des and Tikay...... It could and would not of happened without you all......

A big well done and thanks..... ;tightend; ;topman;

Excellent stuff TightEnd, thanks for keeping us updated.  Well pleased I have got my seat.  Just a quick question, I made several attemps to make a payment, so I assime that only one will be processed manually with the others being cancelled?  This evening must have been very stressful so big thanks to apat for making this happen.  Looking forward to Newcastle see you all there.

lets hope so


yes

 ;applause; ;applause; ;thankyou; ;thankyou;

Now the important stuff, does anyone know what language they speak up in Newcastle and is there a phrase-book available ?

Bainn I think it's welsh I can help out ;hattip;

Richard,

Make that 47 unsold... see email to your APAT address.

Good luck to all who have got seats

see you in Newcastle

Thanks Alan, much appreciated

Cheers mate, some useful phrases would be much appreciated.

"Do you understand English ? "

"You called with what filth ? "

You know, the usual.

Thanks.

So, the "uck" is silent in the phrase "f oof fish" ?

I think you need Angie to help out with the Newcastle phrases :)  shes a corker on them

good question, actually it's not , however as a family forum I thought i.d leave it out

Thanks for your patience tonight everyone....it was one very bumpy ride! 

Cheers,

Des.

 ;karabiner;


the suspense was killing me

Haway man!

Hadaway n shite!

Harking back to the old Viz days. God bless Roger Melly (or perhaps it was Sexist Sid) for his free tuition.

See you in Newcastle!!!!

Jack

Sorry to hear this news Jon, and I hope they overlook you in the cuts....

Des.

Because of my work with P4c Ive spent too much time with Ange - sometimes I can understand half of what she is saying to me.

The answers are:

Dyer understand English man?   and

Yee caal'd wi what clarts


and a useful one when you're chucking all your chips in might be:

Eeeh man, ahm gannin te the booza.

Good luck!!    ;hide; ;hide; ;scarymoment;

lol i actually understood that, Angie all your fault :) x

Cheers for that, working on my drunken slurr to add true authenticity to my pronunciation.

Wahay man !  Ahem, found this useful link for all those attending the APAt UK Championship who speak a proper language.

http://www.geordie.co.uk/slang.htm (http://www.geordie.co.uk/slang.htm)

i am not offended by the various comments being made on this string  ( re: geordies),  however  sign-language (BSL), may be available  for those who may experience minor difficulties in the understanding of the local dialect.  Full tuition may be available incorporating full use of terminology and phrases during this event. Please feel free to approach wor lass.

and it's    "WHY EYE  MAN"  -  phronetically speaking      -         means     "YES"

Cant wait for Newcaslte.... Been looking forward to it since it was announced, but my sister phones tonight (she lives in bonnie Scotland) and told me she and the family are coming down at the end of November, and asks can she stay in mine. I say yes and then start thinking that date rings a bell...... WOOOOOPS!!

Newcaslte or sister???

So its Newcastle here I come baby!!! She can stay with my wife and 2 kids!!!

Dont think she is too happy.....