blonde poker forum

I was at gala tonight, best not talk about the poker as you can tell by the time no money was made. Yet a few things are a changing.

1. Every Sunday (apart from first of the month which remains 100 rebuy) will now be a 50 pound pot limit rebuy from the 10th july.

2. They are changing the blind structure so there will be an extra 2 levels (150/300 and one higher up) also there will be a level in the rebuy period presumably up to 50/100 from 25/50.

My views are that i don't think number 1 is a great invention, tho apparantly it was agreed in consultation with some of the regulars. I would prefer say a weekly freezeout or possibly a no limit tournament.

I think changing the blind structure is a good. Any views?

Any introduction of extra blind levels must be welcome and having a blind raise during rebuys will not harm the game (it happens in the 100 already).

Do you know if the 50 will be 1000 points starting chips?

Will there be dealers for the 50 rebuy tourneys ?

I agree, a weekly freezout would be lovely.

Agreed Adam, how about a 100 freeze-out with dealers on a Monday ?

Or a Tuesday even.

bit too muchI'm afraid
50 absolute tops for me at the minute

That will be fine, get it sorted and deal me in !

 ;)

Sounds fun to me - prefer a weekend day but could probably make a few exceptions :)

weekend, now you're talking
a saturday 50 freeze would be brilliant.
early start, decent clock
how about it nightfly, any chance?

50, 100, 200, lovely lovely lovely.

But remember THIS.......

There are many folks to whom even 50 is too much. Please don't forget the 5, 10, & 20 guys.

I don't know the true stats, but my guess is that 95% of the poker market as a whole falls into the "20 is enough" bracket. Ignore these guys at your peril, for they are a market, and they are the future of poker.

Football eulogises about the Beckhams and Rooneys, & they get paid awesome sums of money. How does the football industry earn money out of guys that are being paid obscene sums? They recoup it by aiming their marketing at guys who play football on Sunday morning. Hundreds of thousands of them. One cant exist without the other.

agreed, weekend,20 freeze would be ok for me too.

The other thing that occurs to me is the lack of no-limit tourneys.

So a no-limit freeze-out would be ideal.

Saturday 20 NLHE freezeout
3000 chips 30 minute clock
8pm start
would struggle to miss a single game.

can think of 30+ new members too

20 would suit me more than 50. I'm sure myself and several friends would be there most weeks.

I might even be able to persuade my dad to come and play that...

(He's scared of live poker, bless him).

so how do we get the top brass at the Gala to listen to us small fish instead of the 'regulars' who are always consulted who already have 4 games a week?

Kick them in the shins?

Bugger off to Walsall who offer the type of game we're asking for?

Chuck a few grand on the magic roundabout?

1, who's shins? probably won't work

2, too far for the people I think would want to play

3, not one penny, EVER

perhaps asking Rob if it's worth writing a polite letter, and if so, who too.

I think number is what they'd listen to most unfortunately.

I know that if they manage to get me and my mates in on a weekend we'll spend a nice amount at the bar (when we were at uni the bar staff knew what were drinking before we got to the bar  :D). The problem is lots of them are put off by the 20 rebuyfests. A freezeout or 10 rebuy would suit them better. Lots would feel more comfortable with NL instead of PL aswell, as that is what they are used to.

I reckon a 20 freeze would fill up every week and it wouldn't be the regular Sun/Mon/Thurs/Fri players, most of who I couldn't see bothering with 300-500 odd 1st prize. I think alot more would be spent at the bar. I'd deal a 20 NL game but am not upto a PL rebuy game. just not fast enough. so even if we couldn't get house dealers (very unlikely I'd think) I'm sure we'd get through if others felt the same.

Another change, but one which has been implemented by the gaming board, is that if you are given a saver for 11th, you have to wait for the completion of the comp until you can get paid.

That's crazy!

If you finish 10th do you have to wait? Or is it a case that the saver comes off 1st prize so you have to wait until that is paid out?

ditch the 11th place saver. hopefuly we'll get the flatter structure discussed before

it's because it comes off 1st prize and they're supposed to be paying the advertised structure

No. It just applies to any savers that veer away from the offivial pay-out structure.

My brother came 11th last night and was paid by players rather than Rob.

It's the same ballpark as not allowing deals.

Yes, it IS an oddity that Gala Notts concentrate on PL to the almost total exclusion of NL. As it happens, I much prefer PL - MUCH - but they ought to cater for all tastes. And please dont respond along the PL is better/worse than NL - post elsewhere if you wish, but this thread is about the buy in value of comps.

Oh, and when Rob responds - we KNOW he is gleefully soaking all this feedback up - perhaps he'd bring us up to date on where Gala are with regard to smoking or no smoking. It won't go away......

I think we're very fortunate to have Rob involved. almost feels like a man on the inside

Adam etc, do you think the extra punters who might come to a, say 20/30 NL Freezeout would play cash games say a  25 buy in/50 max buy in 1 blinds PLHE or PLHE/PLO round of each game after? I.e not a dealers choice exotic game/ rip off the gullible cash game?

I do enjoy PL but for rebuy comps it can be hard on beginners, especially if they don't have big pockets. Things like not being able to raise enough UTG to protect your kings against people who don't care if they have another buy in. Things like this put the new players off, especially the ones who have been brought up on no limit - they have to learn live play and pot limit all at the same time and for some the 20 rebuy is too expensive to do this.

I've never played cash @ notts (or live) but I would play in such a game (provided i had no concerns about the integrity of the game). I reckon straight NLHE would be the best bet for getting more people involved. From there they may be interested in a DC or ROE game.

My post above dropped "out of sync" as I took a long phone call, but it's still relevant I think.

But now we know that guys DO want the 10 & 20 jobbies. The place would be heaving, trust me. Gutshot have a cash game where the maximum sit down is 20 - it's ALWAYS full.

Will Gala take feedback, & will they take it from the right folks?

I know your concern here. And I know you worry about certain individuals who are, shall we say, self-serving, & not too wholesome.

Trust me. Gala Management ARE talking to a wide range of individuals, regular meetings, to get feedback from the "regular guys".

Give them time, they are getting there. And judging by the record number of players, they ain't doing too bad a job, either. A little tweaking here & there & the job's a good 'un.

..and another thing, slightly off tangent. I saw a flyer advertising SNGs at Notts. Did they ever get off the ground?

I think smaller buy in cash games might get a bit of business but 10 seat self dealt 10 STTs would be more popular. that's what most novices are playing and watching on TV after all

The 5 pound rebuys at the Gutshot are also manic affairs. Huge support.

so, Tikay, if I wanted to write a polite letter giving an opinion, who would I send it to? I love going to the Gala but what we're talking about here would be of great interest to me if it got off the ground. I'm serving my apprenticeship but would love to get some big game experience in without a major threat to my pocket.

See, the groundswell of opinion for 10, even 5, comps, is HUGE. Don't worry, Gala are listening.

Adam, who to write to? My advice is don't write to anyone. The spoken word is 100 times more powerful, more persuasive, if delivered properly, and not in a raised voice style. It's very hard to convey nuances and mood in writing.

When we are both next at Gala on the same night, I will introduce you to the right people to speak to. Then you can say your piece. And you WILL be listened to.

And yes they having been having 10 SNG's. Very popular, too.

I appreciate that Tikay, but I also write a good letter. constructive and friendly in tone, I have some issues and suggestions Id like to bring up with them.

I still think speaking is better than writing, buit I'll drop you a PM giving you some info.

thanks, I'll probably do both.

The 5 rebuy in comp in Walsall regularly gets 120 + players.

Yes...it's true i am here and listening, soaking up all this feedback and suggestion. Sometimes you guys really make my brain hurt!!! :-\

I will try and answer most of the points raised in this thread.
First of all the schedule change on Sundays:

This was done after consultation with around 60 or so regular Sunday players. There was not one opponent to the suggestion of raising the buy in to 50.

This is not however a permanent change. We believe there is demand for a higher buy in competition in the area and perhaps for 50 the game will be improved/ be less of a 'crazy re-buy lottery'. We are constantly trying to improve our product and believe that this is a step in the right direction for providing a more varied schedule of weekly competitions. As has been mentioned many times before, the wholly Pot-Limit Re-Buy thing is a little repetetive week after week after week.

It is important to cater for new players and existing players alike, just as it is for larger and smaller pockets. Sunday and Monday are not 'new player nights' and the increase of the Sunday Entry was not seen as a move that would discourage new players.

So with 'new players with smaller pockets' in mind the next few weeks is likely to see the introduction of a 10 No-Limit Rebuy, specifically aimed at rookies (and many of our Pot-Limit experts are No-Limit rookies). This will most likely be on a Tuesday night with an earlier start than the other competitions. (probably 7ish)

If this is successful and well-supported then Friday may change to a No-Limit Comp.

 

Will the house be providing dealers for the 50 rebuy tourheys ?

If so I will be a regular again (not sure if that is a threat or a promise).

 ;)

Thanks Rob.

I missed your response to the smoking issue.........

I know, I know, I AM a pain. But 9 out of 10 folks said they'd support a smoking ban. The 1 guy in 10 is delighted, but that leaves 9 unhappy bunnies. At every table.

I wont jump up and down, or shout and scream, or threaten. But I will keep gently reminding you. The blondeites spoke, & we have to follow it through now. Grosvenor banned smoking in just about ALL their card-rooms. The law will almost certainly MAKE you do it sooner rather than later.

Who'd be a Cardroom Manager, eh?

Keep it up Rob, you are doing brill.

About smoking.........star city in sunny brum allow smoking in the cardroom if you stand up??
Bit strange really, everywhere else you must leave the cardroom (everywhere else i've been that is)
You can't smoke at the table but you can stand behind your seat and blow smoke at the rest of the players, just thought it was odd.

That is BIZARRE!

It's almost universal now, no smoking at the table, quite right too. (Yup, tikay gonna have to curb his smoking....).

Statistically, they upset 1 player in 10 by banning it, & please 9 in 10.

OUR SURVEY SAID - UH-UH

It is bizarre in that the cardroom has only been open a few weeks, maybe they polled the members?
I personally smoke and i hate being told when and where i can, but............i also hate it when people blow smoke my way. I mean HATE it, so a ban is no problem for me. It's the principle of it that annoys me not the actuality (i could be a lawyer  ;D)
Any old road up, walsall disallow it and i'm happy with that, though if you sit near the cardroom entry everyone leaves their lit fags in ashtrays there and dash back and forwards to see their cards leaving the smoke to drift into the room!!
Ian

Well that has to be the daftest thing I ever heard. You can smoke at the table if you stand up?

Must be a Stanley thing.  HEHEHEHE

I really wanna bitch but i'm holding it in. STOP TYPING NOW>............................................................

Yogi

Good to hear about the tenner no limit event on a tuesday, I will certainly be supporting that. It will be interesting to see how some of our rebuy maniacs play when they can shove all their chips in at once. Bagsy not at Paul's table.

At the risk of muddying the water here, whilst I am 100% in favour of lower buy-in comps at Notts, & have argued for it, a 10 NL rebuy does give me concerns IF not structured properly. Many deep-pocketed folks will just go all-in evey hand, which will spoil it for the genuine guys who can only afford one or two. Though the counter argument would be, "fine, this will benefit the more astute players, who will bide their time, & increase the prize pool.

I wonder how Walsall deal with this "problem"? - feedback please.

Maybe limit the rebuys to, say, 3, with a rebuy & add-on option at the freeze. But that's hassly to manage. In limited rebuy comps, tickets are issued which you use when the rebuys occur. I can see them being pased around by those not needing them, & all sorts of ensuing chaos.

It's just part of the game Tikay, you need the rebuy merchants to increase the prize pool and in turn this attracts the players.
The better players will go either way, try to get lucky or pick your spot.
I think most feel it's just the way it has to be and as such are used/prepared for it, but maybe it is a little different elsewhere cuz at Walsall the overall standard of play is very high (didn't realise till i went somewhere else) and you don't see it too much, maybe a couple of folks do it but mostly you get callers in late position purely for pot odds and once the rebuys end the game VASTLY changes.
Though the Friday night 5 chip throwing contest is an experience in itself, 500,000 chips in play last night with 119 runners!!
Danni will tell ya, they've done a lot of experimenting with buyins/rebuys etc. at walsall and the truth is you introduce freezeouts and you lose players, whether it's because of the lower prize funds or the 'one chance only' part of it i don't know.
Ian

Smoking @ notts has never really bothered me that much until last night when I left with stinging eyes due to the smoke. Does make you wonder why you bother sometimes.

Tikay makes a point about limiting rebuys in order to have tournaments for those with limited bankrolls. Afew years ago when Russell Square still had it's cardroom the most popular night was the 10 maximum 3 rebuy and a top up night. 100 runners pre poker boom. Maximum 40 liability. Whilst I know it will not suit some, many of the players I remember from those games are now playing some pretty heavy duty games and many more are still playing regularly at the Gutshot. My two penneth - oh that and introduce limit cash games.

Thanks for the feedback from Walsall Ian.

Bongo. It's astonishing, I must say. We had the poll - 90% in favour of a ban, but it's not moved forward yet. We will keep nagging, don't worry, & it will happen. If 90% of my clients wanted something, I'd find it hard to ignore, as would most. But you guys CAN help by continuing to lobby for it. The dam will burst eventually.

I hope I'm at Paul's table every time I go.  :)

For the extra chips and the entertainment value.  ;)

the point is we have plenty of rebuy games. I am a big fan of playing super tight in these games and Tikay is well aware I've finalled on several occassions for only 20 in a 20 rebuy game, giving me a huge profit with a win compared to the looser players. What we're after is a lowish buy in freezeout. I like rebuy games and I like PL but I also want a NL freezeout game and that's what I'll be lobbying for at Gala

and as to smoking, didn't they finalise the legislation yesterday. It's not going to be optional soon.
Roll on non-smoking card rooms.

Walsall has a rookie comp on Saturday afternoons Tony. 1 buy-in I believe.

saturday afternoon comp, that's tempting. more details please?

I'm hoping for another 250 freezout. I heard rumours of a 250 rebuy, 1 rebuy max. Can anyone confirm this or/and give a date?

The 50 freezeout on Tuesdays at walsall has proved consistantly popular (it was a result of member pressure i believe) though on Tuesday they did have their lowest turn out for a while.........probably why Red-dog (he can't play) Mcready finished second ???

It's called 'rookie aftenoon'. Starts at 4:15. 10, Pot-Limit, Holdem. Max of 1 rebuy / add on.

The last 1 had 41 players and made 700. Top 3 got paid. 1st recieved 420.

Or read a report of it,
http://www.blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=495.msg10888#msg10888

Followed by a normal 10 rebuy comp in the evening? I'm thinking of getting down there and playing soon.

sounds great
might well give that a shot in the next couple of weeks.

Check the schedule first though, today it's a supersat for tonights 300 freezeout

Ahha, nice link Ian. That takes you to the excellent report by The Wall. Well worth a re-visit.

When you redo the site you should have an archive/section for folks own tourny experiences

yeah, I've already asked Tikay about an 'other poker writers' section for those of us hwho like to write but don't want to go as far as our own blog.

Snoopy and those who are interested.

The other night one of the gala managers did a quick poll round a few of us regulars about an upcoming bigger event with regards to structure etc.  it was really good to be approached and asked by the management (who do actually admit that they don't always know best) what the best idea was for buy-in, structure etc.  I gave my opinions and advice on buy-in, format, advertising, clock and structure amongst other things and i know a lot of the others did (i belive he also spoke to Julian, Ash, the old fella and others that have played in lots of different comps at lots of different venues - I am told it will be announced soon once they have a feel for what is going to be the most popular - but a tip in advance - clear your diary for August BH weekend.
Greg

Yes... it is very conspicuous by its absence. My response at the moment would have to be:-   ???

The issue is in consideration by the management and is really so far out of my hands, it's unbelievable!

Hopefully the current public smoking debate will help to resolve this matter sooner rather than later

Is that the same as with the dealer question then Nightfly ?

August Bank Holiday is the Weekend of the original Poker4Charity event - the world famous North East Charity Shield and it's Pot Limit cousin the North East Charity Cup. That weekend is sacred. How dare they even think about encrouching on this most special of weekends.

the answer to that question is pending the outcome of my efforts

I am well aware of the problems, and appreciate your efforts.

As I'm sure you know.

 ;)

While the clash is regrettable, Bank Holiday's are the only time when a two day event is possible for the majority of players. This is probably the prime reason for your choice of dates. (there was also a clash Spring Bank Holiday.)
I think the work you are doing is fantastic and wish you all the best with this event.

The prime reason for the choice of dates was when we started was that nobody was running events on that weekend. We have had clashes before and we have them again - I guess thats life. Would be nice if Gala would committ to actually supporting the work of P4C. We have been responsible for literally hundreds of people going to a B&M casino for the first time over the last few years and get very little or nothing from some of the casino operators. Might ruffle a few feathers but there we go.

While I appreciate the work P4C are doing it will be the case that many players who will go to Notts that weekend would be unlikely to go to Newcastle so i don't think the two events are incompatible.

I am sure we will sell out. My first comment was tongue in cheek. The second comment though was more serious.

The idea behind the beginners comp is that beginners can learn the mechanics of the game in a safe(ish) environment. A 'chip throwing' contest will not allow this to happen. I agree with tikay entirely, and the highlighted text shows the areas we are working on to ensure that beginners will benefit and become more confident players.

The comp will only be introduced once these issues have been addressed.

It's amazing the ability I have to stop a thread dead in its tracks!

With regard to the beginners comp @ notts:

Starting Tuesday 19th July 2005
10 No Limit Hold Em
Maximum of 3 Re-buys per player (Or 2 re-buys + 1 Add-On)
Maximum Players will be 50

Registration from 6.30pm to 7.15pm
Competition Starts at 7.30pm

60 minute Re-buy Period
20 minute clock

This competition is aimed at no-limit beginners although it is open to all players (except maybe those who swear they're never coming back ::)) on a strictly first come first serve basis

it did grind to a halt didn't it?

dispite what appears to have been negative press on this forum recently I think it's worth saying that Nottingham Gala has a lot going for it, not least the large regular fields and the high standard of player we have. I just hope between you and the Notts Blondes we can convince the management to take better care of us over the coming months as poker continues to grow.

Why is it limited to 50 players? House Dealers?

that sounds great, yeah, what about dealers / juice?

A different thread was stressing me out a bit so i thought i would post in this, much nicer, much gentler and altogether more wholesome thread.

and I hope so to!

The reason it is limited to 50 players is easy:

You only have to trawl through the threads containing comments about the large numbers of players / our collection of 'overwhelming personalities' (being diplomatic here) to know that both of these things are deemed to be off putting to new players as is the potential cost of the 20 comps.

By limiting the numbers, a 'new player's' first experience will not be so daunting as it would on a friday night with 90 or so players.

The other reason is that by limiting the number of rebuys, we have to be sure that we can monitor this properly. Five tables is a manageable number to start with. If this is possible comfortably then a further table will be added and so on.


The house dealer question is not so easy:

ideally... Yes please!
probably....Not (at least in the first instance)


still here's hoping!

Why M and M

I ask myself

Congrats Rob, bloody marvellous! I wish you & Gala every success with it. But beware, at a max of 50, it will sell-out once word gets round.

If it's "self-deal", please please PLEASE choose carefully who you will allow to deal.

Excellent news Rob-
I still think that this initiative deserves the support of a few non rookie regulars who could deal..
I would certainly assist.
Malc-M

Me too. Assuming I qualify as "non-rookie"........

Thanks for the support guys, you are both very welcome to join and assist. Advice taken re Dealers.

The support of experienced players is vital to the success of this venture. As people who not only enjoy the game but also care about the future of the game, your input and support would be great for beginners to the game.

Too many players develop lazy playing habits. Let's hope we can start beginners off on the right foot.

Imagine a world where all new players stated their intention to raise and the amount. Players who are able to wait patiently for their turn to act. Players who accept that outdraws and dismal hole cards are all part of the game and nothing to blame everyone but themselves for. etc etc.

it is only through the support of players who are patient enough and capable to 'show them the ropes' that such 'model players' can be shaped.

Players who's intentions are contrary to this end will almost certainly be prevented from play. There will be a zero tolerance approach to 'negative player behaviours'

Oh and on an even better note, the prize structure for this competition will differ from the rest. Perhaps you could describe it as being somewhat flatter.

stay tuned for details.

Thanks once again guys :)

I'll try and come down, if nothing else I can hopefully set an example of how to act with the raises and things. Dealing may be asking a bit much - I'm not even allowed to deal in my home game*  :D


* due to my incompetence, not because people are worried I cheat.

Sounds good rob. Nice work. Keep it up.  :)

Just out of interest, can u not play two day events over saturday and sunday like they do in Walsall?

I'll definitely be along for these. My pocket is at a real stretch even at 20 rebuys so a 10 game sounds great.

I'll try and sell the idea to some of my home game occassional players, give them a taste of casino poker

Nice one Adam.

Two day events at Gala snoopy?

They had one already, watch this space for another very soon.....

Sry Tikay. Crossed wires.

Yes. I was at the last one.

However, earlier on in the thread, rob said that they could only be played on bank holidays because they were 2 day events.

I was just wondering if there was a reason why they couldn't be played over staurday and sunday like they are in Walsall.

I suspect it's because the bigger - 100 & 250 buy-in jobbies, really do need House Dealers, and that's a problem still to be solved at Gala. (softly softly...). But watch out for an August Bank Holiday special.

Good to hear some good news from Notts after the other thread. I will be supporting the new tuesday night, hopefully it will be good fun and show the good side of the game at Notts. As there is alot to be said for the majority of people up there and the banter at the table some nights is really good fun. Can also put on record my thanks to Rob for his patience/ committement to the cause and with the help of good majority we will hopefully eridicate the problems we have.

too late poker4charity are already taking bookings for the august bank holiday by the time the notts gala get the info out all the players will be playing the p4c event (hopefully)

Ok to ensure that there is no conflict of interest i have removed the Details of the August Bank Holiday Comp.

dont worry about conflict of ontrst healthy compertition is good

i wrote that before i saw juniors post thats what i get for readeing from top down

ppps i cant make either as bank holiday monday is treated as a sunday and eastern airlines (only people that fly to newcastle and east midlands from aberdeen) dont fly on a sunday

whats is it about bank holidays that make people want to hold poker events