Perhaps this is the wrong place for the following comments, but.

Tikay a snake in the grass for reporting deals being made??? No I don't think so. These things need reporting because players won't or don't do it themselves. But how about PIE. Who polices them and their rankings that are now sponsored. Not too long ago an Event had to be running the previous year to be called a Ranking Event. Then lo and behold along come 2 in the same month that no-one knew about being run never mind being a ranking event only a few short months ago.

No disrespect to the casino's involved but surely they cannot have ranking events yet. Surely criteria cannot be changed because the person in charge wants to change it. Surely the so called integrity of the rankings is now called into question after they accused players and card room managers of a certain lack of it. At the start of the year all the rankings events should be known. That way players who are interested in playing in ranking events, know where and when they are. New events should not be pushed in wherever they can at a months notice.

Now instead of having a week or two spare for a relaxing holiday, people will be forced (If they want ranking points) into playing at an unheard of( IN card room terms) venue, where they may have poorly experienced staff dealing and making mistakes. I'm not saying that nowhere makes mistakes. But surely new venues will make more, and as per usual the poor suffering poker player may have to pay the price for the mistake unlike the member of staff.

Having just read the new Blackpool schedule I would say that Blackpool would offer the best value. 2 hours of rebuys at 50. Same as the Circus. Won't be much in it. Except for the 30 minute drive there and back. Will definately have to see how it goes. Have The Circus improved their Ante Structure coz I ain't playing in a 50 comp where they double up the antes every 15 minutes. It's just about bearable in a 20 game not that I'd be happy with that. So unless that changes Blackpool for me every time. See you on Fridays and Saturdays

Hey Stewart.

I believe Blackpool are going to go Toe to Toe, against The Circus in Manchester. What do you think that will result in. 2 mediocre comps or will players stay at the Circus. Or go to the more established Blackpool, which whilst it doesnt give food to us poor starving players, it does get run well, and with the added bonus of finally getting House Dealers until the wee small hours, things lok to be getting better.

I'm a little undecided. A longer drive for a better structure or shorter drive for free food.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Tough one. 

I have been informed all Stanley casino's operate the same ante strucutre. Not sure if that is true or not, but for the ones around the North West it is true.

Perhaps Blonde-ites around the country could confirm this or not. But sharp ante structures aside they seem to be pulling in people, still how could they fail to in the middle of Manchester and not a decent game unless they travel 120 miles upwards on a round trip.

As the more serious players come in to play at 50 and 100 they will need to change. But will they. I believe they have a Poker Co-ordinator job going, but will they do what they are notorious for doing and not listen to the people who know the game we all love. Or just suddenly decide that they have had enough of catering to the public and drop poker on its ass like they did just a few short years ago. Surely they have only introduced it because all their casinos are empty, and they have staff with no punters to deal to. When they get busy again will they still provide dealers for free, or even at all. I doubt it very much. They will be pulled back in2 the pits to deal house games.

Sponsorship is in it's infacy, in the British Poker Scene.

Casino's and online Poker sites are just beginning to forge links with each other.

Yes VC probably paid something to The Rendezvous but I'd guess it wasn't much, if anything.

If they have It's Probably only enough to cover publicity etc. So even though they have a little extra money why give it to the players??

I'd imagine they might have supplied incidentals as well, ie KEYRINGS, Tshirts, Etc.

But who says the sponsors should put money in2 the game for the players. Only the players. At the end of the day, a casino is there to make money. And if they can sell sponsorship of a product to a company for a small price, then Y should they give it to the players?? Good for them to be making extra money.

They could give it to players for their ongoing patronage.

Or because if they didn't go and make it succesful then VC poker wouldn't have sponsored it.

Casinos still have a small minded attitude to you the poker player. They enforce rules upon you that are not fair, and not uniform. They dictate to you what you can/cannot do with your money. As Yogi has said once or twice its not your money until you win it. There fore you cannot decide what to do with it.

Just a random rant from a new member.

I may or may not agree with statements made on this post.