Live & Interactive Update - Blue Square Poker 6 from Bolton - DAY TWO

[snoopy1239]

Well, its all done and dusted now, as they say. I've read through the threads from both days and will now attempt to answer a few of the questions that cropped up.

Why were there two flights?

Well, it was hoped that we would sell out the event (capped at 108 runners - 18 tables of 6 players) and had we done so that would have created problems of space - where to put all 18 tables - and problems of staffing - how to get the 20+ dealers that would be needed to run 18 concurrent tables (they need breaks you know). So, two flights was the answer.  With hindsight, 16 tables could have been run in one sitting, but we were optimistic of filling the event due to the added prize money, slow structure and novelty of a new type of event.

Only 96 runners?

The World Cup, the weather, the WSOP and to some extent the location (many southern players were not keen on travelling that far for the event) all conspired to result in the event running 12 players short of capacity. However, 96 is a more than respectable number for a £1,000 event, especially when you consider that so many recent tournaments have had such poor attendences.

The seven handed situation on the final table?

Two conflicting reports in the thread about how they ran it at the WSOP - the idea of moving a player every half hour doesn't seem like a good option to me. The most fair way is to go seven handed, even if that goes against the stated shorthandedness of the event.

Carry On The Dinner Break?

There were problems due to unforseen staff absences which caused very long delays in service. Obviosuly not an ideal situation and potentially very upsetting for the players, however it became so farcical that they all ended up laughing about it. I do apologise about the situation on behalf of the Grosvenor Bolton. I actually missed the whole debacle as Mike, Simon (my Blue Square colleagues), Rick Dacey and myself had decided to go out for a chinese instead. We played a sit n go all the way through the meal. Rick won, just as the bill was arriving...

Will there be another Poker 6 event?

I would hope so. Most of the feedback I had from players at the event was that they would like to see it return. I will set up a poll on another thread so you can voice your own opinions on this matter and on the event in general.

I have been quite heavily involved with the Poker 6, as many of you know. The main things I wanted to achieve by running this event were:

1. To run a short handed event - You don't get many of them in the UK and certainly not in usually in casinos, for obvious economical reasons - space and staffing.
2. To ensure that the comp could not become a crapshoot - this was achieved by deep stacks, healthy 40-45 minute levels (for a short handed game) and a very gradual blinds structure.
3. To give value back to players - with a guaranteed prize pool of £120,000 and as we fell 12 players short, we actually added a lot more than the advertised £21,000 to the weekend. Not bad for a 96 runner bag of sand event.
4. To be innovate - the starting table saver prize, the consolation 'Grosvenor Plate' event and the shootout/usual mtt combo format fulfilled this.

I feel that my goals have been achieved and hope that overall it has been a success in the eyes of the participants as well.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the event - Blue Square and Grosvenor casinos, the staff at Bolton, with special mention to Ian Bryan  (who did a wonderful job running the event and remained calm and good natured all the way through, despite a few teething difficulties) and everyone who played in the event or pitched up to rail their favourites home. Hope to see you all again soon.

 

[ariston]

One of the best events I have ever played in and I would like to be put on the list for the next one please JR. It was great to be able to play some poker for a change and the entire weekend was great (apart from the obvious teething problems with the casino holding its first festival). See you in vegas mate.

[tikay]

Yes, a big "Thank you" to Mr Rabb - sorry, Raab - for organising everything, & generally looking after blonde. That included a tour of Bolton Town Centre at 5am on Monday.

The Venue had not hosted a major event before, & it showed, but the Cardroom Manager was a great guy, & with a little help, he would have been fine. A shame Grosvenor could not "loan" him someone like Yogi, Dani or Carmel for the weekend, he would have appreciated it, & benefitted.

Well done Grosvenor, & Mr Raab.

[Card_Shark]

Thank´s everyone for all of your support, sorry about the delay in posting but im in spain on holiday now. thanks to snoops for the excellent updates and blue square..... especially johnathan who did a great job as always.

roll on next years comp i will be defending my title....

good luck all

steve read

[Mokers]

Hey guys...

Tikay, when will the Poker 425 episode featuring the Poker Six festival air? Please feature my post-exit interview! Everything about the festival was superb (apart from, of course, the restaurant wait). Snoop, are you the guy I asked about the prize structure to? I figured it was you. That's 3 out of 3 festival final tables for me now... roll on Brighton.

Mark Emberson

[snoopy1239]

Hey guys...

Tikay, when will the Poker 425 episode featuring the Poker Six festival air? Please feature my post-exit interview! Everything about the festival was superb (apart from, of course, the restaurant wait). Snoop, are you the guy I asked about the prize structure to? I figured it was you. That's 3 out of 3 festival final tables for me now... roll on Brighton.

Mark Emberson

Hi

well done on you final table appearance

The show will probably be aired this Wednesday at 11pm.

I see no reason why your interview won't be included, they rarely cut one out.

I was the good looking skinny guy walking around with a notepad and camera, generally being a nuisance.

Good luck in Brighton.

[Indestructable]

And if you miss it this Wednesday they repeat it every night at 11pm.

[tikay]

Yes, it will be aired this week, starting tomorrow.

This coming weekend 425 will be at Brighton.

[Royal Flush]

One of the best events I have ever played in and I would like to be put on the list for the next one please JR. It was great to be able to play some poker for a change and the entire weekend was great (apart from the obvious teething problems with the casino holding its first festival). See you in vegas mate.

Have to agree, this is the best event i have ever played in the UK. Evreyone was really enjoying themselves, and the 2nd chance comp with the starting table saver going on made it bloody brilliant, the 2nd day was more fun than the first!!!

Well done to Blue Square, Grovesnor etc, but especially Jon, this was his idea, he wanted to make this happen so badly and he did. Roll on the next super 6, i for 1 will be playing!!


Also well done to Claire! She was on my table and didnt have many chips when i busted but she went on to yet again out do Luke (it's not that hard!)