Launch of the Amateur Poker Association & Tour (APAT)

[totalise]

It is in the APAT rules that the eligibility of players can be decided by APAT, this suggests some sort of commonsense approach.

I have found that having a "common sense" approach to these things generally indicates a level of subjectiveness that might lead to potential problems down the road. I think the best approach is to try and avoid problems before they become problems, although thats only my opinion

[yt]

One of the initial attractions to playing tournament poker for me was the fact that as long as I paid the entrance fee I can sit down with world champions or at least "names".
At the level I play now, while still very much part time and social, I couldn't see myself participating in these apat tournaments. I would rather use the money to participate in a festival event with more prestige and European ranking points.
Is that wrong? Am i a poker snob? Probably, but unless I missed something am I right in thinking that for a lot of people on this forum this apat is not aimed at them?

[ifm]

One of the initial attractions to playing tournament poker for me was the fact that as long as I paid the entrance fee I can sit down with world champions or at least "names".
At the level I play now, while still very much part time and social, I couldn't see myself participating in these apat tournaments. I would rather use the money to participate in a festival event with more prestige and European ranking points.
Is that wrong? Am i a poker snob? Probably, but unless I missed something am I right in thinking that for a lot of people on this forum this apat is not aimed at them?

Well it's £75 for a start, most fessies start at £100 rebuys these days.

[DesD]

All,

Unless I am having a blonde moment, I haven't seen a satisfactory definition of who is/isn't allowed to play in this series, in terms of "professional" status. The main problem is that if this series goes the way it goes, theres going to be a real sick overlay due to the relatively high buyins and relatively low level of skill, so its going to hold certain attractions to this.

Take Johnny Chan, his sole income isn't poker. Same with Negranu. Same with Doyle. Are these allowed to play?

its slightly pedantic, but at the same time highlights the need to have proper boundaries.. as if it is really for the amateurs/less skilled people, theres no way that tikay/tighty (and numerous other people on here) should be allowed to play in this series.

Hi Totalise, and YT from an earlier post.

The amateur / professional divide has been the most difficult decision that we have had to take to reach this point in development.

Poker Associations have been tried before, and to my knowledge none have worked.  At APAT, we wish Jesse Jones the very best of luck with the WPA, but to date he has not received the true support of the players.  In the first 4 months the WPA had fewer than 200 members.  That has grown to a degree during the WSOP, but it is still small beans compared to the territory he has targetted.

Professional players are uniquely difficult to coral.  They make huge decisions on a daily basis, few have guaranteed pay cheques at the end of the month.  Their business is not team orientated and if I am honest, I'm not convinced that the APAT could represent such powerful individual voices at this stage in our development.  

A good example may be Harry D's discussions with Jeremy Pollack a couple of weeks back.  I do not know Harry personally, but I have read his posts, and characterise him as a very smart guy, who clearly felt very aggrieved at the WSOP.  Harry decided to direct his concerns directly to the WSOP, but yet several hours later allowed himself to get in a position whereby he was ejected from a tournament.  This example is not to reopen the merits of that ejection, but rather to wonder why Harry did not go through the WPA.  And I think I am safe in saying that Harry is probably one of the most respected players on the professional circuit.

I firmly believe the only way that players can earn a say in the running of this game is through professional dialogue.  Even tempered, objective orientated with a clear game plan.  I believe an amateur player set will buy into that.  If the model works, perhaps somewhere down the line we can break down the barriers with professional players.  To have that level of individualism work with us, I think we will have to prove ourselves first.  

I think it unlikely that Messrs Chan, Brunson etc are going to turn up in Birmingham  , but on the question of players who reside in the 'grey area'.  

With regard to Tony and Richard specifically.  They will not play due to their roles at Amateur Poker Limited.  

With regard to the player who solely earns his living playing internet poker at home or in local cardrooms around the country.  In reality we cannot easily police him.  Each player will determine his status when entering a tournament.  It is an easy ask as to whether your sole income comes from playing poker or not.  Some may take advantage and enter despite being professional.  If we find those players we will disqualify them, and they will lose any ranking points or prize money awarded.

Regards,

Des Duffy
Managing Director
Amateur Poker Limited

des@apat.com

[booder]

will there be free buffets?

[ifm]

Des, what will you do if someone is a professional and does win one, someone points this out to you and he/she simply denies it?

[mikkyT]

Typical stud player

[dik9]

Where do these players register for the Birmingham event? with APAT or Broadway?, because as it stands Casino's cannot discriminate between entries and Competitions must be open to all, unless the cardroom has been booked for a private function, and whoever books it should also look after monies?

[Colchester Kev]

will there be free buffets?

LOL never mind the juice, never mind the pro/amateur debate, never mind the blind structure .... booder wins the prize for asking the all important question... I await an answer

[TightEnd]

The prospect of a free buffet was crucial to my support for APAT

[Sark79]

I have only got to page 3 so far. It looks really interesting.  Forgive me if this has already been asked, but I wanted to catch Tightend before he goes for his 5 pm nap.

If a snooker or pool player turns pro, he can no longer compete in amateur events. Once he has held a pro ranking, he can't reverse this.

Is this series going to act by the same rules as the snooker and billiards association?   For example, if Flushy was offered a job as the Queen's official pilot, could he then play in these events as he would no longer be a pro player?

[Colchester Kev]

The prospect of a free buffet was crucial to my support for APAT

Stop speaking like a bloody politician..YES or NO

[TightEnd]

Where do these players register for the Birmingham event? with APAT or Broadway?, because as it stands Casino's cannot discriminate between entries and Competitions must be open to all, unless the cardroom has been booked for a private function, and whoever books it should also look after monies?

Online registration on www.apat.com

first 120 entries on 1 sept who have paid get in, therefore APAT collects the monies

As with any other event, we won't discriminate as to eligible entries until it is full

[TightEnd]

The prospect of a free buffet was crucial to my support for APAT

Stop speaking like a bloody politician..YES or NO

I think so (politician for Yes)

[dik9]

Silly point, but can you make sure all entries bring ID to casino as well as producing for your membership, if they aren't already members.