Live tournament blind structures

[RED-DOG]

For the last couple of years, tikay and I have been trying to persuade the powers that be to give us better blind structures. sometimes we are successfully sometimes we are not.

We are careful not to ask for the impossible, but we know from experience that a few small changes can make a vast difference to the quality and playability of a competition, this is particularly true of the two-day festival events.


In my humble opinion, the two things needed to turn a run of the mill competition into something special is the the inclusion of a 150/300 level, and a minimum 45 minute clock. (1 hour for main event). These simple measures are easily achievable, it's been proved time and time again. I can't ever recall a two day event in the UK that went to a chip count.

Although I enjoy live play immensely, it's getting to the stage where I find it poor value to forsake my online competitions where I can get an excellent structure, for a bricks and mortar game that will turn into a crap shoot.


The most common reason put forward by Tournament Directors for not giving us a better structure is "The players don't want it" or "No one has asked for it" and to be honest, I'm beginning to see their point of view. We never get any support when we approach the TD's, people seem to just turn up, pay their money, and take what they are given.


So what do you really think, do you want better structures, or are you happy with things the way they are? because if I'm in the minority here, I think it's probably time I stopped making a nuisance of myself.

[matt674]

horses for courses - taking online as an example of how things can vary some people like the slow structures provided by sites like pokerstars while others prefer the quicker structures of sites like tribeca.

Different playing styles will influence players decisions on their ideal structure so whatever is ideal for some is not ideal for others.

I'd leave it to the discretion of the card rooms to make up their own blind and clock structure rather than have everyone have a uniform across the board structure. If players dont like the particular structure offered then they dont have to play if they dont want.

Provided the structure isnt changed once it has been advertised - that would be my only request.

Poker is so fascinating because of its many different styles and formats - lets keep things interesting and challenging by not making everything the same.

[matt674]

p.s. for the record i do agree with you Red in that my personal preference is for a longer clock with slower structure - but then if i know well in advance what the structure is then i can adjust my game accordingly.

[Woodsey]

I play the medium buy in games at the festivals (£300-500) and I find the structures at these to be perfectly adequate. Unlike Matt I wouldn't mind possibly having the flexibility to adjust the blinds at the final table if it was getting unfair, but otherwise its fine. I have to say I don't scutinise the structure as much as you probably do though. If I could get these structures at Nottingham I would be over the moon.

[TightEnd]

I am currently in the Midlands for a few days playing Walsall

It is a shame in my opinion that every festival comp this week has no 75-150 or 150-300 level

Last night was the £100 rebuy, after the rebuy period the clock goes to 30 mins


IMO this is a one night structure for what is a two day event. Rather strange.

[littlemissC]

I play the medium buy in games at the festivals (£300-500) and I find the structures at these to be perfectly adequate. Unlike Matt I wouldn't mind possibly having the flexibility to adjust the blinds at the final table if it was getting unfair, but otherwise its fine. I have to say I don't scutinise the structure as much as you probably do though. If I could get these structures at Nottingham I would be over the moon.

not going to happen woodsey,but apparently all galas are the same(so im told)

FRAN

[ifm]

My opinion has never changed on this subject.
I think it should be down to the majority to decide the format of the comp not one or two people who prefer it their way.
If grosvenor put out a light questionaire in all of it's casinos (or just festivals) then they could achieve this in advance of a comp.

[ifm]

not going to happen woodsey,but apparently all galas are the same(so im told)

FRAN

Not true, when Richard (Dik9) was at Gala Birmingham he used his own structure.

[littlemissC]

I am currently in the Midlands for a few days playing Walsall

It is a shame in my opinion that every festival comp this week has no 75-150 or 150-300 level

Last night was the £100 rebuy, after the rebuy period the clock goes to 30 mins


IMO this is a one night structure for what is a two day event. Rather strange.

will be good to see you again tightend(im there tonight)

[Woodsey]

not going to happen woodsey,but apparently all galas are the same(so im told)

FRAN

I know it ain't going to happen, I just keep hoping. I used to go there all the time I just cant be bothered now as there are much better games online. The thursday tourney is the only one I sometimes play now.

[TightEnd]

I am currently in the Midlands for a few days playing Walsall

It is a shame in my opinion that every festival comp this week has no 75-150 or 150-300 level

Last night was the £100 rebuy, after the rebuy period the clock goes to 30 mins


IMO this is a one night structure for what is a two day event. Rather strange.

will be good to see you again tightend(im there tonight)

ok, will make sure I have a shave and put my best clobber on then.

Got to impress the posh ones like you

[Pab]

I posted on the blackpool thread briefly about this. Paying £1k into an event is a lot of money and I think that UK main events need better structures. I didnt get to play it, but the one at the poker 6 in bolton looked pretty good. Missing levels and sometimes a 45min clock is just not right IMO for a main event. Poker is a game of skill with a large luck element, but the luck element is reduced if people have deeper stacks.

I Do enjoy playing live, meeting people from blonde, meeting other online players who i frequent on a regular basis as well as the social aspect, but since im playing for a living i just dont see it as a sensible option on a regular basis. Travellin to a tournament usually means a few days in a hotel over the weekend. I miss out on loads of potential comps online as well as juicy cash games at weekends also.

Im travelling to dublin this weeked to play mike laceys comp, with 15k chips 1 hour clock and all the levels. I really hope its a success as id travel regular to play a comp like this

I feel as though im not writing in coherent sentences as ive been playing all night, and now have to stay up and sign for a parcel, ill re-read and maybe add to my post after some sleep, :-o

[littlemissC]

not going to happen woodsey,but apparently all galas are the same(so im told)

FRAN

Not true, when Richard (Dik9) was at Gala Birmingham he used his own structure.

i am only going by what we are told by the cardroom staff at notts.every week there is an argument about a rule or blind structure.all we are told is that it comes from people above them.i think it would be great if we could agree on a better structure.

[bolt pp]

My opinion has never changed on this subject.
I think it should be down to the majority to decide the format of the comp not one or two people who prefer it their way.
If grosvenor put out a light questionaire in all of it's casinos (or just festivals) then they could achieve this in advance of a comp.

 


Cant see it happening though

[littlemissC]

I am currently in the Midlands for a few days playing Walsall

It is a shame in my opinion that every festival comp this week has no 75-150 or 150-300 level

Last night was the £100 rebuy, after the rebuy period the clock goes to 30 mins


IMO this is a one night structure for what is a two day event. Rather strange.

will be good to see you again tightend(im there tonight)

ok, will make sure I have a shave and put my best clobber on then.

Got to impress the posh ones like you

LOL