APAT Season Two Sponsorship

[RED-DOG]

Does this mean that I get to play?

[ifm]

It says that there is a £10 membership fee to play the live events, i take it this has been waived for existing members?
It looks good but it also looks very ugly, why so much going on?
Why not stick to last years format and have the added prizes within that?
You could still have the extra events but it would remain clear.
As an AMATEUR organisation why allow professionals?
Oh and what happened to the association?

[dik9]

Des, trust me, I think apaT is great for poker players, and is unquestionably the best value tournament/tour in the country, also the spirit that it is played in, is exactly what poker needs. I also know that I sound ante APAT, but it is not the fact that it is a undoubtedly a fantastic opportunity for many. I hope that is cleared up.

What is frustrating is the name, A (amatuer)

APAT is no longer strictly for amateur's only

P A (Poker Association) (We still have yet to see any evidence of unifying anything, where is the grievance procedure etc) T (Tour) (WAAAAYYY HAAAAYYY nail on head) and as said it is a fanatstic Tour with it's own rules, but every tour uses it's own rules ?

As for being the only organisation in the country doing something about it, I am truly glad that there is only one, as 2 associations would just keep it in turmoil, and quite frankly,  I am still trying to work out if that statement is a low blow.

I was not implying when i said cash cow, that members would have to repay their fees. But with the online APAT events and the live sign ups yet to register, and the fact that all your members must migrate to play, are you saying that you haven't got any affiliation deal?

[kinboshi]

It says that there is a £10 membership fee to play the live events, i take it this has been waived for existing members?
It looks good but it also looks very ugly, why so much going on?
Why not stick to last years format and have the added prizes within that?
You could still have the extra events but it would remain clear.
As an AMATEUR organisation why allow professionals?
Oh and what happened to the association?

From what I've read, it's the same as last year, but now there are more events - namely the regional ones to enable more people to play in APAT events (people were complaining that they couldn't get places last year - although that was also nonsense, if you wanted a place, you could get one).

Then on top of that there are some other added events such as the inter-forum challenge and the Pro-Am events - which isn't allowing pros to play in the main APAT events, but giving more APAT members the chance to play against pros in events they wouldn't normally be able to afford.  From what I understand, it looks like APAT satellites into events where the pros are playing - nothing wrong with that from what I can see.

Not sure what "looks very ugly"

[kinboshi]

I was not implying when i said cash cow, that members would have to repay their fees. But with the online APAT events and the live sign ups yet to register, and the fact that all your members must migrate to play, are you saying that you haven't got any affiliation deal?

I think that Bluesq are offering added value to all the online events.  That's a good deal for the players surely?  Of course Bluesq hope to benefit from the deal - it seems all parties are getting something from it to me...

[ifm]

Ugly was maybe not the best word but it is very muddy, so much there i was wondering why?
Why not just keep the existing format with extra events?

[dik9]

That's a good deal for the players surely? 

It is exeptional, no contest. But the reason an online company sponsors is the revenue and attraction, trust me the added packages all though huge, is a drop in the ocean from the revenue the sponsors will make. Just seems that PokerStars was nearly exhausted, so lets change it to another. All online companies will be fighting to get x000's of members so I would expect another change of sponsors next year. And so on.

[kinboshi]

That's a good deal for the players surely? 

It is exeptional, no contest. But the reason an online company sponsors is the revenue and attraction, trust me the added packages all though huge, is a drop in the ocean from the revenue the sponsors will make. Just seems that PokerStars was nearly exhausted, so lets change it to another. All online companies will be fighting to get x000's of members so I would expect another change of sponsors next year. And so on.

So be it, if it happens. 

One of the negatives of this move (for me) is that the online events won't be on PokerStars, which I feel has the best software out there for tournaments.  But I guess the securing of the live venues and the added prizepool, etc. means that Bluesq is part of the package. 

[Robert HM]

That's a good deal for the players surely? 

It is exeptional, no contest. But the reason an online company sponsors is the revenue and attraction, trust me the added packages all though huge, is a drop in the ocean from the revenue the sponsors will make. Just seems that PokerStars was nearly exhausted, so lets change it to another. All online companies will be fighting to get x000's of members so I would expect another change of sponsors next year. And so on.

Well if changing sponsors gets a better deal for players,why not do it?

For one reason and another I didn't play in any APAT event, online or live, last year, this year I will be joining and trying my hand at every event I can get into.

[dik9]

Well if changing sponsors gets a better deal for players,why not do it?

Fair comment, i will shut up now

[Acidmouse]

Excellent news, I aint interested in the live events but the Online series looks alot better, must have been lots of work involved in securing this..gratz

[Robert HM]

When does the season start?

[boldie]

When does the season start?

I'll definetly be signing up this season

[kinboshi]

When does the season start?

I'll definetly be signing up this season

Bloody foreigners...

[Zukertort]

I think the effort put in and results achieved by APAT and its organisers for season 2 is outstanding and will benifit most members. Obviously changes often do not suit everyone and i am sure that any constructive criticism or views expressing concerns will be heard and responded to in APAT's usual positive manner.
For me the change from Pokerstars to Blue Square appears a positive one and will give added value in many areas.

The regional qualifier system will introduce a more cost effective local entry into the National Championship. The possible challenge here is that the 11 casinos do not serve all areas of the UK effectively, Scotland being a large area for only one casino? But i am sure that more venues will come on board as the season/seasons progress. Although the 2,500 chips and 30 minute blinds are not the usual APAT format, they are practical for a one day regional qualifier.
Having the regional qualifiers on the same day in each region will restrict the possible extra regional points scoring in say the Southern region where 4 casinos are available.

Limiting the individual points scoring to twenty events with only 5 live ensures that players cannot dominate the points from specialising in live or online, a mix of results will be required to win.

The addition of events like the WCOAP in London, the APAT Forum Challenge, the APAT International Team Challenge all add value and interest to current and future APAT members.

Introducing the professional membership is interesting and will create a healthy debate from current APAT members, perhaps some current members already qualify for this new position already?

Apat is growing bigger and stronger under good management and along with the members elected representatives will raise the bar for amateur poker players everywhere.