Bad News/Amsterdam Masters

[NoflopsHomer]

Although Blonde has been able to update the Amsterdam Masters for the past few years, I'm afraid I have to announce that this year we will be unable to do so. This is because of a change in Dutch law over the last year, which means that when we asked about Media Accreditation, we were told that the event does not:

"...allow media/ reporters that are directly involved with online poker gaming websites. As blondepoker.com is directly involved in online poker gaming we can not give you press accreditation. This because online poker gaming is illegal in the Netherlands. We need to follow the rules of our government."

This is a great shame because the event is generally considered to be one of the best in Europe. Sadly there is little we can do about this, but we might be able to give you a few reports from the event. Obviously for those people who are going to play the event, please feel free to post your tournaments diaries/reports up on Blonde as I'm sure they will be greatly appreciated by everyone.

There will still be another update going on from the 8th - 11th of November, the Gala Poker Tour Grand Final in Bristol which Blonde was covering anyway, so those who'll need an update fix next week will still be able to get it.

[booder]

could you not be representatives of DTD live poker club ?

[AndrewT]

could you not be representatives of dtd live poker club ?

...which has its own online poker room.

[tikay]

could you not be representatives of dtd live poker club ?

We have looked at ways of trying to get round the problem, but none of them really work terribly well.

I was with Poker 425 in 2005 & we got banned by Amsterdam too, because we were connected with a Gaming Room. Such things are frowned upon by the Dutch Government. Who run all the Casinos in Holland.....

[TightEnd]

Jen Mason and Dana are going to be in Amsterdam and have kindly agreed to report back for us during the comp via a daily blog etc etc

So at least we'll get some feedback, and knowing Jen very interesting feedback, from the Masterclassics

[portfolio]

government double standards aside,

the queues, appalling service and worst ever food /buffet i have had in a casino in 2004 would stop me returning  to what   feels like a govt institution, most strange for one of europes best cities.

[tikay]

government double standards aside,

the queues, appalling service and worst ever food /buffet i have had in a casino in 2004 would stop me returning  to what   feels like a govt institution, most strange for one of europes best cities.

All of which is true. The oddity is that the Fessie, & the Tourneys, are absolutely superb, & run with clinical efficiency. It  was at the Master Classics that I had my first ever experience of Tourneys thst started on time - to the SECOND - with Breaks treated the same way. They had Plasmas (unusual in those days) with "countdown cclocks", & when the seconds ran down to zero, the Dealers dealt. Come what may. Superb. And that is what we do in APAT, too.

UK Tourneys that start on time are a rarity, & it was said that it would all change come September 1st, but it has not, the punctuality of Tournament Starting times remains horrendous. Luton, to be fair, are a glorious exception these days, in fact thay often start a few minutes early, but NEVER late.

As to missing the Amsterdam Live Update, we at blonde are very sorry, but we tried every avenue, to no avail.

[portfolio]

given the dubious     online  connection for not allowing you in, how ironic is it that there are loads of qualifiers to the classics online??

treble standards??

[tikay]

given the dubious     online  connection for not allowing you in, how ironic is it that there are loads of qualifiers to the classics online??

treble standards??

Agreed - 300%.

[kenjude]

CardPlayer Europe this month is reporting that the EPT TV shows may be forced off the air here because PokerStars servers are based in a non-approved location as far as the new advertising regulations here are concerned - or they may have to move their servers!

Yet another example of government clowns poking their noses into issues that they don't need to get involved in and causing havoc.

[K9sixtwo]

Pure Lunacy !!!

My God .... take note those who hold Holland up as a land of freedom.... You can smoke your dubious substances and pay some filly to attend to your carnal needs having window shopped for them .... But woe betide you if you have a bash at online poker .... shocking !

[dik9]

I don't know if it will help, but if you want to use my forum which has no adverts or affiliates and I wil transfer the data to blonde?

[TightEnd]

thanks, we had another similar offer too this morning

Just investigating whether we've cancelled the hotel etc before we decide on something like this

The offer is much appreciated

[dik9]

No problem, just give us a shout if needed Rich

[tikay]

I don't know if it will help, but if you want to use my forum which has no adverts or affiliates and I wil transfer the data to blonde?

Thanks Rich. As Tighty stated, we have had a "rescue" offer in the last few hours, & we are feverishly working out if it's do-able.

We may not be able to reveal the methodology for a while, in case we get rumbled by the Dutch Authorities, but there is a possible solution in sight.