A big thank you to all of you.

[Simon Galloway]

Alastair,
I'm sure you've made a positive move, no point in staying put if that is how the company is run.  Best of luck!

[pokermuppet]

alistair, good luck at d2d-the right move for the right reasons

[Slick Kid]

What a lovely Post by Alastair.

I, & all at blonde, wish you every success at dtd.

These things are wholly subjective, but in my view, the best two CardRooms in the UK, by a country mile, are G-Luton & dtd. Much of that comes down to a single factor - the players & Staff who play & work there. Clearly, dtd do most things better, at the moment, but G-Luton gets the prize for the most spacious Cardroom in the UK, where we can wander freely without tripping over chairs & tables.

I shall continue to support both G-Luton & dtd, & I look forward to hooking up with you in dtd very soon. (I'll be there this Sunday).

Thank you for all yoir efforts & friendship at Luton, & good luck with your new job.

Top Man You.

Tikay, l speak to numerous people who continually say that BLONDE is too nicey nicey and that any controversial posts are removed instantly. I try not to agree with this as l dance near to the edge when l post but Jesus this post must fit into the NICEY NICEY NICEY bracket in respect to Luton.

How can u justify putting the G Casino, Luton in the same sentence as dusk till dawn in comparison to other Cardrooms. Walsall is miles better than Luton, The Vic is miles better than Luton, Speilers, Southend is miles better than Luton. If you keep posting that everything is hunky dorey in Luton, they will start believing it themselves. Surely, Steive Wonder would know that the two best cardrooms in England at the minute are the Vic and dusk till dawn, with the latter miles ahead in professionalism and service.

Come on Tony, your not doing the old table chat now mate.

I would love to do a SIMPLE experiment: Bring an American who has never played in England to each respective Cardroom on an individual Saturday with a check list of all things relevant to a poker player. Be interesting to see the results, below is a rough idea how l would mark it.

CARDROOM APPEARANCE   C/ROOM STAFF     SEAT/TABLES  CHIPS/CARDS DEALERS  T/DIRECTOR   INF/SCRS VALETS  FOOD/DRINK     ATMOSPHERE  TOTAL

The Vic                  8                 5                        9                      7                      7                   9                   6                    8              8                         9                 76

Dusk                     10                9                       10                    10                      7                  10                 10                   9              10                       10                95

G Luton                  8                 7                       5                      6                       9                   9                   8                   5               6                         7                 70

[TightEnd]

Mick you are not comparing like for like though, dtd is a dedicated poker room etc etc , the others parts of national chains where other interests take precedence

Not criticising dtd at all, I beleive its great for poker players, but its hopeless to expect any casino based card-room to score well against it

by all means compare the Vic and Luton.

When you do, for average buy in type tournaments (especially structures), atmosphere to play in (ie the regulars smile, converse etc) and ease of reaching it (for those outside London) then Luton scores well IMO. Both are recently refurbed. Where Vic scores well is TDing, dealing etc

Neither though are doing a good enough job on valets....However at Luton tonight..4 tables start at 8.30pm on the dot and all four are served by a valet each immediately

Progress!

[turny]

Mick you are not comparing like for like though, dtd is a dedicated poker room etc etc , the others parts of national chains where other interests take precedence

Not criticising dtd at all, I beleive its great for poker players, but its hopeless to expect any casino based card-room to score well against it

by all means compare the Vic and Luton.

When you do, for average buy in type tournaments (especially structures), atmosphere to play in (ie the regulars smile, converse etc) and ease of reaching it (for those outside London) then Luton scores well IMO. Both are recently refurbed. Where Vic scores well is TDing, dealing etc

Neither though are doing a good enough job on valets....However at Luton tonight..4 tables start at 8.30pm on the dot and all four are served by a valet each immediately

Progress!

and tighty home early out of the money -----some things never change 

[Slick Kid]

Mick you are not comparing like for like though, dtd is a dedicated poker room etc etc , the others parts of national chains where other interests take precedence

Not criticising dtd at all, I beleive its great for poker players, but its hopeless to expect any casino based card-room to score well against it

by all means compare the Vic and Luton.

When you do, for average buy in type tournaments (especially structures), atmosphere to play in (ie the regulars smile, converse etc) and ease of reaching it (for those outside London) then Luton scores well IMO. Both are recently refurbed. Where Vic scores well is TDing, dealing etc

Neither though are doing a good enough job on valets....However at Luton tonight..4 tables start at 8.30pm on the dot and all four are served by a valet each immediately

Progress!ed

Richard, when the great G Luton opened it was advertised to have a separate cardroom. When l first visited l was not impressed as it had been hyped up to be a great cardroom. I have slowly grown to hate it. The Casino has tactically placed the cardroom so that u have to pass all house games and u cant even close a door or pull a panel across to stop hearing the bloody music or sound of the table games.

[TightEnd]

well I agree with you on some of this

I hate the music too, but the G concept is as a destination venue for all sorts of casino visitors. As it happens most acts play to empty rooms, no one paying attention. Waste of money really to book them

Also the original design allowed for massive doors at both entrances to the card-room. These turned up and it is not for me to speculate why they were not installed, as I don't know the facts

As to design of casino, what you say is entirely true, but the room is exactly the same design as G Manchester, only built 12 months later with "enhancements". From their business point of view, one such "enhancement" is to make sure we have to pass the tables. In Manchester you don't, but the poker room is far more open.

As I said before, its a casino business not a dedicated poker club....different priorities. Its frustrating!

[turny]

well I agree with you on some of this

I hate the music too, but the G concept is as a destination venue for all sorts of casino visitors. As it happens most acts play to empty rooms, no one paying attention. Waste of money really to book them

Also the original design allowed for massive doors at both entrances to the card-room. These turned up and it is not for me to speculate why they were not installed, as I don't know the facts

As to design of casino, what you say is entirely true, but the room is exactly the same design as G Manchester, only built 12 months later with "enhancements". From their business point of view, one such "enhancement" is to make sure we have to pass the tables. In Manchester you don't, but the poker room is far more open.

As I said before, its a casino business not a dedicated poker club....different priorities. Its frustrating!

you have got to see grosvenors side of things as the place is an absolute goldmine on a friday and saturday night but its not because of the poker. So why should they sacrifice what is obviously working business wise to keep a few poker players happy.

they need to find the balance, personally i think the live music mon to thurs is a waste of money but can see the need for some sort of entertainment fri to sun to keep the clientel they are attracting.

cant understand why the two entrances to the poker rooms have not got sliding doors to be used at weekends and during festivals. even if you just shut off the top end it would make a massive difference sound wise.
wouldnt be practical to shut the far end as the smoking area is reached via that end of the cardroom (another stupid idea when designed)

the cardroom is self contained with toilets and its own bar(which is never used apart from the gukpt event) so it should be very easy to run staff wise imo.

[ihatethevic]

What a lovely Post by Alastair.

I, & all at blonde, wish you every success at dtd.

These things are wholly subjective, but in my view, the best two CardRooms in the UK, by a country mile, are G-Luton & dtd. Much of that comes down to a single factor - the players & Staff who play & work there. Clearly, dtd do most things better, at the moment, but G-Luton gets the prize for the most spacious Cardroom in the UK, where we can wander freely without tripping over chairs & tables.

I shall continue to support both G-Luton & dtd, & I look forward to hooking up with you in dtd very soon. (I'll be there this Sunday).

Thank you for all yoir efforts & friendship at Luton, & good luck with your new job.

Top Man You.

Tikay, l speak to numerous people who continually say that BLONDE is too Nice nicey and that any controversial posts are removed instantly. I try not to agree with this as l dance near to the edge when l post but Jesus this post must fit into the NICEY NICEY NICEY bracket in respect to Luton.

How can u justify putting the G Casino, Luton in the same sentence as dusk till dawn in comparison to other Cardrooms. Walsall is miles better than Luton, The Vic is miles better than Luton, Speilers, Southend is miles better than Luton. If you keep posting that everything is hunky dorey in Luton, they will start believing it themselves. Surely, Steive Wonder would know that the two best cardrooms in England at the minute are the Vic and dusk till dawn, with the latter miles ahead in professionalism and service.

Come on Tony, your not doing the old table chat now mate.

I would love to do a SIMPLE experiment: Bring an American who has never played in England to each respective Cardroom on an individual Saturday with a check list of all things relevant to a poker player. Be interesting to see the results, below is a rough idea how l would mark it.

CARDROOM APPEARANCE   C/ROOM STAFF     SEAT/TABLES  CHIPS/CARDS DEALERS  T/DIRECTOR   INF/SCRS VALETS  FOOD/DRINK     ATMOSPHERE  TOTAL

The Vic                  8                 5                        9                      7                      7                   9                   6                    8              8                         9                 76

Dusk                     10                9                       10                    10                      7                  10                 10                   9              10                       10                95

G Luton                  8                 7                       5                      6                       9                   9                   8                   5               6                         7                 70

Hi
In your post you give the Vic cardroom staff 5 out of a possible 10, could I ask why the score is so low?

I've been a dealer/supervisor at the Vic for about 5 years now, I'm the first to admit that everyone there could do alot better in the customer service department and maybe even smile sometimes. Most of the staff there however,are very professional and hard working.

The type of players we attract,expect alot more then most, they also have  massive ego problems, this can be  a very challenging and often unpleasant environment to work in.

 Is there any specific area's, where you feel we could improve? We must be doing something wrong to score so low and I for one would like to improve.
 Thank you in advance for any constructive criticism.

[kenjude]

Mick you are not comparing like for like though, dtd is a dedicated poker room etc etc , the others parts of national chains where other interests take precedence

I haven't been to the Vic and nor I have yet been to DtD. But I see no problem with poker players comparing casino card rooms directly to DtD. For a poker player with no interest in a casino's wider service offering they both represent only one thing: a place to play poker. That's like for like as far as I'm concerned.

If that gives DtD a competitive advantage in any comparative exercise, so be it. They have focused on their market and tailored their offering accordingly, so they deserve it.

And if they aren't like for like and comparable, why did the casinos fight so long and so hard to prevent DtD opening?

[TightEnd]

Yes but the poker players are a minority of the casino group's customers. I don't wish to stand up for the casinos per se, I have stated often enough that I find them baffling to deal with and their strategies make me scratch my head..but to compare them to dtd and expect them to match dtd's levels of service and experience for the poker player is a bit harsh I think considering the casinos have other priorities

as to why they tried to stop it (and not talking about Grosvenor here clearly), well its entrenched provider mentality to prevent new competition by whatever means but in one area of their bsusiness only. I also suspect they feared that Rob would open table games etc etc

[kenjude]

I hear what you say Richard and of course their varying priorities might mean they can't match the experience DtD provides to poker players.

But it doesn't make a direct comparison harsh - it's just a logical thing for poker players to do where they have alternative venues they can use.

[Slick Kid]

What a lovely Post by Alastair.

I, & all at blonde, wish you every success at dtd.

These things are wholly subjective, but in my view, the best two CardRooms in the UK, by a country mile, are G-Luton & dtd. Much of that comes down to a single factor - the players & Staff who play & work there. Clearly, dtd do most things better, at the moment, but G-Luton gets the prize for the most spacious Cardroom in the UK, where we can wander freely without tripping over chairs & tables.

I shall continue to support both G-Luton & dtd, & I look forward to hooking up with you in dtd very soon. (I'll be there this Sunday).

Thank you for all yoir efforts & friendship at Luton, & good luck with your new job.

Top Man You.

Tikay, l speak to numerous people who continually say that BLONDE is too Nice nicey and that any controversial posts are removed instantly. I try not to agree with this as l dance near to the edge when l post but Jesus this post must fit into the NICEY NICEY NICEY bracket in respect to Luton.

How can u justify putting the G Casino, Luton in the same sentence as dusk till dawn in comparison to other Cardrooms. Walsall is miles better than Luton, The Vic is miles better than Luton, Speilers, Southend is miles better than Luton. If you keep posting that everything is hunky dorey in Luton, they will start believing it themselves. Surely, Steive Wonder would know that the two best cardrooms in England at the minute are the Vic and dusk till dawn, with the latter miles ahead in professionalism and service.

Come on Tony, your not doing the old table chat now mate.

I would love to do a SIMPLE experiment: Bring an American who has never played in England to each respective Cardroom on an individual Saturday with a check list of all things relevant to a poker player. Be interesting to see the results, below is a rough idea how l would mark it.

CARDROOM APPEARANCE   C/ROOM STAFF     SEAT/TABLES  CHIPS/CARDS DEALERS  T/DIRECTOR   INF/SCRS VALETS  FOOD/DRINK     ATMOSPHERE  TOTAL

The Vic                  8                 5                        9                      7                      7                   9                   6                    8              8                         9                 76

Dusk                     10                9                       10                    10                      7                  10                 10                   9              10                       10                95

G Luton                  8                 7                       5                      6                       9                   9                   8                   5               6                         7                 70

Hi
In your post you give the Vic cardroom staff 5 out of a possible 10, could I ask why the score is so low?

I've been a dealer/supervisor at the Vic for about 5 years now, I'm the first to admit that everyone there could do alot better in the customer service department and maybe even smile sometimes. Most of the staff there however,are very professional and hard working.

The type of players we attract,expect alot more then most, they also have  massive ego problems, this can be  a very challenging and often unpleasant environment to work in.

 Is there any specific area's, where you feel we could improve? We must be doing something wrong to score so low and I for one would like to improve.
 Thank you in advance for any constructive criticism.

Hi there,

l enjoy the Vic and certainly know where ur coming from, when you talk about the egos who play there, but that is a general thing in poker. You definitely have problems though, which could be simply rectified. Also, before l say anything, l'm sure this is only relevant during Festivals as this is when l visit.

Before l came for your last fessie, no one but Jeff could tell me structures, times, chips etc. When l got there the staff weren't much better, everyone needs to be singing off the same sheet. The organization and numbers of dealers means that massive lists for cash tables start forming and hardly NO one table sats ever get going. The other thing is you need to get a few more screens as there are many blind spots which require you to get up or shout to someone for tourney details.

One last thing is your frequent structure changes. You need to stick to what you say initially and not change to accommodate a few players as this spoils it for lots of others. Alot of people who travel are spending alot of money to play a £300 FO for the first time and they deserve a good structure, otherwise they wont be back.

In my eyes the Vic has turned into a great cardroom this year and lm sure it will get better as it has competent management.

Mick

[tikay]

What a lovely Post by Alastair.

I, & all at blonde, wish you every success at dtd.

These things are wholly subjective, but in my view, the best two CardRooms in the UK, by a country mile, are G-Luton & dtd. Much of that comes down to a single factor - the players & Staff who play & work there. Clearly, dtd do most things better, at the moment, but G-Luton gets the prize for the most spacious Cardroom in the UK, where we can wander freely without tripping over chairs & tables.

I shall continue to support both G-Luton & dtd, & I look forward to hooking up with you in dtd very soon. (I'll be there this Sunday).

Thank you for all yoir efforts & friendship at Luton, & good luck with your new job.

Top Man You.

Tikay, l speak to numerous people who continually say that BLONDE is too nicey nicey and that any controversial posts are removed instantly. I try not to agree with this as l dance near to the edge when l post but Jesus this post must fit into the NICEY NICEY NICEY bracket in respect to Luton.

How can u justify putting the G Casino, Luton in the same sentence as dusk till dawn in comparison to other Cardrooms. Walsall is miles better than Luton, The Vic is miles better than Luton, Speilers, Southend is miles better than Luton. If you keep posting that everything is hunky dorey in Luton, they will start believing it themselves. Surely, Steive Wonder would know that the two best cardrooms in England at the minute are the Vic and dusk till dawn, with the latter miles ahead in professionalism and service.

Come on Tony, your not doing the old table chat now mate.

I would love to do a SIMPLE experiment: Bring an American who has never played in England to each respective Cardroom on an individual Saturday with a check list of all things relevant to a poker player. Be interesting to see the results, below is a rough idea how l would mark it.

CARDROOM APPEARANCE   C/ROOM STAFF     SEAT/TABLES  CHIPS/CARDS DEALERS  T/DIRECTOR   INF/SCRS VALETS  FOOD/DRINK     ATMOSPHERE  TOTAL

The Vic                  8                 5                        9                      7                      7                   9                   6                    8              8                         9                 76

Dusk                     10                9                       10                    10                      7                  10                 10                   9              10                       10                95

G Luton                  8                 7                       5                      6                       9                   9                   8                   5               6                         7                 70

Hi Mick,

I really don't mind if folks do or don't say blonde, & my Posts, are too "nicey nicey". I write as I find (perhaps you've never read my Diary, where I say exactly what I think), and Alastair had Posted a "thanks" thread. I happen to think the guy is a well-intended guy, of pleasant disposition, who - & this is key - did his best. As such, my thanks to him were genuine. Is it really such a bad thing to say "thank you" to a guy who has taken the trouble to Post a "thank you & goodbye" Post?

I also note your views on Luton relative to other Cardrooms, & I'm fine with that. Because they are just that - views - NOT facts. My comments on Luton & DTD are the same thing - they are my views, or opinion. They are not, of course, facts, because the matter is subjective. You yourself were openly & strongly critical of DTD earlier this year - & that's fine, that's your right. Subsequently, you recognized the place & the people for what they were & said as much. The Posts were not "nicey nicey", but they were not removed, because that's your right - to Post opinions & views. It's my right, too.

I like, & dislike, lots of things about lots of Cardrooms, & I say what I think. I happen to be of the view - just a view, not a fact - that luton & DTD are the best two Cardrooms in the UK right now. Personally, I'm not comfortable in The Vic, but you are. That's fine - each to their own.

I have been praiseworthy & critical of Luton, as the cap fits. Witness my comments about their recent "League", which stole & plundered players money.

I have been praiseworthy & critical of DTD, too. Critical? Yes, there was something there - a very important detail - that I thought was wrong. Simon & Rob both asked for such comments to be made directly to them, so I did just that - I told them personally. So they sorted the "problem" & we (the players) got something extra from DTD that many of us wanted.

We all go about the same things in different ways Mick. But we must differentiate between opinion & facts.

I have no problem with your views on the relative quality of UK Cardrooms. I don't agree with them, but so what? Each to their own!

See you Sunday, at DTD. But presumably not on Monday, at Luton.

[tikay]

What a lovely Post by Alastair.

I, & all at blonde, wish you every success at dtd.

These things are wholly subjective, but in my view, the best two CardRooms in the UK, by a country mile, are G-Luton & dtd. Much of that comes down to a single factor - the players & Staff who play & work there. Clearly, dtd do most things better, at the moment, but G-Luton gets the prize for the most spacious Cardroom in the UK, where we can wander freely without tripping over chairs & tables.

I shall continue to support both G-Luton & dtd, & I look forward to hooking up with you in dtd very soon. (I'll be there this Sunday).

Thank you for all yoir efforts & friendship at Luton, & good luck with your new job.

Top Man You.

Tikay, l speak to numerous people who continually say that BLONDE is too Nice nicey and that any controversial posts are removed instantly. I try not to agree with this as l dance near to the edge when l post but Jesus this post must fit into the NICEY NICEY NICEY bracket in respect to Luton.

How can u justify putting the G Casino, Luton in the same sentence as dusk till dawn in comparison to other Cardrooms. Walsall is miles better than Luton, The Vic is miles better than Luton, Speilers, Southend is miles better than Luton. If you keep posting that everything is hunky dorey in Luton, they will start believing it themselves. Surely, Steive Wonder would know that the two best cardrooms in England at the minute are the Vic and dusk till dawn, with the latter miles ahead in professionalism and service.

Come on Tony, your not doing the old table chat now mate.

I would love to do a SIMPLE experiment: Bring an American who has never played in England to each respective Cardroom on an individual Saturday with a check list of all things relevant to a poker player. Be interesting to see the results, below is a rough idea how l would mark it.

CARDROOM APPEARANCE   C/ROOM STAFF     SEAT/TABLES  CHIPS/CARDS DEALERS  T/DIRECTOR   INF/SCRS VALETS  FOOD/DRINK     ATMOSPHERE  TOTAL

The Vic                  8                 5                        9                      7                      7                   9                   6                    8              8                         9                 76

Dusk                     10                9                       10                    10                      7                  10                 10                   9              10                       10                95

G Luton                  8                 7                       5                      6                       9                   9                   8                   5               6                         7                 70

Hi
In your post you give the Vic cardroom staff 5 out of a possible 10, could I ask why the score is so low?

I've been a dealer/supervisor at the Vic for about 5 years now, I'm the first to admit that everyone there could do alot better in the customer service department and maybe even smile sometimes. Most of the staff there however,are very professional and hard working.

The type of players we attract,expect alot more then most, they also have  massive ego problems, this can be  a very challenging and often unpleasant environment to work in.

 Is there any specific area's, where you feel we could improve? We must be doing something wrong to score so low and I for one would like to improve.
 Thank you in advance for any constructive criticism.

As it happens, I would give the same score on the Dealers & Staff at The Vic. It's probably because I always catch them on a bad day, (or maybe they catch ME on a bad day!) but smiles, eye contact, & "hi" are free, & I don't see much of that there. The Reception Staff in particular are renowned for it. I have always found Jeff, Brian, Joe & Niall to be ultra-friendly though.

I pretty much quit playing at The Vic a few years ago because of the frequency with which they amended Tournament Structures mid-comp, which I happen to think is very wrong. And, oddly, it's not a lucky venue for me -, I freely admit - I've Cashed in just about every Cardroom I've ever played in, but never at The Vic, so perhaps that clouds my judgement.

I played some cash there last week, & I'm sorry to say, as I Posted in my Diary, it was not exactly to my taste, shall we say, everyone seemed so glum. Immediately prior to that, we (APAT) had held the Onlive World Amateur Final there, parallel with Regional Qualifiers, & they Hosted those both beautifully, I must say. I wrote & thanked The Vic the next day, by the way.

The Dealers for that were, on the whole, bright & cheery. With one exception. APAT consists, in the main, & as is well-known, of largely inexperienced players. One player, clearly never having played much "Live" Poker, made a string bet. In fact, he placed 3 stacks in the middle, one after the other. Clearly a "no-go", & the Dealer rightly rejected the bet. But he never said a word - just, one by one, returned the three stacks to the other side of the line, & the player was non-plussed, until I explained how it works.

A little word from the Dealer to the Player would have gone a long way, yes?

Finally, how bizarre that you are (very rightly & fairly) defending the Staff at The Vic, given your blonde alias.....! (I know, I'm being tongue-in-cheek, but it tickled me).

Have a good Christmas, fella, & see you soon.