Still on American time after getting back from Vegas yesterday. Been away for 10 days and I'm shattered. It was worth it though, we managed to get a lot done:
1. We met in Vegas with 2 software providers to discuss the online room for DTD. It's a 3 year committment taking on an online partner, and as I've said before, very tricky and murky waters. What has been encouraging is the interest among the software providers, who normally try and force you to deal with one of their cages. We have managed to negotiate deals direct with the software and banking providers (ie. be a "cage" ourselves) rather than be forced down the "skin" route. This is the only way that we will be able to return enough value to our players, retain control and be competitive. It's a long and trying process, with much small print, and I see it running on into the summer and beyond. It would be nice to launch our online side before the club opens, as our rewards scheme is linked to live poker in the club, buts it equally important not to get "bent over" on the software deal.
2. Me, Aces, Chubbs and Nick did a tour of all the card rooms in Vegas after I was knocked out of the Bellagio main event. In my opinion, the Venetion have a fantastic card room, its classy, loads of space, friendly staff and they have gone that little bit further with the small touches to make playing poker there as comfortable as possible. Next time I go to Vegas, I think I'll stay there, I liked it the best.
3. On Saturday. we hired a car and did the 300 mile drive to Los Angeles. We got lost and it ended up a 6 hour journey, mainly due to Trumpers navigation skills. We eventually arrived at the LA Commerce and booked into the Crown Plaza hotel which is next door. What a place, 120 tables, nearly every one full. They have recently added 30 extra tables to cope with demand, and it is busy 24-7.
4. We also visited the Bycycle Casino in LA, just 10 minutes from the La Commerce. They use a computer system which I am very interested in, and the Card Room Manager gave us a in depth demostration in how it works. I actually preferred the layout of the Bycyvle Casino, and it felt slightly more relaxed than the Commerce. These places really treat the poker player WELL. We took plenty of photos to remind us so we don't forget anything obvious in the DTD club.
5. A very worthwhile, but very tiring trip. The highlight of the trip for me was when we stopped for directions in downtown LA, Aces shouted over for directions from a few "gangster types" standing on the street corner (we just slid down our seats), they ingored him, but their dog came over, sniffed him, and narrowly missed his crown jewels with its teeth.....pity
6. Back at the Bellagio, there was no real time to play any poker or blackjack (I did manage a $5k profit "hit and run" session), as we had organised to meet as many people as possible. One was Mike Sexton from the WPT, who was very enthusiatic about DTD and the possibility of a UK leg of the WPT. Having Aces with us is very handy because everyone knows him and he very well respected in the game.......people seem willing to talk openly with us about future possibilites, although a WPT event in Nottingham seems a long long way away!
7. I was surprised about how quick news travels accross the water when I was in Dublin, but many of the american players I spoke to in Vegas also knew about our club. Whether we can ever be high enough profile for them to visit without paying "appearance fes etc" is another story, but it is nice that people are interested in what we are doing. I gave my card out to a few of the big names, you never know.....................
So, overall, a very good trip for DTD, but with flights, hotels, a 45 minute cash game session and my entry fee for the Bellagio, I arrived back on UK soil about $65,000 worse off and only $12 left in my pocket. My cashflow had taken a serious hit in the last 18 months and the money under the sofa is running out......................
When I got finally got home at 12pm yesterday I was just ready to get a good days sleep when Pete called me and said he needed to see me at 1pm. Then I got a call from my gaming solicitor saying that I had to meet him at 3pm to sign some forms that needed to go out by registered post that day. Then Rebecca called, my Finance Director, and said she need to see me aswell that afternnoon..........................what a life.
PS. Snoopy , I noticed you have moved this thread to
www.blondepoker.com/index page, should I be still putting it here?
Cheers Rob
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