DTD - Beginners Tournament

[Waz1892]

If I may say firstly, I think DTD, is without a shadow of doubt, the place to play poker. Period. No argue.

They launched a new beginners tournament last night, I assume to encourage more local players to venture into live poker, and into DTD itself. 

From a personal point of view, I thought this was great, as I was starting to think (and still have concerns in light of Mr Yongs recent blog entry) that DTD was moving away from the recreactional /occasional / low buyin player, which to say the least is maybe 95%+ of poker players, towards much more high-buyin / nightly / serious player.  Especially at the weekends when it seems it is £100 + entries.

So my point, and to seek opinion, the beginners tournament was launched, I persuaded a couple of friends from our local home game to come and join in for a taster of proper live poker and we ventured the round trip of nearly 3hrs.

Beforehand I checked as it was a "beginner" set up that having played a few APAT buyins and had been lucky enough to win 2 x £25 buyin tournaments at DTD, would I be eligable to play.

I was told that no restrictions are in place, but that it would be something that they'd maybe monitor.  Ie/ If someone won it every time, they'd be politely asked to refrain from playing again.

So cliffs (I believe the term is)

24 players turned up
At least 3 or 4 were VERY obviously not beginners, and were on first name terms with the dealers and floor managers, and walking over the table. 
For me this totally spoilt the game, and purpose of the event.  Other regulars came over and were laughing at who was playing
About halfway through the game, the floor manager came over and laughing and spoke to 2 players, asking what they were doing, and have 2 choices.
jokingly get disqualified, or play next Wednesday in a trial Ohama cash thing. It was the most light hearted, vailed threat given.

Thoughts?

My annoyance -

I felt an idiot asking if I was able to play, with a poultry £25 tournament win, when it obvious DTD didn't care who played
Mockery of those who tried to learn/play a possilble first tournament
But mainly that DTD floor managers and TD were laughing along with them at the fact they were playing, and light heartedly saying they shouldn't.

Being fair I acknowledge fully DTD did say they won't monitor who plays.

I felt it was simply laughing at the beginner players, and not taking the tournament seriously at all.

I was embarrased for my friends, and without a doubt they'll not bother again, and to quote " won't bother again, its very clickky"

I have raised these points via e-mail, as it has riled me, which is rare,  and I add again, DTD is the best place to play, just a shame it turned out like it did.

[TightEnd]

Hi Warren.

I spoke to DTD who tell me there's an email reply on its way to you, addressing the concerns with some stats for you

Interested to know if that helps you

See you soon

[Waz1892]

Hi Warren.

I spoke to DTD who tell me there's an email reply on its way to you, addressing the concerns with some stats for you

Interested to know if that helps you

See you soon

Hi Richard,

Many thanks for speaking with them, I look forward to recieving the email, and I'm sure I'll be happy with the resulting stats and feedback

[Skippy]

I felt an idiot asking if I was able to play, with a poultry £25 tournament win, when it obvious DTD didn't care who played

Don't be such a chicken.

[Waz1892]

I felt an idiot asking if I was able to play, with a poultry £25 tournament win, when it obvious DTD didn't care who played

Don't be such a chicken.

Eggsallent post

[DTD-ACES]

thanks for the feedback - it is MUCH appreciated, seriously, me and Nick have been chatting about this today and are restricting the event as per the email we sent you. Initially, any player that has played a £50 buy-in or more at DTD (ever) will not be allowed to play in the Beginner, if we have to make it £25 or lower - we will. This beginner comp was a soft launch with no marketing, we expected 18 ish players, hopefully w can build it with genione beginner players as I remember the first time I play live poker and found it daunting. In terms of recreational players, we are committed to poker at all levels but feel our place in the market needs to shift away from the more congested areas that the casinos operate in, its just an ongoing adjustment, nothing too drastic, for example, our Grand Prixs are here to stay.

Thanks again

Aces

[cambridgealex]

The beginners tournament is a great idea and is what attracted me to make my first trip to DTD when you ran the £10+4 about 3 years ago. Great to see it back and I'm sure it'll be very popular once tweaked.

[Waz1892]

thanks for the feedback - it is MUCH appreciated, seriously, me and Nick have been chatting about this today and are restricting the event as per the email we sent you. Initially, any player that has played a £50 buy-in or more at DTD (ever) will not be allowed to play in the Beginner, if we have to make it £25 or lower - we will. This beginner comp was a soft launch with no marketing, we expected 18 ish players, hopefully w can build it with genione beginner players as I remember the first time I play live poker and found it daunting. In terms of recreational players, we are committed to poker at all levels but feel our place in the market needs to shift away from the more congested areas that the casinos operate in, its just an ongoing adjustment, nothing too drastic, for example, our Grand Prixs are here to stay.

Thanks again

Aces

Aces, thanks for the prompt reply. I await the email (have checked just now) and I'm sure it'll assure me at your proposals.

The restrictions you state above would be perfect and it would indeed make it a true beginner tournament, and i will certainly ensure my friends are aware of the tweaks, and the fact that you have again shown your keeness to please as many as possible.

I too remember when the beginner was first launched and the very reason I started playing live. DTD was my first ever live venue.

It's remains my favourite.

So thanks for the reply, and having re read my email from last night I apologies for the non constructive format in which is was written

[smurf]

i suppose you will always get those who see these things like a soft touch to grab a few quid...just like the men who play the women only event at the wsop...(i call them the 90%) it would be a shame for your friends not to give it another go if DTD have tried to eliminate the issues for next time.

Played less than 10 live games myself and i remember i went to my local casino 3 times before plucking up the courage to play...as daft as it seems now it is very intimidating going to your first few especially when it seems clicky with dealers and players and you make mistakes with the bet sizes or folding out of turn etc.

 

[Waz1892]

Hi Warren.

I spoke to DTD who tell me there's an email reply on its way to you, addressing the concerns with some stats for you

Interested to know if that helps you

See you soon

It helped very much now I have recieved the reply and stats in question!

Embarrased to say the least, and as a result declined there very kind goodwill gesture.

Cliffs for all-

4 players played over £50 or over tournaments ( the new threshold) of which I was one of them, due to an appearance in a grand prix I'd forgotten about!

Very red faced and embarrased now!

(I'll be honest didn't want to be honest now I know, but is only fair I'm shown up on this occasion!!

[Fenix35]

I think these beginner tournaments are a great idea to bring back again. I know that when I started the whole casino experience and poker etiquette that comes with the game can be quite intimidating. It is all about comfort and not feeling overwhelmed when first starting out which brings players back regularly. Great initiative at DTD and I hope the beginner tournaments work out as intended and are a great success.

[kinboshi]

Surely the buy-in is what restricts it to a beginners' comp?  If there are any 'regulars' who want to play a comp with a £25 or lower buy-in then it probably suggests they aren't going to be the best players.  If they were any good they'd be playing a larger comp or the cash games.

Maybe £25 is still appealing to them, but maybe £15 or lower would work to restrict the players to 'beginners'.

[redsimon]

Surely the buy-in is what restricts it to a beginners' comp?  If there are any 'regulars' who want to play a comp with a £25 or lower buy-in then it probably suggests they aren't going to be the best players.  If they were any good they'd be playing a larger comp or the cash games.

Maybe £25 is still appealing to them, but maybe £15 or lower would work to restrict the players to 'beginners'.

Think the comp was £10 + £4?

[Alverton]

I think restricting it is a good idea, but if you make it a rule, I think you have to be flexible on the 'if you've played a tourney over £50 you're not aloud in'.

My Dad, Brother, and a few friends have all played £50 tourneys but not by choice, that was the only option.  (At the times they went.)  They are beginners, novices, know there limits who want to play live poker, but not spend £25+.  So this tourney would be perfect for them but to discount them just because they had no other option??  To give it some added perspective, my Dad has been in once this year, he'll maybe come in a few times again this year.  The others I doubt will if the only option is £25+.

[Karabiner]

Would it not be simpler to restrict it to players who have not cashed in a £50+ tourney?