Online poker and a format I would like to play

[Peter Costa]

About six years ago on a visit to the UK, I was stunned by the number of people I knew that no longer played online poker.  From recreational, to grinders and even some very good pro players.  At the time, I more or less lived from online and did so until “Black Friday” put a spanner in the works. Anyway, I heard a variety of reasons as to why most of them stopped playing.  From integrity issues, to too many bad beats and to everything in between.

Irrespective of the reasons, one thing is clear, online poker is in a constant battle to replenish the market with new blood.  But what does the market truly expect when you consider what poker actually is and what demands it places on players?   Add to that, the fact that 90-95% of those players will be losing players, and you understand that the poker product is far from ideal for both player and operator. 

But hey, that’s poker! 

In effect, operators are saying to players - take it or leave it.  Well, many have left and many more are still leaving.

At the same time, I read a Sunday supplement in which many of the top CEO’s from the gaming world, had been asked the question as to what the next big game was to rival poker.  Some of the answer were laughable.   Some suggested  chess, or backgammon.  Really?  Have you tried to play serious backgammon online? 

Anyway, it got me thinking.  I perhaps had an answer of sorts through a game I had created. So off I went to one of the operators, showed them a demo and within days, a deal was in place.  It wasn’t poker, but there was certainly a market for a game that was very close to my heart.  In the meantime, I could not get it out of my head that the next big game after poker, was going to be poker, but poker presented in a different format.  After all, the current product seemed far from perfect - or as players (make that, ex players) kept telling me.

I perhaps felt pleased that I at least, was on the way to offering players a new and fun game they could play for money - emphasis being “fun“.  Because in all honesty, the last thing I would call online poker is fun.  If I could make my living from online and feel like that about poker - how did that 90 odd % feel?  No, I was happy to get a deal for my game, but still craved to do something about poker. 

I emailed Phil Hellmuth (as he owned a small share) to tell him of the good news. He then informs that he was in London.  Then it came to me.  Out of the blue, I had a poker format that at least eradicated many of the negatives pointed out to me by friends.  I found myself in London the next day and showing him the format.  Suffice to say, a patent was filed the next day.

I was however, suddenly in a dilemma.  Do I go back to the operator with the new poker format or leave things as they were with a game that had meant so much to me?  I couldn’t resist it.  I had to find out. I needed to know if an operator would share the same view as Phil and I.  Within an hour of sending them the format, I had the answer. 

For reasons that I won‘t go into (too long and complex), I declined the deal.  Instead, I listened to Phil and his offer of a partnership and his suggestion that I should focus on creating more games.

In the meantime, the UIGEA bill was in force in the USA.  We obviously had no idea how long it would take to see it reversed, if indeed it ever would be. Irrespective, we decided to wait and see before we explored potential partnerships.  The wait has obviously been much longer than hoped for but, we are now finally seeing some major companies showing their hand. 

There have been many times when I wished I had signed that contract and seen the cash game format enjoyed (or not).  However, I believe that things happen for a reason.  All I can hope is that you (poker players and online gamers alike) will get to see plenty of those reasons in the coming years. 

In truth, it has been an amazing experience over these last few years.  Creating new games is not something I would recommend to anyone over the age of fifty. In fact, I doubt if I would recommend it to anyone as it is a slow and demanding process.  Furthermore, your are dealing with an industry in which a person’s position seems more important than anything else.  Some would rather stay conspicuous and simply get their monthly check, than look to rock the boat by daring to present a new idea to the bigwigs.  Do I blame them? No sir, I do not!

Perhaps just as importantly, some of the major sites would not even consider agreeing to a Non Disclosure Agreement.  In effect, it was easier to wait for the industry to change - for it to see that poker was far from ideal and that it needed new games and content. 

I think that wait is finally and we are starting to look at ways we can get some of our games (currently around 25 and counting), to market.  I hope so, because every game, every format and every feature has been created with the player in mind. 

Finally, while on the subject of formats.  I presented a format to WSOP people just last week (they obviously get loads of approaches).  They asked me what I wanted. -  I said I WANTED TO PLAY IT!. Nothing more. No money, No reward.  Anyway, they will see what the response is from a few pros. In the meantime, here if the format. If you think you may like it  for your local club, then fine.  Feel free to recommend it. 

BTW - I created the Shootout format on Party Poker in which 3 players advance each round.  It’s been running for about 7-8 years now and doing well. I just think players may like this one even better.


                                                    Shootout 50-50

Shootout 50-50 is a tournament format in which 50% of the players on one table  advance to the next round. This may apply to tables of  6, 8 or 10 players.

Benefits.

1. No breaking of tables.

2. No moving players.

3. No hand-for-hand

4. Reduces slow play

5. By seeding players after the first round (based on chip counts) it ensures that chip stacks will be more evenly spread throughout an event.  This will prove paramount in eradicating the luck factor of the draw and ensuring a level playing field during the late stages of an event. For example, with the current format and with three tables remaining, it’s possible that one table may be contain all the top nine stacks.

6. Dramatically reduces the luck factor associated with all the above.

7. Can be played to a conclusion (when 50% of players remain) or when a pre-determined number of levels has been reached. If a level limit is implemented, it is essential that slow play be eradicated by introducing a minimum number of hands to be played during the final level. If more than 50% remain after the final level, the required number of players to advance will be determined by chip count. 

8. Can dramatically increase interest in televised events as each table is played to a conclusion.

9. The shootout format is extremely popular with players and many feel that it is very much underused. This is despite the fact that only one player advances.  With Shootout 50-50 offering an even chance of advancing rather than the standard 10-1 chance, it could well be a way forward for tournament poker.

10. Poker is a game in which the luck factor can never be eradicated, however, we can at least eradicate the unnecessary luck associated with many aspects of a standard tournament.  Moreover, it takes the skill factor to that of a final table.  In effect, players will be able to apply the different strategy that is required for full table and for short-handed play.

11. Shootout-50  will dramatically reduce the workload of tournament staff.

If there's no objection - I may put up a few links to some demos that you may enjoy. It's not a working site or - just for potential partners to evalaute the games.

[Killerkilsby]

Sounds really good would def be interested in this.

[rfgqqabc]

Sounds like a lot of potential for mishaps. Current shootouts take place in rounds, once all tables are complete. What do you do here? If its in rounds again then there will be far too much waiting around for this to ever function anywhere apart from WSOP.

Also not sure how this speeds up slow play, having twice as many satellite esque bubble situations.

[MC]

Sorry, but: meh

[Gazza]

Would like to see a demo but there do seem to be issues with timing (waiting around as mentioned above) and staffing (more dealers required).

[jgcblack]

the idea of tweaking how to play 'poker' to make it more fun or more commercial has to be a good thing...

however I would also question the possibility/ validity in smaller fields or locations for this to not take a long time.


First and i'll admit not amazingly well thought out question - if you effectively have a table bubble every 5 players, isn't that going to affect dynamics/ timing immensely???

[Peter Costa]

Sounds like a lot of potential for mishaps. Current shootouts take place in rounds, once all tables are complete. What do you do here? If its in rounds again then there will be far too much waiting around for this to ever function anywhere apart from WSOP.

Also not sure how this speeds up slow play, having twice as many satellite esque bubble situations.

Thanks for the comment - that's what's I wanted.  You are are correct, it was for the WSOP that I had this in mind as not really meant for small tournaments except for online.  For example, would love to play a Sunday Milllion or big event online.  For WSOP for example, say it was given a limit of seven levels in which to conclude.  There would be dinner break after that level. Players would return either that day and continue to a set time for that day or come back the next day.  I've had one message from a card room in UK asking to use it - not sure for what event though. 

[EvilPie]

Sounds like a lot of potential for mishaps. Current shootouts take place in rounds, once all tables are complete. What do you do here? If its in rounds again then there will be far too much waiting around for this to ever function anywhere apart from WSOP.

Also not sure how this speeds up slow play, having twice as many satellite esque bubble situations.

Thanks for the comment - that's what's I wanted.  You are are correct, it was for the WSOP that I had this in mind as not really meant for small tournaments except for online.  For example, would love to play a Sunday Milllion or big event online.  For WSOP for example, say it was given a limit of seven levels in which to conclude.  There would be dinner break after that level. Players would return either that day and continue to a set time for that day or come back the next day.  I've had one message from a card room in UK asking to use it - not sure for what event though. 

They asked your permission? Have you patented it then or were they just being courteous?

[Peter Costa]

They asked your permission? Have you patented it then or were they just being courteous?

They were just being courteous. We have filed twenty odd patents but not on this.

[/quote]

[George2Loose]

Don't think it will take off tbh. Don't think people who play Mtt poker dislike the format.

[Peter Costa]

the idea of tweaking how to play 'poker' to make it more fun or more commercial has to be a good thing...

That's what many of the formats/games have been created for - juts hope you get a chance to have more fun in poker.

however I would also question the possibility/ validity in smaller fields or locations for this to not take a long time.

Yes, not really viable for small events.


First and i'll admit not amazingly well thought out question - if you effectively have a table bubble every 5 players, isn't that going to affect dynamics/ timing immensely???

If a limit to a level is in place, slow play would not benefit players as a ceratin number of hands will need to be played final level. When in the money, a player's position is determined by position on their table. For example, 10th, x$, 9th, xx$, 8th, xxx$ - just like the one on Party Poker.

[Peter Costa]

Don't think it will take off tbh. Don't think people who play Mtt poker dislike the format.

Understand George, I don't dislike MTT - but would like to play a big event using the format. Just like the one on Party, not meant to replace the current format, just looking to add a little change. The big change will hopefully come with the other formats that will look to take poker in a new direction.  Even with them, some with loathe changes, but poker needs to focus on the masses, i.e, recreational players if it's going to prosper. 

[jgcblack]

Very best of luck sir, innovation in poker should be encouraged.

[Ironside]

i think i like the idea

[roscopiko]

You want to create a game even more stacked in favour of better players to encourage more recs to play? does not compute, you would just create a way of driving more of the soft money away and recycling $$$ around the better players or syndicates of robots