players association / governing body

[GlasgowBandit]

I agree with everything TIkay says but how far do you extend this do you have seperate Association for the UK, Europe and the US or do you have a world assoiation that no doubt many of the Americans would want to boss?

I reckon the first thing should be to establish a UK association, with office bearers and also representation from the likes of sponsors, casinos, gaming board etc.  I would suggest there should be a mimimal fee to any player who joins this association in order to keep up the running of the aforementioned

I also think we should have a standard set of rules for all uk clubs so that your not caught on the hop when you visit a new club. 

[steeley68]

A union would divide the game. An association is the way forward with everyone talking to each other and working together to achieve the same goals.

From what I have seem of unions, they do nothing of the sort. My father is a branch secretary of Unison and from what he tells me, it's just a bunch of loud mouthed egotistical morons always wanting the last word. Again, I don't mean to be rude, far from it. I'm totally new here. I'm just letting you know that a union might signal the end of this fantastic friendship I can see pumping through this forum.

I agree with tikay. Never met the man, but he talks with wisdom.

[bundle]

I agree Good post,

 But you must have misunderstood the thread as I did, they just want a name of someone to run it, not talk about what the job would entail..

Go figure….

[AdamM]

jeez another shitty tone

[Nem]

ffs guys sort it out

[steeley68]

 

I'm sorry. I thought you meant the 'old' union, not A union of people as in a fellowship. We do need a voice. Adam, take the stand.

[AdamM]

wasnt meant to be an ultra serious thread. just thinking if we were to have a governing body / union / etc who would you likely to see involved.

I thought Tikay was on the money by pointing out its the significant difference between us and much better paid games

[Karabiner]

My original idea, which I posted in the early days of Blonde was to have a/several

"Player's Representatives" who could then sit on a committee alongside Casino/cardroom managers and Sponsors.

I feel that we need a committee in which all the interested parties are represented.

These representatives were to be "Player's Liaison Officers", "Casino/Cardroom Liaison Officers" etc.

I agree with Tikay that going along the Union route is a waste of time

[The Rivercard]

Tikay is correct in wanting a governing body.     

I have spent a lot of time and money working in an industry that generates huge cash resources for a few select groups. Yet it is an industry that has over 2 million members! Unless poker is to be treated as a commercial venture where there are CLEAR guidelines and regulations supported and governed with the aim of supporting the players as well as the operators then it will not prosper.

There is little or no chance of poker having a voice as long as uneducated, narrow minded politicians and gaming board representatives who are bought off by the larger organisations control what is and is not acceptable.

The only way that poker will be accepted is if it creates a worldwide tour, appoints an official governing body, attracts serious main stream sponsors and secures several years TV rights. Then after 2 years if the tour is successful then it may be able to lobby for an independent review (which is what it will take for poker to have its own rules and guidelines). This will also needs to be supported by several prominent politicians and casinos.

I love poker and have had over 20 years of enjoyment in playing, meeting and working with the people that make it the most fascinating game there is. I only hope that there is enough momentum over the coming years to ensure that a regulatory body that understands poker and its players is formed. I for one would help this happen in any way I could.

[tikay]

Now this thread is getting nearer the mark, with some great, well-reasoned Posts.

Shame the thread is called "Players union" though.....!

So the original question - "who would head it up?" is not relevant, because the question was asked in the context of a Players Union, & a Players Union is clearly not the answer. You can't nominate someone to run something when you don't know what the job entails yet!

I don't want to single out anyone in particular, but I am much heartened by some really insightful Posts in this Thread, particularly on Page Two.

[Nem]

http://www.thehendonmob.com/jesse_jones/letter_to_poker_players.html

[divaflava]

hmmm... pro poker players won't contribute to the funding of NHS hospitals... yet u think they can bond together for a common good where self-interest is involved?

More likely - but I think 'Nah' is the most likely answer.

[The Dundonian]

The link that Nemesis posted from Jesse Jones is a good one and reiterates what Tikay was saying.

Tikay, it would be interesting to hear your view on Mr Jones's pitch for the WPA! Personally I am going to support it, it's a good starting point and would be more succesful with the support of the bigger names on Blonde.

Golfers, darts and snooker players are all individualistic and built around a self centred culture much the same as poker, yet they have very powerful, succesful players associations, with a huge say in their individual areas.

[madasahatstand]

id nominate nemesis and mp3 boy to represent blonde on an association as they always contribute well thought out responses to simple to complex issues. has anyone written supporting the hendon mob in their drive to develop an association? surely it would be best to make sure there is only 1 association with lots of weight behind it, but with reps from regional areas such as scotland or uk? this would allow representation of local issues for example the new smoking ban and its impact on the game.  work like this needs committment and determination but i suppose there are lots of folk with a passion who would be willing to take it on.
how would this association be funded?

mad

[thediceman]

this would allow representation of local issues for example the new smoking ban and its impact on the game. 

I think this issue is easily resolved, the government states it wants a ban on smoking in such environments and thats what happens. I don't fancy any associations chances in challenging this.

A single voice, an association representating players interests, working along side other interested parties is something the game needs but it will never lead to one homogenous product, neither should it, whilst governments have differing gaming laws. I also only see any association having a real impact on the professional game as your local smaller games will always be adapted to the wim of the various companies running those games. Therefore any association to most recreational players is of limited or no real interest as it will have no real impact.

The key reason I think an association needs to be formed is that players are frequently being screwed over when it comes to their rights with regards to signing unbelievably onesided unfair media contracts if they happen to do well in a tournement. I understand some tournments require you to sign a waiver prior to the competition starting which is fine as you know what you are getting into but I find it amazing some tournaments they expect to sign one if you qualify for the final televised stages. Well done sir on playing well. I know you paid your own entry fee and qualified for the final, we now require you to sign this form if you want to continue that allows us to exploit your name as we see fit. A tad unreasonable? but hey most players don't care whether their being exploited as long as they get on tv