Poker Commentary
"It looks as if the poker boom is surely here to stay."
No that quote and that picture do not go together. I found that optimistic quote while reading my "B" roll of poker blogs and realized it might be time to comment on the growing divide between those who believe the poker boom is still booming and those who are observing what they believe are the ripples after the shark has already reentered the water. [For the purists, I am aware that it was Fonzi what jumped the shark and the shark never jumped anything but Henry Winkler on skis is just not as compelling a picture as Carcharodon carcharias in mid-air.]
So, is interest in poker still going up or is it on the downslide? Well first, it depends. In the United States the trend is definitely on the downside. TV ratings are down; sponsors are bailing from poker shows; tournament buy-ins are off and yes, there are some poker rooms closing. There is, of course, the profound effects of the UIGEA limiting the online access of new players. But in the States the signs are still mixed, new casinos are putting in poker rooms; old rooms are still being remodeled with more space and more staff and some of the smaller tours are doing well. The problem in the U.S. is at the top of the food chain with the World Poker Tour in particular.
In Europe the boom is in full swing, despite the attempts of nearly ever national government to greedily slow down the expansion. The European Union members have been fencing over online poker rights in general and brick and mortar licensing in many instances too. Still the numbers are up on the European Poker Tour but not without some problems regarding size. The card rooms on the continent are not ready to handle 1,000 player tournaments and regional gaming regulators are clearly not as flexible as they are in the States. Remember the World Series of Poker is run in a large convention hall, far from the security of the day-to-day casino operations. Tournaments all over the United States run in big convention halls that few, if any, European casinos have access to without slow moving bureaucratic gaming commission oversight. When it comes to a poker boom; size does matter.
The Latin America Poker Tour (there were two, now one) requires the cooperation and approval of various countries and whatever governmental machinations they might wish to create, invent or impose. Same goes for the various Asian Poker Tours and the melange of countries in Asia that either oppose gambling or wish to restrict gaming within cultural and social boundaries. The boom may well be history in one part of the globe before a single hand of Hold'em is dealt in another.
What does it all mean? We are not completely sure, but we will keep on eye on the various factors pushing, pulling, and eroding the poker boom. One observation is clearly true: Insider's in the poker world have a very different view of the future of poker then does the average player. Not saying the insiders are right, perhaps they are too close to the subject but clearly, things they are a'changin'.
Rule Change(s)
One of the continuing struggles in poker is to institute standardized rules for all tournament play. There is honest debate among both players and tournament directors on many of the rules. I attended last year's Tournament Directors Association meeting and was impressed with the diversity of views on how rules should be written and applied.
So it was heartening today at the start of Day Three of the World Poker Tour Championship at Bellagio to see some true rule cooperation. Before the cards were in the air, reknown and respected Tournament Director Jack McCelland stood up with Daniel Negreanu and asked the players their opinion of the "Show One Show All" rule. Daniel has written often in his blog that the application of the rule, particularly at Bellagio is not what was intended.
Interpretation #1: If you show your cards to one player, you must show them to all players. This is a rule everyone agrees on.
Interpretation #2: If you show one of your cards to the table, you must show both cards. This is a rule that most players do not think is appropriate.
So Jack stood up and asked the players about the #2 application of the rule. The players nearly unanimously voted against it. At which point Jack changed the rule at Bellagio.
Now that is cooperation.
___________________________________________
Later in the day another new rule:
The Bellagio has implemented another new rule for the money bubble. If a table has players who are all in, they do not reveal their hole cards until all the tables either complete their hands or also reach an all-in situation. That way, players at other tables don't have the advantage of knowing whether a short stack is weak or strong, potentially affecting their decision.
Rule Change
One of the continuing struggles in poker is to institute standardized rules for all tournament play. There is honest debate among both players and tournament directors on many of the rules. I attended last year's Tournament Directors Association meeting and was impressed with the diversity of views on how rules should be written and applied.
So it was heartening today at the start of Day Three of the World Poker Tour Championship at Bellagio to see some true rule cooperation. Before the cards were in the air, reknown and respected Tournament Director Jack McCelland stood up with Daniel Negreanu and asked the players their opinion of the "Show One Show All" rule. Daniel has written often in his blog that the application of the rule, particularly at Bellagio is not what was intended.
Interpretation #1: If you show your cards to one player, you must show them to all players. This is a rule everyone agrees on.
Interpretation #2: If you show one of your cards to the table, you must show both cards. This is a rule that most players do not think is appropriate.
So Jack stood up and asked the players about the #2 application of the rule. The players nearly unanimously voted against it. At which point Jack changed the rule at Bellagio.
Now that is cooperation.
Wendeen H. Eolis Settles WPT Dust-Up
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Wendeen H. Eolis, World Poker Association Chairman, playing the 2007 WSOP
Imagine holding a championship poker event at a major Las Vegas casino and nobody came to play. It wasn't quite that bad last week when the World Poker Tour (WPT) held the 2008 Ladies Championship at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas; but, the 150 players in the events did not include some of the world's best known lady poker players.
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Susie Isaacs, two time WSOP bracelet winner, playing the 2007 WSOP
Led by two time WSOP champion Susie Isaacs, a group of female players cancelled their entry in the event after learning the WPT would be substracting 15% from the prize pool as a mandatory donation to event partner, Susan G. Koman for the Cure. The players indicated they were not opposed to the charity and have supported its goals through donations of cash and time; but, a "mandatory donation," without regard for the player's financial circumstances was unacceptable.
Enter the World Poker Association's Chairman, Wendeen H. Eolis, to settle the matter and smooth the feathers of those involved in the controversy. Eolis explains, "The furor has centered on the WPT's insensitivity to the varying financial means of 'working players' and more broadly on the decision to compel a charitable donation in an event labeled as a championship." In typical Wendeen H. Eolis fashion, she skips the minions and goes right to the top, to Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board of World Poker Tour Enterprises.
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board of World Poker Tour Enterprises
Following their dialogue, Mr. Berman issued the following statement, ""The WPT has re-evaluated its decision to make a charitable donation a condition for participation in the WPT Ladies Championship." He added, "In the future there will be no such requirement in a WPT championship event." As an added bonus, Eolis signed up Berman as a professional member of the WPA.
Congratulations to super negotiator, Wendeen H. Eolis for bringing this to a quick solution. Congratulations to Lyle Berman for taking the high road and retracting the mandatory requirement and a final congrats to Susie Isaacs and associates for having the fortitude to stand by their principles and demand the righting of a wrong.
Wendeen H. Eolis Settles WPT Dust-Up
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Wendeen H. Eolis, World Poker Association Chairman, playing the 2007 WSOP
Imagine holding a championship poker event at a major Las Vegas casino and nobody came to play. It wasn't quite that bad last week when the World Poker Tour (WPT) held the 2008 Ladies Championship at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas; but, the 150 players in the events did not include some of the world's best known lady poker players.
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Susie Isaacs, two time WSOP bracelet winner, playing the 2007 WSOP
Led by two time WSOP champion Susie Isaacs, a group of female players cancelled their entry in the event after learning the WPT would be substracting 15% from the prize pool as a mandatory donation to event partner, Susan G. Koman for the Cure. The players indicated they were not opposed to the charity and have supported its goals through donations of cash and time; but, a "mandatory donation," without regard for the player's financial circumstances was unacceptable.
Enter the World Poker Association's Chairman, Wendeen H. Eolis, to settle the matter and smooth the feathers of those involved in the controversy. Eolis explains, "The furor has centered on the WPT's insensitivity to the varying financial means of 'working players' and more broadly on the decision to compel a charitable donation in an event labeled as a championship." In typical Wendeen H. Eolis fashion, she skips the minions and goes right to the top, to Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board of World Poker Tour Enterprises.
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Board of World Poker Tour Enterprises
Following their dialogue, Mr. Berman issued the following statement, ""The WPT has re-evaluated its decision to make a charitable donation a condition for participation in the WPT Ladies Championship." He added, "In the future there will be no such requirement in a WPT championship event." As an added bonus, Eolis signed up Berman as a professional member of the WPA.
Congratulations to super negotiator, Wendeen H. Eolis for bringing this to a quick solution. Congratulations to Lyle Berman for taking the high road and retracting the mandatory requirement and a final congrats to Susie Isaacs and associates for having the fortitude to stand by their principles and demand the righting of a wrong.
Asian Poker Tour 2008
An estimated field of 400 players will gather in Manila next month for the first event of the 2008 Asian Poker Tour. The tournament is scheduled from May 27th to June 1st and carries a $1,000,000 guarantee. The tournament will have a $2,500 entry fee.
Well known tournament director, Matt Savage, has been lined up to run the event, which will be followed this year by events in Singapore, Macau and Seoul, South Korea. All four APT events for 2008 will be $1,000,000 guarantee tournaments.
WPT-Player Lawsuit Settled
Just last week in a post on the WPT, I mentioned the long running and lingering lawsuit between the World Poker Tour and five professional players. My observations was: "the WPT could have and should have settled several years ago." Well now the announcement has been made that the dispute has been settled.
The entire issue was centered on the wording of the WPT player release document and just how much control that gave the WPT to the use of player's images for the promotion of the WPT. Several different wordings had been proposed by both sides and now, finally, there has been an agreement reached.
According to Steve Lipscomb, CEO of the WPT:
“We are happy to have come to an agreement that is fair to all players, and to have put in place a new release that clears up ambiguities in how players’ images may be used.”
Chris Ferguson, speaking for the players, said:
“We are especially happy that this new release will apply to all poker players who wish to participate in WPT tournaments and events. WPTE has created some of the best poker events in the world, and we are excited to participate in them once again.”
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It will interesting to see if Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Andy Bloch and Phil Gordon are in the field at the WPT Championship today.
The Nines: Your Mind is Really in Vegas
photo by Special K• lasvegasvegas.com
Is it bigger than it used to be?I've been traveling for work recently. Unfortunately, none of that travel has taken me to Las Vegas. I was sent in the other direction to Germany and France. While there, I was struck by the differences between the old countries and the United States. I think Europe could use a little more 'Vegas', but there are similarities, and that led to this Top nine list:
9 Ways to Know That When Your Body is in Europe, Your Mind is Really in Vegas
9) Riding on the Autobahn @ 200 kph reminds you of your last cab ride down The Strip.
8) A museum volunteer tries to hand you a pamphlet and your first thought is that it's porn and you ignore her.
7) You think the really old buildings could be imploded to make way for bigger, newer buildings.
6) The cabbies and convenience store clerks don't speak English, just like in Vegas.
5) The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are bigger than you remember, but you've never been to this Paris before.
4) It occurs to you that the phrase "English only at the table" is probably not appropriate.
3) You'd sure like to find a $4.99 prime rib special. Heck, you'd like to find a $4.99 sandwich.
2) The fine marble of St. Mark's in Venice reminds you of the fine marble in the restrooms at the Venetian.
1) You choke up a little at the sight of neon.
Good Luck and Happy Trails,
Special K
Bodog poker’s Evelyn Ng takes on Two Bodog Online Players
photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com
Bodog's Evelyn Ng playing at the 2007 WSOP
Bodog's Tournament Leader Board heads-up matches took place in the Bodog Poker room with Bodog pro Evelyn Ng going up against two online poker players who were the winner's of their respective weeks.
First was the winner for the week of April 6, "vinnyb9." There was a $3,000 cash prize up for grabs that had rolled over from other player's failed attempt to take out a Bodog pro. This time, though, "vinnyb9″ succeeded and walked away with some hard-earned prize money.
Next up was Bodog regular Johnathan "UFPokerStar" Westra. Unfortunatly for him he had to go against Evelyn Ng after her loss to "vinnb9″ and she got her revenge, sending him home with zero dollars to show for winning the week of April 13. However he qualified for the $12,000 2008 WSOP Main Event prize package, so he has that to look forward to.
Think you could take on the Bodog Poker pros? Work your way up the Bodog weekly tournament leader board and get a shot at one of them and the cash that goes with the glory.. And if you want to be a part of Team Bodog at the 2008 WSOP, check out the 2008 WSOP online poker qualifiers.
Average Stack
My poker buddies have been having another of our periodic email conversations about a particular poker hand when the term "average stack" came up. Whenever I talk about average stack, there are always players, even very good players who are surprised by the numbers.
Average stack is simply the measure of how many chips each player would have in a tournament if you divide the total chips by remaining players. So you start an event with 10,000 chips each and 500 players, it makes sense that with 250 players remaining the average stack is 20,000. Half the players are out, so everyone should have twice as many chips. Of course, that is not how tournaments actually play and there will be a wide distribution of those 2.5 million chips.
Lots of tournament players keep track of the average stack, it is one of the statistics most good computerized tournament clocks provide. In a smaller field tournament you can keep a fairly accurate count just by knowing the starting field and how many players remain. In big events, you can just consult the tournament clock.
OK, so you have survived Day One of a multi-day tournament and you are just below average stack. What does that mean? Well, what it does not mean is that you are just below the middle of the the field, because average stack is not the middle of the field, at least not once the cards have been dealt. The way poker works is that some player build big stacks and lots of others are short stacked.
In most tournaments at the end of Day One, the average stack will be in the top quarter of the field. On average only around 25% of the field will be above average. If you keep your stack at or around average in the first three quarters of a tournament's playing time, you are actually doing well above average.
As play nears the final table, one of two things will happen to the average stack. Either the 25% rule will roughtly remain in effect and the final table will begin with several small stacks and a couple of big stacks or the big stacks will take out all of the small stacks as play approaches the final table and the final nine will be fairly equal in stacks, as they all have feasted on the short stacks equally.
Note: the longer a tournament runs, the higher the average stack percentage can go. In major tournaments of four or five days, players below average stack will at times be more than 80% of the field.
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