You're a Bunch of Factors

Hi Guys,

This is a discussion thread, I am not making an announcement on these changes as we are here to discuss them and I am seeking your feedback. The points in bold are the areas I really need feedback on.

There are quite a few changes and major developments that will be occurring and will come to light over the coming months but to begin with I would like to discuss and seek your feedback on some of the major developments that I am proposing for the 888PL competition in 2010.

1.) Noone will be happy with this but we are scrapping the Challenge Semi Final concept and moving to one $30K Semi Final in Vic and SA with more of an emphasis on creating a true two day state based carnival atmosphere. We are also looking to stretch the payouts out to over the top 30 for this event.

2.) Points Multipliers - Regular 888PL events will having the following multipliers applied. All Away events will have a x 5 multiplier applied, Challenge home events will have a x 3 multiplier applied and Foundation Home Events will have the standard multiplier attached. I have attached an excel spreadsheet below that will allow you to mess around with field sizes and multipliers and base points so you can see how this works. The reason for doing this is to try and equalize the effect online freerolls have on the DT score board, and hopefully to incentivise players to play more in venue games on a more regular basis. Also particular special events may have an additional points multiplier added to it.

3.) We will also look to run more tournaments per day in more venue friendly time slots. Attached is my proposed Home Game Fixture for S1, 2010. We will run more freerolls and Challenge events throughout the day for a more jam packed schedule which will hopefully appeal to a greater dynamic of players.

4.) All Foundation Away games will have an increased start stack of 2,000. Passports will be redeemed for more chips.

5.) VIC and SA Away Score Boards will now have the prize pool increased to $5,000. Up from the $1,000.

6.) To Grand Final will move to bi annually. We just can't run such a fantastic event every quarter. To continue to supply such a professional event we would need to look at running this bi annually. This means more players (I would expect 600+) and of course more prize money ($300,000 tournament anybody). Also there is now the possibility to operate this event in SA or VIC, but I have a fantastic idea on letting the players decide on which states get to host the next GF.

7.) I almost forgot, I am scrapping the state specific MQF Satellites. Instead we will have one MQF and prizes will be distributed as a $500 GF seat and $200 US into your account. We will be unable to supply airfares and accom packages in 2010.

7.) There are some other major developments in terms of loyalty programs/rewards, website development, marketing and promotions as well as a State of Origin promotional concept that I will release details on later.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and respond with your feedback.

Online schedule looks great, nightly $22 vs TCs is a great idea. And the BionicMike 11pm turbo!!!! I am truly honoured Garth! Also really like the look of the 2pm Deep and Short...


Multipliers seem like a good idea to get punters back in the venues.

Will it still be 4 x 3 month seasons or will the Bi annual GF mean 2 x 6 month seasons?

Garth Kay wrote:
1.) Noone will be happy with this but we are scrapping the Challenge Semi Final concept and moving to one $30K Semi Final in Vic and SA with more of an emphasis on creating a true two day state based carnival atmosphere. We are also looking to stretch the payouts out to over the top 30 for this event.

So im guessing qualification for each states semi-final can come from either challenge or foundation home or away events. Decreases the work we have to do to make this event as anyone who wants to qualify should be able to really.

Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, just thinking out loud.

BionicMike wrote:Will it still be 4 x 3 month seasons or will the Bi annual GF mean 2 x 6 month seasons?

i would assume it would still be 4 seasons - the grand final is pretty much a standalone game

One small issue i have (which i think will be a big issue for some other players) is that there is no longer any games in the 7'oclock - 9o'clock timeslot. Extra games is awesome, but having nine games starting from 9 onwards and none earlier is a bit silly. There will definately be lots of people annoyed about this i think.

Is there a reason for this? One might assume that it is because 888pl want more patronage at their away venues (which of course is good) but 4 out of those 9 later games start at or before 10'oclock SA time anyway. Most players won't be home from their regular venue at that time anyway.

What about moving all of the below games one hour forwards?? or at least the first couple....

At a guess, this would be because 888pl are trying to get ppl out playing away events.

1.) Noone will be happy with this but we are scrapping the Challenge Semi Final concept and moving to one $30K Semi Final in Vic and SA with more of an emphasis on creating a true two day state based carnival atmosphere. We are also looking to stretch the payouts out to over the top 30 for this event.

Basically the proposed schedule looks awesome..........however i'm unsure if you've supplied all available info.........what options/opportunities are available for Tassie players in regards to Semi Finals?

maccatak11 wrote:

Garth Kay wrote:
1.) Noone will be happy with this but we are scrapping the Challenge Semi Final concept and moving to one $30K Semi Final in Vic and SA with more of an emphasis on creating a true two day state based carnival atmosphere. We are also looking to stretch the payouts out to over the top 30 for this event.

So im guessing qualification for each states semi-final can come from either challenge or foundation home or away events. Decreases the work we have to do to make this event as anyone who wants to qualify should be able to really.

Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, just thinking out loud.

Was thinking the same thing, further to that, the change in point allocation will make the online freerolls pretty useless and it doesn't seem to equal things out, it will merely diminish the amount of people that will want to play online resulting in less people exposed to 888 = less deposits and less commission?

Evening out the field would probably be easier by limiting the amount of runners online (to 80-100?) - given the reduced registration times (30 mins) and increased amount of online events, this shouldn't be a problem to people, and those that do well in venues will have as much of a chance to get on the DT as those that play online.

In my opinion there should be some sort of average leaderboard incentive for people to play challenge games, especially if you can qualify from free tourneys or challenges to the same semi-final.

Just my opinion...I understand that these concerns would be weighed up and business will ultimately rather favour of no online/limited online focus and more venue...

Garth Kay wrote:Hi Guys,



4.) All Foundation Away games will have an increased start stack of 2,000. Passports will be redeemed for more chips.

Good idea, more skill involved, tourneys take longer so people are around more/contributing to the venue more. Only thing I would suggest in this area would be to push back the break/final time to redeem chip ups so that people will contribute more.