Great first prize, SFA for second ...?

[David]

Hey all

I think it's great that venues are offering cash prizes for their events. But it surprises me that for coming second at some of these venues, you get nothing, apart from the NPL Prize Pack (the hat, and another copy of "BLUFF").

Other venues that don't offer a cash prize, have venue vouchers (usually $50 and $20) for a box of beer, or something similar.

Getting all that way, and not winning a "venue" prize seems a bit odd to me.

Thoughts?

David

P.S. No I'm not bitter about last night, it only just made me realise how it was!

[bennymacca]

your either a winner or a loser, thats it.

your point would be valid if it were the state finals, but not for a regular venue tourney.

just win it next time and be happy with the hat and keyring!

[David]

If it weren't valid, 95% of venues wouldn't have a second prize.

[bennymacca]

ok then, ask the venue to put up a voucher for second prize. or go to a venue that has second prizes.

personally, i would rather 100 for first instead of a 60-40 split - each to their own i suppose (the venues i play at go 50 buck voucher for first, and a 25 for second)

[David]

I didn't realise there was even cash when I went.

And I appreciate what you're saying benny the cunt.

But I hardly think my point isn't valid though. Bit harsh.

[rcon]

Personally I'd rather see more put into the first prize - tho a $20 venue voucher would be "nice", I'd rather take $100 cash that time when I do win next. Neither is really going to change your life, but $100 cash will at least buy you half a night out.

"1st Loser" just isn't what I aspire to!

[David]

What did you aspire to last night .. ??

[bennymacca]

i think that we cant have it both ways

we as punters are the first to complain when the stamp prices go up, but then in the same breath want more prizes.

i see your point david, and i prolly was a bit harsh, but i would rather see a really cheap stamp policy and lesser prizes than the other way round.

a hundred bucks is nice, but i bet if someone played at the dearest venue, and also the cheapest, there would be more than a $100 discrepancy between how much they spend on poker at each venue

[Nathan Butler]

David.

I tend to agree with you on this point.

As the CBD Regional Operator I have often looked at the potential of encouraging my venues to offer cash prizes. In each case I have always turned up more reasoning to not stray down that path.

Now don't get me wrong. A cash prize is a good incentive to attract players to a venue but i also feel that prizes like that as such can create a very competitive atmosphere.

Even with-out cash prizes I still feel that the CBD is the most competitive region with in the NPL. The CBD caters to the "mega game player" and the CBD draws some of the best players from all the other South Australian regions.

What i think has been a really successful CBD promotion was the RED SQUARE Season Final. All the winners from the Red Square early game (6:30 Rego / 7:30 Start) Won entry into a 10 player $500 sit'n'go. In addition to winning their seat we also gave away the standard prizes of a $50 venue voucher for 1st and a $25 Voucher for 2nd.

So we had a bit of instant gratification and we had our long term final reward. I am hoping to create similar programs with many other CBD venues.

Also in comparison, a venue that offers $100 per week, ultimatly gives away $1000 per season. Red Sqaure give away $500 cash, plus $500 in 1st place Vouchers and $250 in 2nd place Vouchers. Also hosting the final. So that being said i believe they offer more.

From another angle. Take the Pooraka Football club (NE Region). They have no season final. They have no cash prize. What attracts many players to that event is the excellent range of prizes they offer.

1st - Carton of Beer
2nd - 8th - Bottle of Wine
9th - Pooraka F.C Venue Voucher.
Plus on many occasions promotional merchandise.

Offering prizes such as $100 is attractive to a player when they are selecting a regular event but it is the NPL points in which they are more attracted too.

Hopefully you see more promotions similar to the Red Sqaure season final take place in the CBD next season.

Regards

Mr CBD
Nathan Butler

[mr_niceguy_1979]

Hey all

I think it's great that venues are offering cash prizes for their events. But it surprises me that for coming second at some of these venues, you get nothing, apart from the NPL Prize Pack (the hat, and another copy of "BLUFF").

Other venues that don't offer a cash prize, have venue vouchers (usually $50 and $20) for a box of beer, or something similar.

Getting all that way, and not winning a "venue" prize seems a bit odd to me.

Thoughts?

David

P.S. No I'm not bitter about last night, it only just made me realise how it was!

Hey David,
I had a similar experience last season when I played a once-off game at Payneham Tavern in week 10. I ended up winning my first NPL tourney in SA by beating >70 runners. Because it was a once off visit, I didn't do any investigations into the prizes, I just assumed (like every other venue!) that they would award venue prizes.

But after a lap around the venue in celebration, i went to collect my prizes and was disapointed to find out that there was no prize being offered by the venue for FIRST place (other than NPL stuff). Their reason for this was because all prizes were being put towards the Vegas tourney for top 15 venue leaders at each Coles venue which wasn't any good to me in the last week of the season.

Tried to sort out the issue with them, wrote them a formal letter as well, but didn't even get a phone call or letter back from them explaining the issue or resolving my complaint. Was actually going to make it my venue for season 2 but voted with my feet and left on principle.

I wonder whether there were any others that won a tourney at a Coles venue and weren't going for top 15 at the venue? How did you feel about this?