BigPete33 wrote:Yeah I have to say that having 2 different tourneys on at the same time really did lead to a lot of confusion, especially as it wasn't really clear on if players could participate in both or not.
I really do feel that if players had to buy in to the partners event then it would have cut down the number of players who were also playing in the regional event from registering as they may not have wanted to waste their money by up and leaving. It's pretty pointless to start a tournament only to up and leave and IMO you just look like a dick by doing that. If you want to navigate yourself between the 2 tourneys that's a different matter and if you feel you can play that way then good luck to you.
Of most concern would definitely have to be the communication of exactly what was happening with the stamp cards for the tourneys where stamp cards were being used. It was nothing short of very poor, there's no way to sugar coat that I'm afraid.
A suggestion for the cash rebuy tourney would be to have ONE stamp card and it's a rebuy before the break or add-on after it (players choice when they use it). This would mean a LOT less confusion as to exactly when it can be used particularly when used in conjunction with cash. There were just too many options and given most of the field were still saying 'rebuy? errggghh?' it would have helped everyone a lot.
A suggestion for the partners event would be to actually explain at all what's supposed to happen with the stamp cards BEFORE the event.
All we knew was 'there are stamp cards'. Even when we asked we got some pretty sub-standard answers and it seemed different pieces of information were being given depending which staff member you asked. I do understand though that the method of using them was changed on the day so that no doubt contributed, but still - SOME prior info would have been good. Can't really develop a strategy without it.
REALLY need to keep the partners/spectators further back from the play during the partners event. Not so easy to do at Settlers though to be fair.
On the positive side, the Main Event was run smoothly as it always is. I very much like the 5k starting stack and 30 min blind levels.
Another thing worth mentioning is that Tim is very clearly already doing a magnificent job as the Poker Manager. Absolutely anything I saw that needed Tim's input was done swiftly and correctly, he was all over it. He's very good on the mic too as anyone who has had him as a TD would tell you. Top stuff Tim.
Can we please have Tim explain stuff instead of Nathan? Sorry Nathan but you suck balls at explaining things.
Hey Pete,
Firstly, thank for the comments mate, very much appreciated! Just touching on a few points in your post.....
Unfortunately the spanner in the works was the tournament being changed last minute from a buy in event to a free roll. If it had run as planned then I don't think you would have had the issue of players bailing from the partners event as they had already invested in it.
Completely agreed that the timing, type of tourny structure & clearer clarification for players regarding stamp cards & tournament entry needs to be looked into. What it did do is let me know exactly what needs to be sorted out before the next Championships weekend.
Settlers was very tough to keep people back, especially for the partners event. Obviously they wanted to watch their partners but couldn't do that from the table area. Next time we run this type of event we will have a larger area to hold it in with clear defined boundries from spectators/prtners. Ditto with the Regional Teams event.
In the end this was the first 3 day, 6 event Champs that the NPL had run in SA & overall I think it was a fantastic success. We knew there was going to be issues come up that we hadn't thought of before hand & even when they did most were handled without players knowing or being affected. My job is to always be looking for ways to improve the weekend & make it fun & entertaining for all our players and that's exactly what I will be focussing on for the next Champs!
By the way, if you ever need any info, explanation or clarification regarding anything NPL related I'm there for you Pete!
and 40 to frown 
