Semi Finals CBI vs Foundation

[MattyMoo]

Thanks Garth, I'm only really still a poker virgin... So be gentle! LMAO. I certainly noticed the difference between the two games and I am glad this topic has already started some discussion. I understand that you are running a business and need to maximise efficiencies. I am sure we will all wait in anticipation for your further announcements.

Myself, I'd prefer 2 separate finals. But really, I'd support 888PL either way. And it also gives further incentive for people to play cash games during the season. If they can qualify for 1 event through either Foundation or Cash games then we may lose players at cash games.

Personally, I'd like to see a lot more cash games around the place to attract a higher quality of player that is willing to put their cash on the line and that I can learn from. I'm happy to donate my money if at the end of the day I've felt I've learnt something. I have the same philosophy with Golf when I play better players I play better and learn more.

But on the other hand I understand that FR's do attract your majority of players and thus support from venues which generates the revenue.

Matt in the Hatt

[sahara1]

Personally, I'd like to see a lot more cash games around the place to attract a higher quality of player that is willing to put their cash on the line and that I can learn from. I'm happy to donate my money if at the end of the day I've felt I've learnt something. I have the same philosophy with Golf when I play better players I play better and learn more.

can you honestly say that cash buy in events attract a better standard of player? NO... it attracts poker players with money and no necessarily a better standard of player. there are a lot of good players who dont have money and a lot of bad players that do... if you want to improve your game you are better off choosing who you play with and take advice from...

back on topic, i like the idea of the 2 day event/carnival with bigger start stacks...

[MattyMoo]

can you honestly say that cash buy in events attract a better standard of player? NO... it attracts poker players with money and no necessarily a better standard of player. there are a lot of good players who dont have money and a lot of bad players that do...

I guess that's one way of looking at it... I just feel that at FR's there is a lot more "messing about" because there isn't really anything at risk... Believe me I do the same.

[Bacon]

Personally, I'd like to see a lot more cash games around the place to attract a higher quality of player that is willing to put their cash on the line and that I can learn from. I'm happy to donate my money if at the end of the day I've felt I've learnt something. I have the same philosophy with Golf when I play better players I play better and learn more.

can you honestly say that cash buy in events attract a better standard of player? NO... it attracts poker players with money and no necessarily a better standard of player. there are a lot of good players who dont have money and a lot of bad players that do... if you want to improve your game you are better off choosing who you play with and take advice from...

back on topic, i like the idea of the 2 day event/carnival with bigger start stacks...

Maybe the play in the Challenge SF 'feels' better because of the bigger starting stacks.

[MattyMoo]

I definitely prefer deepstacks Bacon. I didn't mind the smaller stacks either with the FR Final. But I still say that the play was better on Saturday (excluding hangovers!) to Sunday... Earlier on anyway...

[the dols]

Got to agree with the man in the hat and Krunchie here. I played both tournies but the standard of play was certainly alot different. The structure of both tournies was the same yet there was a 10k difference in starting stack. This allowed for alot of shoving after the first break in the foundation event. Somewhere in between say 10k start stack and joint semi may be the way to go. To leave it at 5k start is too turbo like event with the 25 min blinds.

[gundog]

Hard facts:

1.) I will not continue to run a $15,000 final for less than 100 players. I won't even run a $5,000 semi final for less than 100 players.
2.) The amount of manpower and planning required for two events is excessive for the return we are getting in terms of player interest.
3.) A 2 day semi final event would require people to organise accommodation and perhaps would turn a lot of the regional players off.
4.) The ultimate destination for ALL 888PL players is not the Semi Final but the Grand Final.
5.) I would prefer to see our Semi final weekend turn into a mini festival of poker and FHG products.
One Semi Final that operates for 12 hours where we play down to the money and all the money players return on the Sunday. We operate championship side events all weekend. I am considering our options and we will be discussing these with the ops team.

1 & 2 I understand what you are saying, and agree. The smaller field would be due to limited venues hosting CBI's and the mix of qualifers from online would have a number of interstate qualifers as no show (which is understandable).

3. As a Regional player I dont see this as a problem, speaking to a number of other regional player from areas other than my region, they were enthuastic about the whole weekend.

4. I agree......but not enough events to qualify regionally (only 2 in the R/Land so far).

5. A great idea but make it a true deepstack event, 15 or 20k start stack

As for the additional CBI's etc etc yep go with it, the efforts put in by the tourney staff at the weekend organizing additional games off the cuff was fantastic and they deserve a big pat on the back.

Overall a terrific weekend.

[maccatak11]

I too agree that a two day event comprising of a singular semi final would outweigh separate events. Yes country players would need to find accommodation in the city, but most most country people have somewhere to stay when they visit the city, or they find a hotel room. with both semi finals starting at 10am, most people from country centres further than 3 hours away would need to find somewhere to stay anyway. So im pretty sure that this would not turn country players off, and for many, it may have the opposite effect in that there is now a whole weekend of reasons to travel to adelaide for, not just one day. perhaps a general consensus can be gained from country TC's about this.

an event starting at 11am on saturday, playing to 10pm that night and finishing around tea time on sunday would suit most i think, and still allow other side events to be played, and country players to return home at a decent hour. I think the majority of players now are longing for richer poker experiences to improve them as players, and deepstacks are a way to do this (although im probably biased in this regard).

even friday night events could be programmed. these are the best times for fun events like a boutny or teams event, or for GF rebuy events. I know its a large committment for staff, but there are plenty of capable and talented 888pl staff who could run the different events - but the idea of a 'festival of poker' is excellent.

(i agree with sahara too here - higher stakes = richer idiots, but a deeper stacks mean you can withstand setbacks and suckouts). good convo though.

[AceLosesKing]

I'm in favour, as is everyone else it seems, for a larger deepstack event. Ala the Challenge Final. I'd consider buying in too, based on the structure.

[maccatak11]

i dont like buy in's though.

people who qualify for this event shouldn't be made to then pay to get into it. they have supported 888pl by playing regularly at venues. and if it were a buy-in event open to everyone then that makes leaderboards redundant. i would rather see a larger event with a smaller cash prize than have a large pize pool boosted by buy-ins, thats what the grand final is for.