| DECEMBER 2008 |
May 15, 2008
For the first time in ten times I have been a host at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino, I have to honestly
report that the numbers for tournament entries was down. Overall, the numbers were down only a little,
so, given the general overall economy and especially the very high gas prices, we, at least I, felt the
tournament was a great success. I think if the economy does not get worse and gas prices do not go up,
our November tournament will again break attendance records.
The tournament continues to get rave reviews from all the players and the number of “name” players
coming up to Pendleton is increasing every tournament. I think since we now have a $1,000
championship tournament along with our $500, and no event less than $200, it can legitimately draw more
top players and still be very attractive to the smaller players.
Now the next event for me will be the World Series of Poker. It starts the end of May and does not
conclude until mid-July. They have moved the final table from what would normally have been the middle
of July until November. They reasoned it would give a lot of time to hype the event and create much
more interest. I would not argue with their decision if they had waited a week or two to play the final
table, but to wait four months is ridiculous. It again, I think, points out management’s complete disregard
for the players. I am sure the players that make that final table would rather play it off a lot sooner than
November. It will give those final players much more time to line up sponsors and that is good, but a
week or two would certainly fulfill that benefit.
Maybe I will end up being wrong and the move will turn out to be a stoke of genius but, again, I think
almost all the players if asked would be against such a long delay. And I hate to mention it, but I think if
any players harbored any thoughts of collusion this would give them more than ample time to come up
with something. Also, the fact they will be holding many millions of the players money for four months is
not a completely insignificant fact.
Because the World Series starts the end of May and goes well into July, I will not have a blog for June as I
will hopefully be in and out of Vegas playing in the Series.
For What it’s Worth ...
Vince
For the first time in ten times I have been a host at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino, I have to honestly
report that the numbers for tournament entries was down. Overall, the numbers were down only a little,
so, given the general overall economy and especially the very high gas prices, we, at least I, felt the
tournament was a great success. I think if the economy does not get worse and gas prices do not go up,
our November tournament will again break attendance records.
The tournament continues to get rave reviews from all the players and the number of “name” players
coming up to Pendleton is increasing every tournament. I think since we now have a $1,000
championship tournament along with our $500, and no event less than $200, it can legitimately draw more
top players and still be very attractive to the smaller players.
Now the next event for me will be the World Series of Poker. It starts the end of May and does not
conclude until mid-July. They have moved the final table from what would normally have been the middle
of July until November. They reasoned it would give a lot of time to hype the event and create much
more interest. I would not argue with their decision if they had waited a week or two to play the final
table, but to wait four months is ridiculous. It again, I think, points out management’s complete disregard
for the players. I am sure the players that make that final table would rather play it off a lot sooner than
November. It will give those final players much more time to line up sponsors and that is good, but a
week or two would certainly fulfill that benefit.
Maybe I will end up being wrong and the move will turn out to be a stoke of genius but, again, I think
almost all the players if asked would be against such a long delay. And I hate to mention it, but I think if
any players harbored any thoughts of collusion this would give them more than ample time to come up
with something. Also, the fact they will be holding many millions of the players money for four months is
not a completely insignificant fact.
Because the World Series starts the end of May and goes well into July, I will not have a blog for June as I
will hopefully be in and out of Vegas playing in the Series.
For What it’s Worth ...
Vince
| Blog Archive |
| MAY 2008 |
August 2008
Let me start this blog by apologizing for missing a couple of months with this writing. This year’s World Series of Poker was a
long, long one.
I have been playing in the World Series since 1988. The first five or so years that amounted to playing the Ace-to-Five event
only. In those first few years, I would usually be in Vegas for no more than two or three days. Then, in 1992, that all changed
as, by that time, I was playing almost all the games they offered at the Series.
I think from 1992 til the present I have probably averaged about eight to ten tournaments at the Series. This year, I played my
maximum ten tournaments which included my thirteenth main event. Unfortunately I must report I only had one cash which
was a 16th in the High Low Stud for $6,300. So, as you might guess, I had a losing Series. What you might find a little strange
is that I spent almost five full weeks in Vegas never coming home once during that time. How that came about was that I
played the first event (the one with 3,900 players) and, somewhere in that first few days, I developed a terrible cough and I
lost my voice. As every day went by, I thought I would be getting better but it basically never happened. So, I really was
doing more sitting around hoping to feel better than playing poker.
The Series was, as it has been for the last three or four years, a mad house. Although some players might like the “new
series,” I still would opt for the good ole days--smaller fields, more intimacy, and a hell of a lot more perks. But that line of
thought is beating on a dead horse. Things will probably never be the same as before. In fact, outside of the Wildhorse Resort
and Casino’s Round-Up tournament there is not a tournament that has not cut back on perks and increased the juice and rake.
I guess in our capitalist economy, whatever a business can get away with charging is what they will charge. With all due
respect to Jesse Jones, the last feeble attempt at a player’s organization has turned out to be an utter failure. I am
embarrassed for those who were involved.
So, having said that, don’t look for anyone to come along and do anything for the players. I guess the natural come back is, “If
you don’t like what is happening, don’t play.” Well, funny as it may sound, I do believe we are seeing some of the numbers
drop. Maybe not at the World Series, but in just about all the other tournaments. The World Series had, I think the number
was, about 30 percent participation from non-Americans. This obviously skews the numbers. This means that the Series may
actually be losing us Americans, but gaining huge numbers from overseas. So, I don’t see the WSof P in any jeopardy in the
near future, but all the rest of the tournaments is another thing.
One thing is for absolute sure, the more money lost to the greedy Casinos means less money to be distributed to the players.
At some point many of the losing players will not be able to play any longer. With those players lost, the competition will be
increased and winning players will be winning less, and so on and so forth.
It will be interesting to see how the whole thing plays out. It makes me feel even older than I am to think I that I may wake up
some day and see that Poker has come full circle. The good part of that is, maybe then the Casinos will be giving more perks
and gouging us less with juice and rake.
For What it’s Worth ...
Vince
Let me start this blog by apologizing for missing a couple of months with this writing. This year’s World Series of Poker was a
long, long one.
I have been playing in the World Series since 1988. The first five or so years that amounted to playing the Ace-to-Five event
only. In those first few years, I would usually be in Vegas for no more than two or three days. Then, in 1992, that all changed
as, by that time, I was playing almost all the games they offered at the Series.
I think from 1992 til the present I have probably averaged about eight to ten tournaments at the Series. This year, I played my
maximum ten tournaments which included my thirteenth main event. Unfortunately I must report I only had one cash which
was a 16th in the High Low Stud for $6,300. So, as you might guess, I had a losing Series. What you might find a little strange
is that I spent almost five full weeks in Vegas never coming home once during that time. How that came about was that I
played the first event (the one with 3,900 players) and, somewhere in that first few days, I developed a terrible cough and I
lost my voice. As every day went by, I thought I would be getting better but it basically never happened. So, I really was
doing more sitting around hoping to feel better than playing poker.
The Series was, as it has been for the last three or four years, a mad house. Although some players might like the “new
series,” I still would opt for the good ole days--smaller fields, more intimacy, and a hell of a lot more perks. But that line of
thought is beating on a dead horse. Things will probably never be the same as before. In fact, outside of the Wildhorse Resort
and Casino’s Round-Up tournament there is not a tournament that has not cut back on perks and increased the juice and rake.
I guess in our capitalist economy, whatever a business can get away with charging is what they will charge. With all due
respect to Jesse Jones, the last feeble attempt at a player’s organization has turned out to be an utter failure. I am
embarrassed for those who were involved.
So, having said that, don’t look for anyone to come along and do anything for the players. I guess the natural come back is, “If
you don’t like what is happening, don’t play.” Well, funny as it may sound, I do believe we are seeing some of the numbers
drop. Maybe not at the World Series, but in just about all the other tournaments. The World Series had, I think the number
was, about 30 percent participation from non-Americans. This obviously skews the numbers. This means that the Series may
actually be losing us Americans, but gaining huge numbers from overseas. So, I don’t see the WSof P in any jeopardy in the
near future, but all the rest of the tournaments is another thing.
One thing is for absolute sure, the more money lost to the greedy Casinos means less money to be distributed to the players.
At some point many of the losing players will not be able to play any longer. With those players lost, the competition will be
increased and winning players will be winning less, and so on and so forth.
It will be interesting to see how the whole thing plays out. It makes me feel even older than I am to think I that I may wake up
some day and see that Poker has come full circle. The good part of that is, maybe then the Casinos will be giving more perks
and gouging us less with juice and rake.
For What it’s Worth ...
Vince
October 2008
Three weeks, that’s how long we have before we find out who our next president is, it is also how long before we start our
Fall PokerRoundUp at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino. Coincidently, they both are on November fourth.
I will be happy when those three weeks come mostly because I am crossing my fingers, hoping, that our country will
somehow then come together with less anger and more bipartisanship. I will also be happy to get back to my favorite place to
play poker, that being, the Wildhorse Casino. It has now got to the point where I have made so many-many friends that it is like
going to a semi-annual family reunion. I meet so many of our Pacific Northwest players at different venues and, when I get to
talking with them, it is usually stated by them that the Wildhorse is by far the most friendly, best valued tournament anywhere.
This will be my thirteenth trip to the Wildhorse and, for the first time, I cannot say that we will be having the biggest and best
tournament ever. Although life is always uncertain and you never are sure how things will turn out, all indications are that the
numbers may be down for the upcoming tournament. The value is still there , in fact, it is even better.
Now as almost all venues are increasing there vig, we have made no increases. So maybe we will be surprised and the turn
out will exceed our expectations. I will hoping.
To view the schedule click on this link
Wildhorse Schedule
For What it’s Worth ...
Vince
Three weeks, that’s how long we have before we find out who our next president is, it is also how long before we start our
Fall PokerRoundUp at the Wildhorse Resort and Casino. Coincidently, they both are on November fourth.
I will be happy when those three weeks come mostly because I am crossing my fingers, hoping, that our country will
somehow then come together with less anger and more bipartisanship. I will also be happy to get back to my favorite place to
play poker, that being, the Wildhorse Casino. It has now got to the point where I have made so many-many friends that it is like
going to a semi-annual family reunion. I meet so many of our Pacific Northwest players at different venues and, when I get to
talking with them, it is usually stated by them that the Wildhorse is by far the most friendly, best valued tournament anywhere.
This will be my thirteenth trip to the Wildhorse and, for the first time, I cannot say that we will be having the biggest and best
tournament ever. Although life is always uncertain and you never are sure how things will turn out, all indications are that the
numbers may be down for the upcoming tournament. The value is still there , in fact, it is even better.
Now as almost all venues are increasing there vig, we have made no increases. So maybe we will be surprised and the turn
out will exceed our expectations. I will hoping.
To view the schedule click on this link
Wildhorse Schedule
For What it’s Worth ...
Vince
| AUGUST 2008 |
December 2008
Just a short time till Christmas so let me wish you all a very merry Christmas and a very happy and
prosperous, healthy New Year.
If you need a gift for someone who likes poker, or knows me, let me tell you that I have reduced the
price on all of my items, both books and my hats. All items are $9.99 plus shipping. I only have 200
Pizza Pasta and Poker books, 100 or so Inside Poker books and about 40 hats left. The shipping on all
the items is about four or five days so you still have time to give them for Christmas. The reduced price
will stay the same even after the holidays so if you miss Christmas maybe a birthday gift might be in
order.
The recently concluded Fall Poker Round-Up was surprisingly a big success. We had anticipated maybe a
fall in attendance, but that never happened and our numbers were better than ever. Thanks to all you
guys and gals that support that tournament. I hate to say it, but is seems every other tournament is
raising their prices as far as juice, rake or perks is concerned. Thank heaven the Wildhorse has kept
everything very player-friendly. The biggest reason for that is, of course, Roland Waters. Roland,
simply put, just gets it. We are seeing in our national economy the results of greed by certain people and
segments and, I hate to say it, but I think the poker industry might see some repercussions as far as what
I perceive as their greed. I just do not see the justification for continually raising the cost to play
tournaments. All tourna- ments are built around the premise that the players who get knocked out of
tournaments will go over and play side action. So having said that, tournaments in and of themselves
should not be the big money maker. They used to be, and still should be, the way in which to get players
into their Casinos. How much more can the players take in so far as the percentage they pay to play
tournaments? I guess the answer is, “we’ll see.”
Looking at the new year 2009, I am not sure what I will be doing or where I will be playing. The Los
Angeles Poker Classic starts in late January so I think that might be where I will kick it off.
Again, let me wish you all Happy Holidays and I will be back with a blog in January.
For What it’s Worth ...
Vince
Just a short time till Christmas so let me wish you all a very merry Christmas and a very happy and
prosperous, healthy New Year.
If you need a gift for someone who likes poker, or knows me, let me tell you that I have reduced the
price on all of my items, both books and my hats. All items are $9.99 plus shipping. I only have 200
Pizza Pasta and Poker books, 100 or so Inside Poker books and about 40 hats left. The shipping on all
the items is about four or five days so you still have time to give them for Christmas. The reduced price
will stay the same even after the holidays so if you miss Christmas maybe a birthday gift might be in
order.
The recently concluded Fall Poker Round-Up was surprisingly a big success. We had anticipated maybe a
fall in attendance, but that never happened and our numbers were better than ever. Thanks to all you
guys and gals that support that tournament. I hate to say it, but is seems every other tournament is
raising their prices as far as juice, rake or perks is concerned. Thank heaven the Wildhorse has kept
everything very player-friendly. The biggest reason for that is, of course, Roland Waters. Roland,
simply put, just gets it. We are seeing in our national economy the results of greed by certain people and
segments and, I hate to say it, but I think the poker industry might see some repercussions as far as what
I perceive as their greed. I just do not see the justification for continually raising the cost to play
tournaments. All tourna- ments are built around the premise that the players who get knocked out of
tournaments will go over and play side action. So having said that, tournaments in and of themselves
should not be the big money maker. They used to be, and still should be, the way in which to get players
into their Casinos. How much more can the players take in so far as the percentage they pay to play
tournaments? I guess the answer is, “we’ll see.”
Looking at the new year 2009, I am not sure what I will be doing or where I will be playing. The Los
Angeles Poker Classic starts in late January so I think that might be where I will kick it off.
Again, let me wish you all Happy Holidays and I will be back with a blog in January.
For What it’s Worth ...
Vince
| OCTOBER 2008 |