4 replies to this topic

[HarryDemetriou]

I'm not sure how many Europeans read this forum but I really am quite annoyed with the current Poker MIllion tournament that is part way completed in the UK. However I feel that this should concern all poker players.The opening rounds and semis have taken place and the final will take place soon but Ladbrokes and/or Matchroom really have behaved in a most dispicable way in the running of this tournament.Furthermore they have refused to comment/reply to open letters and e-mails that have been sent to them asking them to explain their actions with regard to the qualification and draw for this tournament. (In fact I have directly e-mailed persons quite high up in the two organizations but they refuse to respond).Many I have spoken to believe that Ladbrokes are entitled to do what they want as they have added a considerable amount of money to the prizepool but imo they have brought the integrity of the tournament and poker into question. Admittedly they deserve praise for adding money but not if it means they can do what they please with regard to the rules of qualification and the draw which is meant to be completely ramdom.So what did they do?Well firstly for qualification they stated that you had to qualify online at the Ladbrokes site and that this was the only way that the 72 participants could qualify.However after 60 or so had qualified they decided to allow eight players (mostly high profile) to make a paid entry.Next came the draw but after this was made one or two players were moved around from one heat to another.Other questions were also raised about the timing of the draw and online rake but those are relatively unimportant compared to these other issues in my opinion.Now I am a stickler for rules which are always there for a reason and there to protect everyone involved but to change the rules on qualification or the draw to suit is for me a form of cheating.However there may very well be good reasons for these changes but at the very least I believe that the poker community is entitled to an official explanation as to why the above was changed or took place at all.Furthermore in the absence of an official response/reply then what are we to do but draw our own conclusions which may or may not be accurate.As such I fail to see how anyone can support this tournament in the future and sincerely hope that all future players will at least think twice before contemplating playing in this tournament or at least seek clarification on whether the rules will be changed to suitthe organizers/promoters after qualification commences or a draw is made.Although not the same thing it is difficult to know where to draw the line on such matters but if they said they were adding 1 million and subsequently decided to add nothing would that be OK?Any comments on the above would be welcomed as most I have spoken to believe I am over reacting and that Ladbrokes are entitled to do as they please.PS I did not play and did not try and qualify for this event as I was not available at the time of qualification.

[Red_foot_soldier]

From what I understand and have watched on sky these this tournament acts like a satalite at the tv stages with only one into the semi / final? Its prob not ladbrokes messing with it, It'll be sky tv and matchroom trying to boost ratings by getting well known players on each nights show to maintain interest.Only my opinion, but it makes sence if not intirely fair.

[HarryDemetriou]

Red_foot_soldier said:

From what I understand and have watched on sky these this tournament acts like a satalite at the tv stages with only one into the semi / final? Its prob not ladbrokes messing with it, It'll be sky tv and matchroom trying to boost ratings by getting well known players on each nights show to maintain interest.Only my opinion, but it makes sence if not intirely fair.

I do suspect that they allowed people to buy in because there was a distinct lack of high profile qualifiers but that then raises the question of how people were selected to be invited to participate.I can think of several high profile players who were not invited to buy in along with at least one previous finalist who has played in every poker million to date who was never contacted.Also I recall Barry Hearn of Matchroom promising everyone who took part in the Poker Million - The Masters (second one) that they would all be guaranteed participation in future Poker Millions b ut along with a few other promises these proved to be subsequently false.As for the reallocation of people from one heat to another it may well have been due to individuals being unable to make certain dates.Having said that this is pure specualtion on my part and they may well have had more sinister motives for their changes but without an official reply I am merely guessing. I also find it suprising that the draw couldn't have been completely random and all they needed to do was reallocate a date to those players requiring a new date rather than move individuals.However if there is any justice in this world none of those players who bought in qualified for the final and this will no doubt be a bit of a PR own goal for the organizersas I can only see them getting bad press over these unannounced late changes along with damage to their integrity.

[Snowman]

I'm pretty new to poker and not at all up at the level necessary to play a tournament like this, but here is my opinion for what it's worth (2 cents maybe...)I think it's absolutely imperative that the rules are clear and cast in stone up front and I don't think you're over reacting at all. I mean, every event where there is something at stake, be it hockey, soccer, football, poker or whatever, you can't just throw in random changes just because it suits you and you have the power to do so. It's simply unfair to the participants that entered the event under other preconditions.I wouldn't have minded if they had stated this clearly well in advance, then it's up to everyone to decide for themselves if they want to play under the specified conditions.And not replying to concerned customers is simply bad customer service.

[standaman]

HarryI agree with everything you say about the Poker Million, but you are dealing with Barry Hearn and Ladbrokes what do you expect?The heart of the issue is that Poker and TV are uneasy bed fellows. The way poker is sold to the marginal viewer (Poker lest we forget is a minority pursuit particularly in the UK) is Steely Poker professional takes on plucky underdog for huge amount of money. Hence the horrible made for TV crap shoot tourneys such as the Party Poker European Open, Ladbrokes Poker Million and so on, net result bad poker and bad TV but for those not familiar with the game it kind of works.Ladbrokes simply made the mistake of departing from the formula and halfway through qualification they realised that Sky would end up showing 6 Swedish Students who nobody has heard of playing poker for a vast sum of money (some of which is Ladbrokes). This was not an attractive prospect for the marketing people at Ladbrokes, Sky or Matchplay hence the perfectly logical step (from their point of view) to spice up the field with a few name players.There is very little to be done about it unless poker has a governing body or a professional players association which can sanction events and make sponsorship deals the way the PGA does in golf. Otherwise vote with your feet or mouse. Personally I am going to concentrate my efforts on qualifying for tournaments which have open fields run by established tournament directors and if they televised they are just showing the highlights of a real tournament rather some horrible made for TV aberration.For Poker players the choice is simple support what is good ignore what is bad, poker is so hot at the moment we can afford to be selective. In fact the sheer number of opportunities high buy in poker tourneys is such that the top players are in real danger of burn out / over exposure.So it’s “goodbye Ladbrokes and the Poker Million and hello Poker Stars and the EPT”.