PPT/ Players Assoc/Comments

[jakethebake]

You might be right. Maybe there's just something about the idea that rubs me the wrong way and I'm looking for reasons to justify it.

[Regulator]

You paint an awfully bleak picture of sponsored events taking the place of open majors and then devote just a single sentence to the actual truth of the matter. I realize it's an opinion piece, but even opinions should be tempered by a rational view of events. The one thing that is common to most any sporting endeavor is that the base participants are usually very resistant to any major change. This new tour doesn't take anything away from the way things currently run, it only adds to the poker landscape.

As it stands, poker is still an illegal form of gambling in a lot of states without certain stipulations. There is no one alive today who will see a time where casinos and card clubs are as prevalent as golf courses, and as acceptable. Without that kind of pristine air about it, it would be hard for poker to ever get to the point where there is so much sponsor money, that all events could afford to be fully sponsored.

Additionally, like I said above, limiting open majors to pros would reduce the profits a casino would make. Who is more likely to stay and gamble after busting out, a pro who plays a dozen big tournaments a year or an amateur who may think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and brought his whole family out to see Vegas?

[oil doe]

I do think open tournaments are good for poker. But yes, I also agree that the PPT really doesn't alter the current situation much. And I think I acknowledge that in the article.

You made a pretty interesting point about the amount of sponsorship funding. Believe it or not, there are more recreational poker players than golfers in the US - and that was true even before the WPT. But I think that you are correct in believing that sponsors will be less likely to participate in poker because of the legal and perceived moral issues. I also believe that because poker is not an "equipment sport", you lose some pretty big bucks right there. Think of the $$ Nike has poured into basketball and golf club manufacturers pour into golf. Although I'm still waiting for Ray-ban and Preparation H to weigh in

I like a lot of the changes that have occurred in poker. Just five years ago poker rooms were closing to make room for more slots. This boon has brought a lot of positive changes. But the change has happened so quickly. I think I would feel a lot more comfortable if, like in other professional sports, there was an active and functional players association to help guide the way.

Good points y'all...thanks,
Amy Calistri aka oil doe

[1p0kerb0y]

[ QUOTE ]
I think I would feel a lot more comfortable if, like in other professional sports, there was an active and functional players association to help guide the way.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm listening. What purpose would this association serve at this time?

[jaybee_70]

I love the idea of a pro tour. It is still egalitarian in the sense that tour cards can be earned from regular WPT finishes. Remember Tin Cup? This is very similar, any schmuck can win their way to the pro tour through winning a series of sattelites and making a final table at a WPT event. The best part is that after attaining that "tour card" you are playing free rolls. Totally sponsored prize pools. What a great opportunity for the "young guns" of the game. You can focus a limited bankroll on particular events, earn a tour card and have a better (if better is knocking heads with the poker elite) chance of earning a living as a tournament pro. Move to live (taped) coverage instead of all in coverage and I believe we have a recipe for greatness.

Joe

[Trainwreck]

Hi Amy and crew!

WPPA was created a few months back and is running tournaments at The Orleans.

Check it out at http://www.wppa.info/cp/home.aspx

>TW<

[jakethebake]

Tin Cup was a movie. Not real life. You really believe that just anyone with a bag of clubs can win a spot on the PGA tour?
[ QUOTE ]
I love the idea of a pro tour. It is still egalitarian in the sense that tour cards can be earned from regular WPT finishes. Remember Tin Cup? This is very similar, any schmuck can win their way to the pro tour through winning a series of sattelites and making a final table at a WPT event. The best part is that after attaining that "tour card" you are playing free rolls. Totally sponsored prize pools. What a great opportunity for the "young guns" of the game. You can focus a limited bankroll on particular events, earn a tour card and have a better (if better is knocking heads with the poker elite) chance of earning a living as a tournament pro. Move to live (taped) coverage instead of all in coverage and I believe we have a recipe for greatness.

Joe

[/ QUOTE ]

[Kevmath]

He was trying to qualify for the US Open, there are thousands of people (PGA pros, club pros, wannabe pros, and random schlubs) going for a small number of spots.

Kevin...

[jaybee_70]

Anybody can qualify for the U.S. Open golf tournament by winning qualifying tournaments. That is the point I was making.