dont get bent out of shape....
YOU asked
FGK42 said:
The question is this: How badly do you want to promote a BJ tourney? Are you a purist to the traditional BJ format or if someone flashes cash do you jump at the chance?
TXTourplayer said:
I want to promote tournaments so bad that I am willing to give up playing in them to try to get open events for with a good format and rules for everyone else.
No one has flashed any cash from Super Fun 21 that I know of, but that seems to be what it takes most of the time to get players to attend in volume. That's ashamed too, we talk about wanting an open event, but when someone try's to offer us one, we want to know what kind of money they are going to give us besides.
WHAT? As a player who would attend more BJT I NEED to know these things. Not everyone lives in Vegas or within a 2 hour drive to a casino. For me I have to pay airfare, hotel, car rental, meals, etc. So if I base my decisions upon risk:reward forgive me but that is prudent planning.
Unfortunately some people host tourneys and just expect people to show up and plunk down $ sight unseen.
TXTourplayer said:
I do conceder myself a purist to the traditional BJ format (as far as what I prefer playing), but I am open minded enough to try new formats. I also realize that the more open BJ tournaments there are, regardless of the format, the better off we are.
I agree with more open tournaments – I just hate to see tournaments competing with each other, like the April events at Barona, The Palms and Tunica.
FGK42 said:
Second question: Super Fun 21 - more skill or less skill involved as a BJT format?
TXTourplayer said:
Seems like more skill than some and about the same as in others. I think two things help to cut down the luck factor:
1) Lower betting limits on max. bets. Anytime you offer a high betting limit (anything over 1/3 of your bank roll) you are adding more luck into your tournament. I believe it is the betting strategy and how we use it that helps the seasoned players
2) The number of hands allowed. The greater number of hands allowed is far better for a seasoned player over a smaller number. In the short term anything could happen and requires more luck than skill.
There are a few other situations where you can use a strategic play, but luck is always going to be there in every format. Anytime you have magic chips, mulligan, and gimmicks that can change player’s cards there is going to be more luck involved.
What about hidden bets? How can you make a strategic play if your having to guess what the other players bet? You can't, you can only make what you think is the best percentage and sit back and hope you guess right, besides hoping to win your hand.
With all the above gimmicks, they allow the lesser player a greater chance to win, correct? YES! So how can offering them be considered more skillful?
The more variables involved the greater the increase in variance so by definition it would help the lesser skilled players. Personally I think that Super Fun 21, as well as Spanish 21, would involved MORE skill in the BJT format as there are more options available for seasoned/experienced players.
With respect to capping betting – I don’t buy into that argument. Lower chip totals and ½ to 1/3 max betting only helps in bettors.
FGK42 said:
Actually my recommendation is to ask the developer of the game (Super Fun 21) for 25,000 in prize money and use it for a free roll!
TXTourplayer said:
This has been the mindset that ruined BJ tournaments for us in the first place.
If you have a business are you going to pay your customers to come see you? If you do you won't be in business long. Just look at Bet21.com now, they are having to cut back on their guaranteed tournaments, if we are not careful we are going to cut are throats on that sweet deal as well.
Back in the mid 80's we had 500 or more players at most all the BJ tournaments, but they gave away too much and didn't get the side action needed to support what was given away. Now they have gone to the VIP invitational events and so many of us are now on the outside looking in.
Not sure of the exact phase, but it goes something like this: "If you don't learn from history, then you’re domed to repeat it". I for one hope we don't repeat it.
Here’s the only real area that I totally disagree with you. The “inventor” of Super Fun 21 wants you to use their format in YOUR tournaments – why? To promote THEIR product. It’s product placement. Therefore THEY SHOULD pay. In Walgreens if you want to sell a product you have to pay Walgreens for the space on their shelf – same with grocery stores.
My problem is not playing Super Fun 21 in tourneys – I’ve already stated that I think it (Super Fun 21) would actually benefit clever players.
My problem is that I had to see games like Super Fun 21 proliferate in the casinos in general.
With regard to Bet21.com – there are several factors working against them: 1. piss poor marketing 2. UIGAE – people can’t fund their accounts 3. Too many people pissing and moaning about EBJ and “hoping” for its demise 4. No customer service, etc….
As far as Bet21.com and cutting our throats? Since when do YOU play there? I haven’t seen you playing – except for + overlay games. I don’t see TXTourplayer at ANY SNG’s so I ain’t buying THAT argument.
As far as participation at BJT in the 1980’s – heck I was in college so I can’t comment. I can tell you this – now, 2007 is the 21st century and old school thoughts and ways have improved.
Casino’s CAN host BJT and make $ off them – if they do it right. They “may” be loss leaders but in MY opinion they’re under utilized. You frequent casino’s much more than me.
The average casino patron doesn’t understand or realize what a BJ tourney is. Poker – heck yeah! They see them on TV all the time. TBJ! What is that? To make matters worse when they do see it on TV it comes across as BORING!
Now YOU might not think so but as anyone under 30. You’ve been doing this a long time and that’s cool. But talk to Jack Nicholas and Arnold Palmer about their days on the PGA and how it is today. BIG DIFFERENCES.
TX, you want your tour to be successful. Pick a business plan and execute it to perfection. Carnival games like Super Fun 21, Spanish 21, BJ Bounty belong in weeklong events like what Mr. Woods will be hosting – and for low stakes.
You want SKILL? Have a double deck TBJ that deals to the bottom of the deck, aka Imperial Palace style.