Venetian Friday Night Sit & Go's

Well tonight was the first Friday night that the Venetian held their weekly scheduled tournaments using the UBT Turbo version format.This format has 6 players per table with elimination hands being on hands 5,10,15 and the final hand is hand 21.

The top 2 spots are payed

They were holding 3 different levels last night and they were $100 $250 and $500

The payouts on the $100 were

1st Place paid $360
2nd Place paid $180

The Payouts on the $250 were

1st Place Paid $950
2nd Place Paid $450

The Payouts on the $500 I'm not sure of but I believe they were

1st Place $1900
2nd Place $1000

They started at 8PM and I was there until 12:50am and during the almost 5 hours of play they held 18 tournaments. The schedule is from 8 PM to 2 AM every Friday night.

There were 10 $ 100 Held
6 $ 250 Held
2 $ 500 Held

More may have been held after I called it a night,I will check upon that and update if needed.

The turn out was filled with the usual suspects of tournament players

Anthony Curtis
Blair Rodman
Annie Duke
Freddy Deeb
Max Rubin
Norm Sheridan
Russ Hamilton
Hollywood Dave
Tammy Holston(Sweetteabird Bet 21)
Shuang Yu (Bet 21)
John Chai (Bet 21)
Fred David
Fred David Jr.
Joe Reitman
Ace Donovan
Joe Pane
Ron Saccavino
Rookie 789
John Ressman (added late sorry)

Other players from Bet 21 who on-line names I failed to get or just forgot you sorry,so feel free to add your name to the list if you were there.Your comments and suggestions are also welcome.

The Venetian staff did a great job of preparing their dealers for this format and I would like to thank John Gutjahr who was the tournament director and assistant shift manager at the Venetian his dealers were on top of their game last night as was the whole Tournament staff during the night.

I personally played in 5 of the 18 tournaments winning 2 of them for a profit of $440 for the night not a bad way to kick off this inaugural event.

The Venetian calender has these Friday night tournaments listed right up to Dec 21 2007

The Venetian Blackjack Classic with a 2,700 entry fee will be held

July 12-15 2007 This will be a UBT Tour Stop TV Event.

Hope to see you guys then and every Friday night at the Venetian the home of Elimination Blackjack on the Las Vegas Strip.


Joep

 

Good kickoff

Definitely a nice start to the event.

Obviously, this week was filled with mainly familiar names, but I'd assume that as this goes on it will be filled with more and more casino guests.

I played 3. One $100 (third) and two of the $250's (won both of those, Blair Rodman and Annie Duke took second in those respectively). So, I walked away with a pretty decent profit for a couple hours work.

All in all a fun night. It really seemed like something that will catch on with the people in the casino.

One other person that played that Joe missed was John Ressman.

 

It looks like you have a pretty good turnout for the first event. From the list of people you posted it was a pretty competitive field.

My question is how many "regular" casino patrons played?

I know that the people on the list are BJT "junkies" but what about people walking around the casino, the black chip players?

Was there a crowd watching?

Did this event generate buzz?

Was there a waiting list to play? Was a waiting list necessary?

How heavily was this promoted?

I ask this because I feel that SNG in a casino are the BEST way to promote TBJ to the non-TBJ public/players. It lets them dabble without risking a lot

(now I know 100, 250 & 500 IS A LOT to some, but compared to a 2,500 tourney fee buy in! In addition for the invite only tourneys you've got to play 200-300 average bets/hour - so this is a relatively inexpensive way to "taste" EBJ)

I also see where The Venetian "shortened" the game from 8, 16 & 25 to 5, 10 & 15. Any difference to you or just same ole same ole only quicker?

Thanks for the update Joe

PS Since I assume from your post you'll probably be there most Friday nights (heck I would if I lived there ) next Friday can you ask Russ some questions:

1. When will they start pre-registration for The Palms and how many people are expected? Oh yeah and what about the prize pool? What's the payout? (I know EXACT figures are based on entries but what percentage does 1-6 get? or is it 1-7?

 

It's all good

Fred every table was a tough table. In the beginning ,there were people walking by but not knowing that it was a tournament. One player joined my first game but when he found out the Venetian were taking pictures of the event he bowed out.I have to assume he wasn't suppose to be where he was at that time :laugh: .Toward the end the last 2 games that I saw had walk up players as there were no big signs or balloons to attract players to the pit.Most players just assumed it was a regular blackjack table and all the seats were full.The Venetian will need to make their players aware of this weekly event.They have plans to run UBT promos on all the TV's in the hotel and in the rooms during the week.The regular tournament players knew about it and showed up in good strong numbers last night.It was there first week and I'm sure they will figure out a way to make the tournament pit stand out from there other pits.

The Turbo version is the casino way of hosting these tournaments getting the players in the door and then on to their tables.Casinos just can not make any money on just hosting a tournament by itself,they actually lose money once the labor cost are taken into consideration There has to be a catch and the UBT Tours offers the host casino free TV exposure on CBS.This exposure time would cost the casinos hundreds of thousands of dollars if they had to foot the bill.Tournament players have a proven track record of very little or no side play in an open to the public event and this is what killed every company that tried to host a tournament at any casino in the past. IGP tried it and eventually went out of business.The casinos then realized they can hold their own tournaments without an outside company, inviting their good players. This was the beginning of the end for us until the UBT Tour came to the players rescue who were not prepared to play for 4 hours a day at an average bet of $300 just to be invited.

Now you can play some UBT circuit events for as little as a $250 entry fee and still have a chance to win a 10,000 entry into the TOC Event at Barona in Dec This is less than the Frontier's $300 entry fee and then $300 cash buy in.The old tournaments at the Riviera even had entry fees starting at $ 300 with NN Chips.Ricks cruise tournaments even have entry fees higher than a UBT Circuit event and no chance to win a seat into an event that has a guarantee 1 Million dollar first prize.

 

Interesting points

1. I haven't been to the Venetian lately but at other places I've seen TV's on a pole at the table promoting whatever the game, Double Attack, etc.. Maybe they should get a flat screen on poles and show UBT promo's

2. How many tables were in the pit? I'm assuming 3 (100, 250 & 500)

3. So for the regular BJT junkies - if you play there and are an AP don't play at the house tables right?

4. This really wASN'T a tourney - just SNG right? So was there a waiting list - if it gets popular I'd think that they'd need one

5. What is the difference between this Venetian and an online Bet21.com 100 SNG?

6. The Palms have actual UBT style tourneys with 2700 seats being awarded - any chance of the Venetian doing this or just SNG?

7. The 250 & 500 SNG - eligable for All-In points?

 

Joep

 

Venetian Elim Success

Sounds like a great start for the Venetian, Joe congrats on your wins!

Its too bad I hear the UBT event at Spirit Mountain is being cancelled :flame:

My contact at Spirit Mountain says their GM won't sign the UBT contract because it exposes them to potential financial liability, probably some kind of minimum guarantee on revenue, number of players, or cost contributions for production of the TV insert that was planned.

In any case, they are passing up a great opportunity for exposure as evidenced by the Venetian's success with the SNG model.

Let's applaud the casinos who seize the opportunity and pity the fools who let it pass by.

Kaminari

 

What is the difference between this Venetian and an online Bet21.com 100 SNG?

Some things are just....well you know

 

Sit And Go

Sound Like A Star Studded Event At The Venetion With All The Great Players I Hope I Will Meet Some Of These Players This Friday Max Ruebin Is The One Who Got Me Going To Try Blackjack Tournaments When I Watched Him On The World Series Of Blackjack 2 Years Ago And Have Been Hooked Ever Since And By The Way Won My First Tournament For 20k And A Few Final Tables:d :d

 

There were a lot of new faces that appeared tonight at the Venetian weekly Friday night sit & go's using the UBT Turbo Format.Some that I saw were.

Adraiana Jade
S Yama
SabreJack
John Blount
Kenny Einiger
James Grosjean
Joanna "Queen Of Spades"

Maxwell said he was going to be there and he may have but I didn't know what he looked like and he may have been sitting right next to me and I was not aware of it.So Mr Maxwell if you were there I apologize for not saying hello.Again if I missed anyone,its my BAD !!!!

There will be one small change starting next week the second & third elimination hand will be moved from hand 10 to hand 11 and from hand 15 to hand 16. This prevent the player in seat 5 who will be betting first on hand 5 from also having to bet first on hand 10.Russ Hamilton spoke with the Venetian staff and they seemed to agree to make the change before next week's event.

My success continued again this week with a $ 400 profit tonight when added to my $440 plus showing last week for a cool profit of $840 for 2 night of work.Work did I say that word?.I meant 2 nights of FUN playing Elimination style blackjack tournaments.

Rumor has it that one local casino will be offering these style tournaments on a smaller scale for the local Las Vegas crowd soon,and one other local casino had a representative there tonight at the Venetian observing,they are also interested and considering holding these style tournaments on a week night also.So if UBT gives them the go ahead Las Vegas will be holding a UBT mini Tournament format 4 days/ nights a week in Las Vegas.Great news for the tournament world.

The Day being talked about are

Monday Night TBA

Wednesday Night TBA

Thursday Afternoon (Palms)

Friday Night (Venetian)


Joep

 

A Sign

Tonight marked the third week of the Friday night Venetian UBT format Sit & Go's tournaments.I should have taken the sign that was given to me before I arrived at the Venetian. The sign was while driving there on 215 which is the road that connects Henderson to Las Vegas I happen to get a blow out and had to pull over.I awaited road assistance and I was actually considering going back home after the spare was put on the car.But I received two phone calls asking me where I was since I was scheduled to meet some players there that were attending these tournaments for the first time tonight.

So I chanced my mind and went to the Venetian to meet some friends.Well I proceeded to go 0-4 tonight losing $650.That amounts to about 75% of my first two weeks profit playing against some of the top players.Tonights field was made up of many new faces including one of our members, Thrasht who is in town this weekend which may explain his 3 day absense here on the forum.

The Venetian was using a sound system and a MC in the pit and this seemed to attract a number of new players to the game.Most told me that they have watched the show on CBS and when they heard the MC saying that these were the tournaments that are played on CBS they came over to play them

Max Rubin had one heck of a night winning I believe 6 of the 8 tournaments he played and his last win which I watched in disbelief as he was over 2 max bets behind with just 2 hands to go but he pulled a rabbit out the hat and split his 10-10 with a max bet and won 50,000 to win the tournament by less than 2,000.

One would think that with my 4 loses that I was one of Max's victims but I wasn't as I found a way to lose all by myself.

Great job by Max tonight, and when I gave him a lift home he had a pocket full of chips that made him walk like he had a bad knee.:laugh:



Joep

 

Just wondering ....

A few questions:

Were they still running the three different levels? 100, 200 & 500?

Was there any increase in the number of tables/pits or was it the same as weeks 1 & 2

Was there any advertising at the Venetian itself about the event or is it still hard to find like the Palms?

How are the cards handled? Double Deck, Shoe? CSM?

How long do these tables usually take? 20 minutes? 30 minutes?

Is there enough interest that a waiting list is necessary like at the poker rooms?

You say top names? Who? You mean TX and Barney were there? How about Skipper/Dreamer?

Are there any plans to host a tourney, like the Palms does or will the Venetian continue to strictly continue in a SNG format?

Finally I heard a rumor that the winners of the 500 SNG’s were getting hand signed autographed Play to Win books – any truth to THAT rumor? :joker:

 

Do you need me to teach you how to change a tire? LOL Damn city folk! LOL

 

[quote=fgk42;26224]A few questions:

Were they still running the three different levels? 100, 200 & 500?


They are offering all 3 levels but the 100 & 250 are by far the most popular.I personally believe the 500 is a tad bit expensive considering they are using the Turbo version an a player will be eliminated on hand 5.

Was there any increase in the number of tables/pits or was it the same as weeks 1 & 2

The pit remained the same with 6 tables holding these tournaments

Was there any advertising at the Venetian itself about the event or is it still hard to find like the Palms?

The Venetian last night had a PA system in place in the pit with timely announcements as to what was going on in Pit 2.They also had well done place cards handed out through out the casino about these tournaments and had the players fill out a survey on what could be done to make the tournaments more appealing.One of the questions were do you feel the entry fees are too high, too low, or just right


How are the cards handled? Double Deck, Shoe? CSM?

The game is dealt out of a shoe just like at every sanctioned UBT Tour stop

How long do these tables usually take? 20 minutes? 30 minutes?

The tables are lasting about 30-45 minutes unless Norm is at your table then we are talking about an hour :laugh:

Is there enough interest that a waiting list is necessary like at the poker rooms?

They seem to go off one after another on the 100 level,the 250 level sometimes needs an announcement that 1 or 2 players are needed to start the tournament

You say top names? Who? You mean TX and Barney were there? How about Skipper/Dreamer?

Did you forget what the entry fees are here,this should answer your question about the first 2 players.Now as far as the Mouth That Roared goes he knows how to yell and scream but this level may be way over his head :joker:

Are there any plans to host a tourney, like the Palms does or will the Venetian continue to strictly continue in a SNG format?

The Venetian will host a Main Event for the UBT Tour on July 12-15 2007


Finally I heard a rumor that the winners of the 500 SNG’s were getting hand signed autographed Play to Win books – any truth to THAT rumor?

That would be an unconfirmed rumor



Joep

 

Thanks for the offer,but I know how to change a tire,I was dressed up and
1) didn't want to get dirty
2) but the most important reason was with cars zipping by me at 75 MPH in the dark I wasn't going to attempt the change the tire on a major highway.My plan was to have someone pick me up and return to the car in daylight hours and deal with it.If I knew you were available last night I would have used your service after all I did have a few one dollar bills in my pocket for you, Hey with that you could enter a few of your cherished $1 tournaments.


Joep

 

TEAM UBT to the rescue!

<My plan was to have someone pick me up >

Joe being picked up on freeway by a 'yellow' helicopter on LV highway after fainting while trying to change tire.:laugh:

 

920

What am I supposed to learn from that?

 

Did elim hands change?

Having played in some of these the week before last and seeing Max getting trounced all over the place (really all about bad cards), nice to hear he did well this time.

Question for you though Joe--did they change the elim hands from 5, 10, 15 to 5, 11, 16 to fix the problem of the player on hand one ending up on button on two successive elim hands? I came away thinking this would be a good change to make.

And for anyone that cares, I played four and cashed in two, although the two $100's I cashed in did not make up for the two $250s I didn't! But it was a good night and I was happy with my play and I'd recommend these to anyone wanting to get some live elimination blackjack experience and have a chance at a few bucks...

Real glad to hear they are taking the suggestions from many of us to make a bigger deal of these by going on the P.A., putting out advertising, etc.

 

Sounds like fun, maybe I'll watch

I was going to take a flyer at the Venetian Friday nighters while we were there for Deb's final table at the Palms, but I think I'll enjoy spectating instead. It'll be interesting to see how real technicians play.

Myself, I've been handed the conclusion that I don't know what the f*** I'm doing, and the entry fees would be better spent on something with more promise. After losing 22 straight SnG's last night, then getting skunked by a couple of pure ploppies in the first round of the Paris freeroll tonight, The obvious conclusion is that I simply got ridiculously lucky at the Barona / L.A. final table and have absolutely no business mixing it up with the big boys.

I'm BR1 going into final hand, cover both my opponents handily, then watch in amazement as one pulls an all-in BJ while the other one DD's on a hard 16 against dealer 10. Dealer flips a face to beat me, then the DD ploppy gets a 5 - and I'm out. I give up.

Dirty Harry once said "A man's got to know his limitations" - and I know mine.

 

Damn I guess I'll never get a shot at those freeroll winning then! :laugh: