I've been playing the new weekly Thursday tournament at Choctaw Durant if that helps. If you see me there, be sure to introduce yourself! I'll be there this week but not next.
Ken, were you at Choctaw tonight (8/24). Finally got the skinny in person on this format only to learn they're changing it up in September due to crazy popularity. Was hoping you were playing tonight. The pit crew was helpful on the changes... met
I haven't been there the last couple of weeks, because it was not worth standing in line for so long. What changes are they going to make?
No, I decided to wait until they make some changes. I was there two weeks ago, and stood in line for 1 hour 50 minutes. I barely made the cut to get a seat, as I was number 44 of 48. Too much time in line for me. I hope they either expand it substantially or start charging an entry fee What was it like this week?
I arrived at 6:30 knowing they'd be full. Mine was just to scout the tournament rules. Lotta griping about filling up quickly. Many got there at 2:00. They are going to a 72 player format with a quote, "raffle" to determine who gets in. Talked to one lady who was really pi**ed. Says she can only attend this tournament because it's free. Her compulsive gambling husband did get a seat. I'm with you, institute a buy-in. And I've only played one tournament my whole life, but doesn't look these folks ever read Wong's Tournament book LOL.
I think he's talking about the players. Of course, despite a pretty inexperienced field, I've yet to make it past the quarter finals. :-O I think I'll head up there this week to see if they have switched to a lottery approach yet.
Well, I backed out today, and did not make the trip. I really didn't want to go up there to find out they weren't beginning the new changes until September. I'm planning on next week now.
That was my experience with the Kewadin BJT's in Michigan. No matter how well I played, some "what the hell!" moment would happen and I'd be sent to the rail.
My nemesis event is a local roulette tournament. Despite the fact that only a few players in the field have any strategy at all, I have never advanced past the quarter final. I always lose on the critical final spin with an optimal bet out. On the other hand, I always had good luck at Kewadin, despite what I considered to be a strong field.
Well, my first tourney last week and me and the gent next to to me were tied for the chip lead b4 the last hand. I bet first. Knowing two advance, I went all in. He'd go all in and whoever won the hand advanced. BR3 didn't have enough chips to catch us. For some reason I casually said two advance right, and dealer says no, three advance. WTF!, why would this table advance 3 when it been clearly stated that the new format advances only 2 per table. This was the last seating of four tables to establish the groups for the next round. And HOW did I miss that tidbit of REALLY important info. Well my opponent bet minimum, I busted and the guy with not enough chips to catch us advanced as BR3. As this is a raffle for open seats, could it be that the casino HAD to advance more players to fill out all the available seats for the next round, ie. there weren't enough total entrants to make a 2 player/table workable? Oh well, lesson learned and time to dig out the hearing aids LOL
I'm a bit confused. You said that BR3 did not have enough chips to catch you. It sounds like, if you bet minimum, you had a lock to advance regardless of whether it was 2 advance or 3 advance. By going all in, you essentially gave BR3 and everyone else enough chips to catch you. We call it giving up the low. Am I missing something? It sounds like your opponent made the right bet. Second, I hope the reason you ended up tied going into the final hand was because you miscounted your opponent's chips before the second last hand (i.e. you missed a chip). You should never willingly place a bet that allows you to end up tied with another player going into the final hand. You should have either bet more (if you were betting to win) or bet less (if you were betting for your opponent to lose). Finally, always confirm the format and the number of advancers at the beginning of each round. Things change all the time during tournaments. If you can ask your questions in such a way that the other players don't hear your questions or the answers, even better. This often means tracking down a supervisor and taking them aside before you take your seat. I once played an event where everyone though it was table-advance when, in fact, it was accumulation, because that's what it had been the previous time the event was held!
Thanks Gronbog, I've a steep learning curve here. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if me and the other guy are BR* and tied with chips, as the dealer proclaimed on the next to last hand, and 3 advance, then I and the other BR* both bet minimum, we both advance with either a win or a loss. And I suppose never trust the dealer to accurately count the chip totals, should do it myself or affirm in my own mind the dealer is correct. I didn't total my opponents chips, was pondering my next bet. Had a rough idea, knew we were close. Thanks again!
The way I read your riginal post, you would advance if you bet minimum regardless of the bets or results of any other player. You said that BR3 did not have enough chips to catch you, so the worst you could finish was second. Yes, you should always do your own chip count, even if the chips are being broken down and counted by the dealer or supervisor. Mistakes are made frequently and what matters is what you or your opponent actually have and not what totals are called out. Also, if the "official" count is in error, keep it to yourself. You are under no obligation to inform the other players.
100% correct, as usual for Gronbog. Always count 'em yourself and if you see an error in the official count, keep your yap shut about it. I won a small BJT in Vegas once because the count was wrong and nobody else noticed it, the player who ended up in 2nd place squealed long & loud to no avail. Take any legal advantage you can get!
