Teams have been on Skypoker for a while now, but there's a few things that make them inappropriate in my opinion, and Sky may want to reconsider them. I speak as someone who has been in a team (TKP) for a few years, and enjoy the cameraderie that the team engenders. We all know poker is an individual game, and that's acknowledged by all teams. I haven't seen collusion, and it's nothing to do with that. The problem arises here when Sky has allowed anyone to set up teams, styling themselves as "captains" etc without anyone checking to see how those teams are run, who can or can't join a team and who makes the decision as to who is "in" or "out" for whatever reason. Now, if there wasn't any reward for teams, it wouldn't be relevant or any of Sky's concern about team politics and the in-fighting that can go on when any group of people get together with any sort of hierarchy system. However, Sky DOES offer team prizes, and so indirectly they encourage and condone the pettiness that can and does occur. I think the DTD competition is a great idea. It has brought about a great community spirit, and the teams really get behind their players. Think on this, would it have been any different if Sky had nominated teams, and DTD players were assigned a team randomly in order? Not only would it take away this hierarchy, but it would also mean that all teams would have roughly equal numbers (clearly some people would register with a team, then never or rarely play so slight inequities could exist over time, but that can be remedied when new players join). They could still have facebook pages, and team spirit, but no-one could be removed on the whim of a single person (whether warranted or not). Surely Sky should be deciding who can or can't win prizes, not team captains? I'm not saying I'm right, but am opening up a discussion. There's been some unsavoury incidents from time to time, and maybe that's just human nature, but give someone a little power, and they can behave in very strange ways. Posted by Eyeman
Graham I've highlighted the 2 main points I would like to address. First of all I want to say it's definitely not an ego thingwith Pokertrev that he is known as the captain. TPT once stood for Team Poker Trev (he had 5 minutes to come up with a name before DTD started on that particular night) The name has never sat easy with him and last year I believe he asked for alternative suggestions. I eventually came up with Team Poker Titans and Trevor was all for it. The TPT team was his idea and it seems only natural that he is called captain and I can say for sure he does not run it as an autocracy. He is always willing to listen to other members input. As far as I am aware not a single player has been refused entry to TPT. When a player has been removed from TPT it is ALWAYS for a valid reason whether it be chat abuse, cheating or scamming players. These decisions are never taken by Trevor alone there is always serious discussion about it between Trevor and myself and sometimes other team members.
Let's however take a scanario when someone (let's say me) starts a team, but I don't like black people or gay people or gingers or women or a certain religion or people who look at me in a funny way. Is it OK that I can run my team thus?
I may not advertise that's how I do it, but I could still do so. No-one would be any the wiser.
Surely that's wrong.
It's not only wrong to run a team like this but it's nigh impossible. Apart from a poker alias and maybe some basic info on a players profile page we know nothing about other players. Can you please explain how you would find out whether they are black, gay or Catholic? A questionnaire? Even if you have SkyPoker deciding the teams how do you know that the Sky employee involved doesn't have those prejudices?
Putting the team placements in the hands of Sky would make things worse in my opinion. There are certain players, thankfully not too many of them, that I wouldn't want to be in the same team as.
By the way the DTD is only a very small part of the reason to have teams these days. Most players join a team for the camaraderie, because they want to be involved in the community aspect and maybe even to seek advice to improve their poker.
Finally I think it's rather ironic that a team member of TKP (with a self appointed captain) is against the team thing.
In Response to Re: The Case Against Teams : Good above points H!! But I've Highlited???, Coz I dont Know whats brought this on?? Pray Tell or pm me?? Have I done summat wrong, why my name was brought up?? If I not involved in whatever GREAT, lets keep it that way pls, as I got enuf on !! Posted by HITMAN_RV
You're a tad excitable today Dave?!
You're name was brought up cos Eyeman left me an open goal and I tapped it in. I even put a wink to show that I wasn't being serious. Here's another one just for you
The 'issue' that I know Graham is getting at has nothing to do with you or THS.
Eyeman, 24 hours later and I still don't agree with a word of what you put in OP. Complete knee jerk reaction. Change the whole team set up on Sky over the one 'incident'? Nah.
In Response to Re: The Case Against Teams : You're a tad excitable today Dave?! You're name was brought up cos Eyeman left me an open goal and I tapped it in. I even put a wink to show that I wasn't being serious. Here's another one just for you The 'issue' that I know Graham is getting at has nothing to do with you or THS. Eyeman, 24 hours later and I still don't agree with a word of what you put in OP. Complete knee jerk reaction. Change the whole team set up on Sky over the one 'incident'? Nah. Posted by hhyftrftdr
LOL Exitable, am positively & absolutley Semi-Lobbed, as Fulham are playing tonight!!
No issue, was kiddin too ;].
I agree again FFS!!!!!!!!!!!... we may need to get a Room Jon!!
I suppose it depends which team you are in and how you are treated. Sometimes people have to leave a team because of their behaviour or their inability to accept the team ethos. That is hardly a problem because there are always other teams they can join or as a last resort they can start their own team.
I really enjoy the team element of DTD & I think it makes it the most enjoyable night of poker all week. Whilst it is an individual competition, it was great to have a rail supporting me when I final tabled last Monday.
Not sure what upset the OP but I think he is in a small minority.
. Think on this, would it have been any different if Sky had nominated teams, and DTD players were assigned a team randomly in order? Not only would it take away this hierarchy, but it would also mean that all teams would have roughly equal numbers (clearly some people would register with a team, then never or rarely play so slight inequities could exist over time, but that can be remedied when new players join).
Sky poker randomly drop a river card, look what happens then if it doesn't fall inline with what players wanted, in some cases this sends people away from sky and all kinds of negative feedback....just sayin But honestly, I used to be a gamer and joined teams for that, it's the best thing to do in my opinion and nice to have a choice who you are online socialising, gaming and sharing ideas with.
Wouldn't dropping people in random teams be hierachy and control yet again, we are all adults on sky poker I think it's fair we make choices and enjoy it how we choose, I stick to being allowed to make choices
I am pretty much an outsider here, but I wouldn't mind reading the sub-text on this one, interesting post.
I think your outcome would be the hunger games of skypoker
In Response to The Case Against Teams : Sky poker randomly drop a river card, look what happens then if it doesn't fall inline with what players wanted, in some cases this sends people away from sky and all kinds of negative feedback....just sayin But honestly, I used to be a gamer and joined teams for that, it's the best thing to do in my opinion and nice to have a choice who you are online socialising, gaming and sharing ideas with. Wouldn't dropping people in random teams be hierachy and control yet again, we are all adults on sky poker I think it's fair we make choices and enjoy it how we choose, I stick to being allowed to make choices I am pretty much an outsider here, but I wouldn't mind reading the sub-text on this one, interesting post. I think your outcome would be the hunger games of skypoker Posted by justmartin
Yup Nice Post!! People Have to Have Choices, I hope my Team have Choices, Fun, Sporting Ethic, Inclusivity & Equality of Voice, thats what we strive for despite several outside disagreeing, but thats another debate sry!!
Subplot???
You would not believe me if i told you All I know & experianced mate, LOL!!
History....
Well Heres a development Story in itself... in table form over nearly 4 Years!!!
...as said before, it was just a challenge between Me, My 7ish Mates in newly formed Sky HitSquad, & Don, Irene with already established TKP, about 14 in number!
Many Changes, Teams developed, some faded, New Ones started.. BUT THIS IS SKY HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!
RESULTS FROM START OF FORUM DTD TEAM LEAGUE!!!
{Started by HITMAN_RV May 2011}
Champions Runners-up May '11 Team Knightplop Team HitSquad June '11 Team PokerTrev Team HitSquad July '11 Team 51Team PokerTrev Aug.'11 Team PokerTrevTeam 51 Sept.'11 Team 51Team HitSquad Oct. '11 Team HitSquad Team 51 Nov.'11 Team PokerTrevTeam Hitsquad Dec.'11 Team HitSquad Team PokerTrev Jan.'12 Team PokerTrev Team 51 Feb.'12 DYM LegEndsTeam Hitsquad March12 Team HitSquadTeam PokerTrev April '12 Team HitSquad Team PokerTrev May 12 PokerTitans Team Hitsquad June 12 Team HitSquad PokerTitans July 12 Team 51Team HitSquad Aug 12 Team HitSquad Team 51 Sept 12 Team 51 Team HitSquad Oct 12 Team HitSquad Team Diamond Nov 12 Team Diamond Team HitSquad Dec 12 Team HitSquad Team Diamond Jan 13 Team HitSquadTeam 51 Feb 13 Team HitSquad Team Diamond March13 Team HitSquad Poker Titans April 13 Team HitSquad Poker Titans May 13 HitSquad Jams Team Diamond June13 Team 51 HitSquad Jams July 13 HitSquad Jams Team 51 Aug.13 HitSquad JamsPoker Titans Sept 13HitSquad JamsHitSquad Donks Oct 13 Poker Titans HitSquad Donks Nov 13 HitSquad Donks HitSquad Jams Dec 13 Poker Titans HitSquad Jams Jan 14 HitSquad Jams HitSquad Donks Feb 14 Poker Titans HitSquad Jams March14 Poker Titans HitSquad Jams April 14 HitSquad Poker Titans May 14 HitSquad Poker Titans June 14 HitSquad Poker Titans July 14 Poker Titans HitSquad August14 HitSquad Poker Titans Sept 14 HitSquad Dragons Oct 14 HitSquad Outlaws Nov 14 HitSquad Poker Titans Dec 14 HitSquadDragons
Interesting OP Graham. I will Comment later on points as just busy earning a Living at present! Importantly TEAMS are Independant of Sky!! But if run well, Sky support their Aims for mutual benifit! Poker Team HitSquad, as Capo, is a Hobby to me, & For Others, for Fun! [As I already Run, Own a Thriving Business Outside of Poker]. IMPORTANT FUN!!!!!!!!!!..I think Best that way!!! Now you have to work at anything to keep it Strong, stay Focused, Disciplined, Ethical, and after 4 Years, 150+Members, Much Success, including Winning The APAT National Team Championships, i think we doing something rite! The Monday Forum DTD has Dovetailed well, & been complimented by Teams, 80-90% of regged runnrrs are Team Players No! All to your Own.. Well-Run Teams will Flourish as current Ones are... Not so well Run Teams will fade away or Implode as has happened!! ....Laws of Human Jungle as Business' Or Footll clubs for instance. I Personally Try to Support all Other Teams that want it, as with FOSP etc, dispite what a minor few may imply! Wow, said more than i thought... Will add small points later. GL All!! Heil Hitman........Fack, Ooooppsss, just a slip I promise!! Posted by HITMAN_RV
Can you expand on what you mean by this please David?
Hi Eyman & all. Just to let you know, I am aware of this thread & will post my comments/thoughts when I have a more suitable opportunity.
I have attended a funeral today & I can honestly say, there is nothing more important than family & friends. They are always there to support one another and imo the teams do exactly that.
I will post more at a later date to address your issues.
The latter (and I 100% include myself in that category sometimes) would still exist without the teams. Yes the teams create an environment and community in which it is easier for the idiots to be heard, but take away the teams and we'd still find somewhere else to express our idiocy.
Regarding restricting who can set up teams or how they can be set up, now that really does sound like a dictatorship. The current way is just fine, you don't have to be in a team, if you want to you can choose to be in any team you like (providing they are taking on new members), if non of the existing teams fit hey feel free to set one up yourself.
# Hitman RV, Dave, is it because TKP have only ever featured once in the top two, in the inaugural two team compy, in the 4 years it's been running, lol .....lights blue touch-paper and retreats to safe distance Posted by Red_King
LOL!! You Bad!!
TKP, The First EVER Forum DTD Champions, Have to be respected!! Defo XX
I Remember Now they formed from a Join up of Dave PillingsTeam Ploppers & Irenes Team 'Poker Knights' or summat I think, Eyeman will correct me..
# Hitman RV, Dave, is it because TKP have only ever featured once in the top two, in the inaugural two team compy, in the 4 years it's been running, lol .....lights blue touch-paper and retreats to safe distance Posted by Red_King
also I think TPT did actually join in later that Month, I will check back!!
Nope I was wrong... First Month was only a ONE week Month, checkout this History... PMSL!! I Made top Ten with 109 points, but it was agg of 3 results then, & for nealry first year!!
Kennybad joined THS later Gutted, we woulda won first title!!
Think Trev jumped in on that first nite with few TPT & Team DTD League was born!
Interestingly TKP were actually indirectly formed by Sky!
As Dave says Team Plop and Knights of the Oval table formed a rivalry in the Sky promotion of the team games
TKP then formed as these two merged after the event, the rivalry was always great banter
Sky originally formed these teams, I was in team Dohhhhhh, the eventual winners, teams of 8
If you were either of these two teams you became automatically member of TKP, others joined by association
I am not in any team but was in TKP, I see no harm, there are other teams outside of Sky poker and some of those have sponsorships by major online sites, other groups such as My Poker Pal, Grassroots Poker and The Pokeriety are all great group resources on social media.
Teams (or preferably groups/squads) are a great idea for poker. They're made up 99% of fun/recreational players and anything that encourages these types of people to play more poker has to be good for the game.
The only problem I see is that of collusion. NOT by team members themselves but it's easy for new/inexperienced players reading the forum and seeing a 'team' section to get the wrong idea about what is and isn't acceptable at the table.
"Well they're a team so why shouldn't me and my mate play as a team" sort of thing. I'm sure it happens.
Sky did the right thing in banning team names from players locations at the table, I'd go a step further and remove this section of the forum too.
I think the team captains are all very well suited to their roles and do a great job in ensuring that the positives of having teams far outweigh the negatives.
Brief History of TKP, the first team on Sky Interestingly TKP were actually indirectly formed by Sky! As Dave says Team Plop and Knights of the Oval table formed a rivalry in the Sky promotion of the team games TKP then formed as these two merged after the event, the rivalry was always great banter Sky originally formed these teams, I was in team Dohhhhhh, the eventual winners, teams of 8 If you were either of these two teams you became automatically member of TKP, others joined by association I am not in any team but was in TKP, I see no harm, there are other teams outside of Sky poker and some of those have sponsorships by major online sites, other groups such as My Poker Pal, Grassroots Poker and The Pokeriety are all great group resources on social media. Posted by SolarCarro
I have never been in a team but if I was to be in a team I now know what team I would be in!
Given anyone can start a team and anyone can leave a team this by default means that captains cant just do what they want long term as if they do then upset members can leave and start a new team or just not be in a team at all. You don't have to be in the same team as someone to be friends with them/talk strategy etc likewise you don't have to get on with everyone in your team. Some people aren't going to get on with others, that's life, get on with it and move on.
Hi Graham Here are my thoughts on the teams debate.
The problem arises here when Sky has allowed anyone to set up teams, styling themselves as "captains" etc without anyone checking to see how those teams are run, who can or can't join a team and who makes the decision as to who is "in" or "out" for whatever reason. The criteria for TPT "Team Poker Titans" is ANYONE can join and anyone can leave, they are free to come and go as they please. We exist to have fun & support one another at the tables. I see us as more of a "Social Group" than a team. The only players that have ever been removed from the team list are those that have been seriously abusive in the chat box or on the forum, but thankfully there haven't been too many.
Now, if there wasn't any reward for teams, it wouldn't be relevant or any of Sky's concern about team politics and the in-fighting that can go on when any group of people get together with any sort of hierarchy system. However, Sky DOES offer team prizes, and so indirectly they encourage and condone the pettiness that can and does occur. The DTD Prizes are awarded on individual performance & NOT on team performance. You don't need to be in a team to play the DTD or win prizes. The team league however, which is run separately and was originally started by Hitman does now have team prizes and on this point I can agree with you. At present a Free tournament seat etc is awarded to a team based on team performance and it is then up to Captains/Vice captains to allocate that seat to one of it's players. Unfortunately at the moment there is no fair way or system in place to award that seat to team members. In the past myself or our vice captain have tried to distribute prizes based on a players performance, players who are actively involved in supporting other team members or just generally a player who may be going through a downswing etc, but this is far from ideal.
I think the DTD competition is a great idea. It has brought about a great community spirit, and the teams really get behind their players. Think on this, would it have been any different if Sky had nominated teams, and DTD players were assigned a team randomly in order? Not only would it take away this hierarchy, but it would also mean that all teams would have roughly equal numbers (clearly some people would register with a team, then never or rarely play so slight inequities could exist over time, but that can be remedied when new players join). They could still have facebook pages, and team spirit, but no-one could be removed on the whim of a single person (whether warranted or not). Surely Sky should be deciding who can or can't win prizes, not team captains? The problem with Sky nominating teams & players is, you will never have the same comradary. At present we are a group of friends/mates who enjoy our poker & enjoy the sociability aspect of being in a group. I have never seen the same level of support with the sky teams REDS, YELLOWS, BLUE etc and a lot of the time players are away. These types of teams will never flourish or have the same level of support, fun & banter as a group of friends.
Teams having equal numbers? - TPT have a team list of over 100 players, however we very rarely field 15-20 players each week. When we had a limit of 20 team members we struggled to field a competitive team each week as some of those members were not active each week.
You have mentioned the hierarchy within teams a few times, but in my opinion it works just like facebook - You set up a page or a group & then friends / colleagues request to join & you either accept them as friends or you don't. As the person that set up that page/group you are the self appointed "Admin" - People who don't like you won't request to join & people who are disruptive or abusive will be removed, so in my opinion it's really as simple as that really.
I don't see myself as the captain, but I am responsible to ensure our group / team thread complies with the rules of the forum & have always strived to ensure players respect others at the tables.
I'm not saying I'm right, but am opening up a discussion. There's been some unsavoury incidents from time to time, and maybe that's just human nature, but give someone a little power, and they can behave in very strange ways.
Teams or no teams, there will always be some unsavoury incidents, on the forum & in the chat boxes, but surely the the teams / social groups can only have a positive impact on reducing this sort of behaviour? If friends / players want to be in our team, we always ask that they show others respect & act in a responsible manner and I think this can only have a positive impact for all involved and makes it a more enjoyable online experience.
TPT have always supported one another as a group and I can only hope we continue to do so, I see us as nothing more than online friends & some of us have even become close friends outside of online poker too, so it has had many positive impacts & very few minor ones.
All teams do things differently I suppose, but on the whole I think it has been a good thing.
Can we allocate prizes differently or better? YES perhaps it is something we can look at so that the allocation of prizes / seats is NOT in the control of captains / vice captains etc. I think that would be a good thing.
In Response to The Case Against Teams : Sky poker randomly drop a river card, look what happens then if it doesn't fall inline with what players wanted, in some cases this sends people away from sky and all kinds of negative feedback....just sayin But honestly, I used to be a gamer and joined teams for that, it's the best thing to do in my opinion and nice to have a choice who you are online socialising, gaming and sharing ideas with. Wouldn't dropping people in random teams be hierachy and control yet again, we are all adults on sky poker I think it's fair we make choices and enjoy it how we choose, I stick to being allowed to make choices I am pretty much an outsider here, but I wouldn't mind reading the sub-text on this one,
In Response to The Case Against Teams : Sky poker randomly drop a river card, look what happens then if it doesn't fall inline with what players wanted, in some cases this sends people away from sky and all kinds of negative feedback....just sayin But honestly, I used to be a gamer and joined teams for that, it's the best thing to do in my opinion and nice to have a choice who you are online socialising, gaming and sharing ideas with. Wouldn't dropping people in random teams be hierachy and control yet again, we are all adults on sky poker I think it's fair we make choices and enjoy it how we choose, I stick to being allowed to make choices I am pretty much an outsider here, but I wouldn't mind reading the sub-text on this one, interesting post. I think your outcome would be the hunger games of skypoker Posted by justmartin
FFS ,cant anyone see the obvios,if thers anything you dont like about it go away
Comments
Putting the team placements in the hands of Sky would make things worse in my opinion. There are certain players, thankfully not too many of them, that I wouldn't want to be in the same team as.
By the way the DTD is only a very small part of the reason to have teams these days. Most players join a team for the camaraderie, because they want to be involved in the community aspect and maybe even to seek advice to improve their poker.
Finally I think it's rather ironic that a team member of TKP (with a self appointed captain) is against the team thing.
You're name was brought up cos Eyeman left me an open goal and I tapped it in. I even put a wink to show that I wasn't being serious. Here's another one just for you
The 'issue' that I know Graham is getting at has nothing to do with you or THS.
Eyeman, 24 hours later and I still don't agree with a word of what you put in OP. Complete knee jerk reaction. Change the whole team set up on Sky over the one 'incident'? Nah.
No issue, was kiddin too ;].
I agree again FFS!!!!!!!!!!!... we may need to get a Room Jon!!
GLGL!
I suppose it depends which team you are in and how you are treated. Sometimes people have to leave a team because of their behaviour or their inability to accept the team ethos. That is hardly a problem because there are always other teams they can join or as a last resort they can start their own team.
I really enjoy the team element of DTD & I think it makes it the most enjoyable night of poker all week. Whilst it is an individual competition, it was great to have a rail supporting me when I final tabled last Monday.
Not sure what upset the OP but I think he is in a small minority.
But honestly, I used to be a gamer and joined teams for that, it's the best thing to do in my opinion and nice to have a choice who you are online socialising, gaming and sharing ideas with.
Wouldn't dropping people in random teams be hierachy and control yet again, we are all adults on sky poker I think it's fair we make choices and enjoy it how we choose, I stick to being allowed to make choices
I am pretty much an outsider here, but I wouldn't mind reading the sub-text on this one, interesting post.
I think your outcome would be the hunger games of skypoker
People Have to Have Choices, I hope my Team have Choices, Fun, Sporting Ethic, Inclusivity & Equality of Voice, thats what we strive for despite several outside disagreeing, but thats another debate sry!!
Subplot???
You would not believe me if i told you All I know & experianced mate, LOL!!
History....
Well Heres a development Story in itself... in table form over nearly 4 Years!!!
...as said before, it was just a challenge between Me, My 7ish Mates in newly formed Sky HitSquad, & Don, Irene with already established TKP, about 14 in number!
Many Changes, Teams developed, some faded, New Ones started..
BUT THIS IS SKY HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!
RESULTS FROM START OF FORUM DTD TEAM LEAGUE!!!
{Started by HITMAN_RV May 2011}
Champions Runners-up
May '11 Team Knightplop Team HitSquad
June '11 Team PokerTrev Team HitSquad
July '11 Team 51 Team PokerTrev
Aug.'11 Team PokerTrev Team 51
Sept.'11 Team 51 Team HitSquad
Oct. '11 Team HitSquad Team 51
Nov.'11 Team PokerTrev Team Hitsquad
Dec.'11 Team HitSquad Team PokerTrev
Jan.'12 Team PokerTrev Team 51
Feb.'12 DYM LegEnds Team Hitsquad
March12 Team HitSquad Team PokerTrev
April '12 Team HitSquad Team PokerTrev
May 12 PokerTitans Team Hitsquad
June 12 Team HitSquad PokerTitans
July 12 Team 51 Team HitSquad
Aug 12 Team HitSquad Team 51
Sept 12 Team 51 Team HitSquad
Oct 12 Team HitSquad Team Diamond
Nov 12 Team Diamond Team HitSquad
Dec 12 Team HitSquad Team Diamond
Jan 13 Team HitSquad Team 51
Feb 13 Team HitSquad Team Diamond
March13 Team HitSquad Poker Titans
April 13 Team HitSquad Poker Titans
May 13 HitSquad Jams Team Diamond
June13 Team 51 HitSquad Jams
July 13 HitSquad Jams Team 51
Aug.13 HitSquad Jams Poker Titans
Sept 13 HitSquad Jams HitSquad Donks
Oct 13 Poker Titans HitSquad Donks
Nov 13 HitSquad Donks HitSquad Jams
Dec 13 Poker Titans HitSquad Jams
Jan 14 HitSquad Jams HitSquad Donks
Feb 14 Poker Titans HitSquad Jams
March14 Poker Titans HitSquad Jams
April 14 HitSquad Poker Titans
May 14 HitSquad Poker Titans
June 14 HitSquad Poker Titans
July 14 Poker Titans HitSquad
August14 HitSquad Poker Titans
Sept 14 HitSquad Dragons
Oct 14 HitSquad Outlaws
Nov 14 HitSquad Poker Titans
Dec 14 HitSquad Dragons
Just to let you know, I am aware of this thread & will post my comments/thoughts when I have a more suitable opportunity.
I have attended a funeral today & I can honestly say, there is nothing more important than family & friends. They are always there to support one another and imo the teams do exactly that.
I will post more at a later date to address your issues.
2/3 Teams are not about any more & some only field 2/3 when they did field 15/20+ in past
look at list above......
Sad but Not Playing anymore, Diamond, Ninja Plonkers, others, etc
Numbers well Down for Phoenix, 51, TKP etc, just stating Facts!!
Outlaws are thriving, they must have come from good Stock, X
Idiots = Bad
The latter (and I 100% include myself in that category sometimes) would still exist without the teams. Yes the teams create an environment and community in which it is easier for the idiots to be heard, but take away the teams and we'd still find somewhere else to express our idiocy.
Regarding restricting who can set up teams or how they can be set up, now that really does sound like a dictatorship. The current way is just fine, you don't have to be in a team, if you want to you can choose to be in any team you like (providing they are taking on new members), if non of the existing teams fit hey feel free to set one up yourself.
LOL!! You Bad!!
TKP, The First EVER Forum DTD Champions, Have to be respected!!
Defo XX
I Remember Now they formed from a Join up of Dave PillingsTeam Ploppers & Irenes Team 'Poker Knights' or summat I think, Eyeman will correct me..
The First Poker Teams Admittedly!!
How Did Titans start Trev, Dale??
Nope I was wrong...
First Month was only a ONE week Month, checkout this History...
PMSL!! I Made top Ten with 109 points, but it was agg of 3 results then, & for nealry first year!!
Kennybad joined THS later Gutted, we woulda won first title!!
Think Trev jumped in on that first nite with few TPT & Team DTD League was born!
COMP /
PLAYER
7.15
DP STK
7.45
DP STK
8.30 TOTY
TOTAL
ROSSJB14 (TKP)
4
8
10
22
YOUNG GUN (THS)
1
43
11
55
KENNYBAD
22
17
17
56
MADMOO (TPT)
16
15
37
68
GREGHOGG (TKP)
17
44
15
76
MP33
48
20
18
86
DTWBANDIT (TKP)
64
12
24
100
BARBIE59 (THS)
35
7
59
101
FREECHIPS1
78
3
23
104
HITMAN RV (THS)
42
9
58
109
Interestingly TKP were actually indirectly formed by Sky!
As Dave says Team Plop and Knights of the Oval table formed a rivalry in the Sky promotion of the team games
TKP then formed as these two merged after the event, the rivalry was always great banter
Sky originally formed these teams, I was in team Dohhhhhh, the eventual winners, teams of 8
If you were either of these two teams you became automatically member of TKP, others joined by association
I am not in any team but was in TKP, I see no harm, there are other teams outside of Sky poker and some of those have sponsorships by major online sites, other groups such as My Poker Pal, Grassroots Poker and The Pokeriety are all great group resources on social media.
Given anyone can start a team and anyone can leave a team this by default means that captains cant just do what they want long term as if they do then upset members can leave and start a new team or just not be in a team at all. You don't have to be in the same team as someone to be friends with them/talk strategy etc likewise you don't have to get on with everyone in your team. Some people aren't going to get on with others, that's life, get on with it and move on.
Here are my thoughts on the teams debate.
The problem arises here when Sky has allowed anyone to set up teams, styling themselves as "captains" etc without anyone checking to see how those teams are run, who can or can't join a team and who makes the decision as to who is "in" or "out" for whatever reason.
The criteria for TPT "Team Poker Titans" is ANYONE can join and anyone can leave, they are free to come and go as they please. We exist to have fun & support one another at the tables. I see us as more of a "Social Group" than a team. The only players that have ever been removed from the team list are those that have been seriously abusive in the chat box or on the forum, but thankfully there haven't been too many.
Now, if there wasn't any reward for teams, it wouldn't be relevant or any of Sky's concern about team politics and the in-fighting that can go on when any group of people get together with any sort of hierarchy system. However, Sky DOES offer team prizes, and so indirectly they encourage and condone the pettiness that can and does occur.
The DTD Prizes are awarded on individual performance & NOT on team performance. You don't need to be in a team to play the DTD or win prizes.
The team league however, which is run separately and was originally started by Hitman does now have team prizes and on this point I can agree with you.
At present a Free tournament seat etc is awarded to a team based on team performance and it is then up to Captains/Vice captains to allocate that seat to one of it's players. Unfortunately at the moment there is no fair way or system in place to award that seat to team members.
In the past myself or our vice captain have tried to distribute prizes based on a players performance, players who are actively involved in supporting other team members or just generally a player who may be going through a downswing etc, but this is far from ideal.
The problem with Sky nominating teams & players is, you will never have the same comradary. At present we are a group of friends/mates who enjoy our poker & enjoy the sociability aspect of being in a group. I have never seen the same level of support with the sky teams REDS, YELLOWS, BLUE etc and a lot of the time players are away. These types of teams will never flourish or have the same level of support, fun & banter as a group of friends.
Teams having equal numbers? - TPT have a team list of over 100 players, however we very rarely field 15-20 players each week. When we had a limit of 20 team members we struggled to field a competitive team each week as some of those members were not active each week.
You have mentioned the hierarchy within teams a few times, but in my opinion it works just like facebook - You set up a page or a group & then friends / colleagues request to join & you either accept them as friends or you don't. As the person that set up that page/group you are the self appointed "Admin" - People who don't like you won't request to join & people who are disruptive or abusive will be removed, so in my opinion it's really as simple as that really.
I don't see myself as the captain, but I am responsible to ensure our group / team thread complies with the rules of the forum & have always strived to ensure players respect others at the tables.
Teams or no teams, there will always be some unsavoury incidents, on the forum & in the chat boxes, but surely the the teams / social groups can only have a positive impact on reducing this sort of behaviour?
If friends / players want to be in our team, we always ask that they show others respect & act in a responsible manner and I think this can only have a positive impact for all involved and makes it a more enjoyable online experience.
TPT have always supported one another as a group and I can only hope we continue to do so, I see us as nothing more than online friends & some of us have even become close friends outside of online poker too, so it has had many positive impacts & very few minor ones.
All teams do things differently I suppose, but on the whole I think it has been a good thing.
Can we allocate prizes differently or better? YES perhaps it is something we can look at so that the allocation of prizes / seats is NOT in the control of captains / vice captains etc. I think that would be a good thing.