Viva Las Vegas 2015 - that's a wrap.

Tikay10

8pm Las Vegas, Friday 10th July.

Well that's it for 2015, we are done & dusted.

Our last player, Daren, exited the Main Event today, so we are finished, but what a journey it's been, so, with a little time on my hands now, & the UK all safely tucked up in bed, a few thoughts & recollections.  

Tikay10

35 Side Event packages, & 5 Main Event packages won on Sky Poker - who'd have thought?

As far as I am aware, no other online room, none in the world, awarded so many packages, & good packages they were, too, with players billeted in the magnificent Palazzo.
 
Many of the packages - I've no idea how many, but perhaps a third of them? - were awarded in Freerolls, & for those who took the satellite route, the entry level was just a couple of quid.

Sky Poker seem to attract negativity whatever they do, I guess that's part of the British mentality. In the USA, they celebrate success, in the UK, not so much.

To my mind, they've done a cracking job with Viva Las Vegas, & deserve credit for that.  

Tikay10

Viva Las Vegas began, I think, in 2008 or 2009, & I'm honoured to have been part of their Team in Vegas every time they have attended the WSOP.
 
As you know, of course, they never ran Viva Las Vegas the last year or two, & Team Sarcy said we would never do so again.

It's unbelievably complex these days, with Regulation being what it is, & that was why it could not happen every year.

Not only are there Online Gaming Regulations to follow to the letter, but there are also guidelines. Guidelines are a pain the whatsit, because the onus is on the Business to interpret them as they see fit. SB&G are obsessively squeaky clean, & it's easier to say no than yes, "just in case". 

For starters, "promoting overseas gaming" is an immensely awkward thing to interpret correctly. That explains the very careful wording on the T & C's & Satellites. Words have to be weaved with great care. Trying to work with WSOP is a tough gig, too.
 
Then there are the anti money laundering regulations. SB&G run an extremely tight ship as to how money is handled, they have to, their whole Business a VERY big Business indeed these days. All the SB&G businesses, be it Poker, Bingo, Bet, Vegas, Casino or whatever, are handcuffed by complex legislation as to handling money.

So now you have to imagine the Head of Poker, or Marketing, wandering into the Accountants Office one morning with a Petty Cash Voucher for about $100,000, "err, can you send $100k across to a Casino in Las Vegas please?". This ain't going to get through too easily.

Anyway, a legit way round all these problems took some finding. They so nearly achieved it for the WSOP in 2014, but just ran out of time, but Punta Cana soon followed, that was a sort of test, & it worked. Maybe not ideal in every way, no, but it was the only deal in town. And all the while, people were making negative noises about the lack of Viva Las Vegas, & saying it would never return. It's MUCH more difficult than many realise, & it's a shame people were so negative. 

So not only did they do it, they did it well. Hats off to Sky Poker, imo.  
 


 

Tikay10

The players?

They were great, every one of them. Filled me with pride to see all our players wearing their Sky Poker Hoodies at the Tables.

There are always a few "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" stories, & yes, we had a few of them. Those tales will remain untold.

There was a Welcome Party, a 4th July Party, & one or two meals. For me, personally, these were a challenge. I have not touched alcohol in 47 years, & being the only sober person in a room of well-oiled individuals requires social skills I don't possess. I don't have ANY issues with people drinking, or getting drunk, I just find it an extremely uncomfortable social situation, & I'm not very good at it. All the players seemed to understand that, & were very understanding. Thanks, lads.
 
I don't do "group" meals in Vegas, either. I must have declined invites, or found feeble excuses, 20 times this trip, in fact I've almost never had group dinners in Vegas, perhaps 5 times tops in 10 years. Not my scene at all. I did take Sam, Neil & Dan for breakfast up on Mt Charlston the day after they arrived as a sort of bonding exercise, & to get us all off on the right foot though. It was excellent.
 
I'm due to have dinner with Neil, Anne, & Nolna Dalla tomorrow, as a "goodbye Vegas 2015". I'm working on my excuse as we speak.    

Tikay10

Dan & Sam flew home this afternoon, as scheduled.
 
We agreed between us that one of us would remain here as long as we had players or a player still in the Main Event. 

So as Sam & Dan flew out of McCarron this afternoon, whilst Neil & I stayed behind to look after Daren. He promptly bust. Sam will give me us so much grief. I'll blame Mr Ambo.
 
Neil & Anne fly home tomorrow (Saturday) evening.

I fly home on Sunday (arrive Gatters Monday morning after an all-night flight). I may try & move my flight forward 24 hours, but that's unlikely. An extra 24 hours at home wold be handy, as I'm due to do the Show on Tuesday.  

Tikay10

Anyway, that's Viva Las Vegas 2015.

I hope most of you enjoyed following it, & those who won packages had a ball.

Will there be a VLV in 2016? I've no idea, the Business rarely discuss stuff like that with me these days. I would not bet against it though, & I reckon if they can, they will.

We shall see.

Till the next time, then, Viva Las Vegas.    

Tikay10

Meanwhile, in Vegas, the Main Event bubble approaches. This is usually a huge moment, though it's been a bit diluted this year, with so many (1,000) receiving $15,000.
 
All the play now is in Amazon & Brasilia, plus a few Tables in Miranda, which is actually the Poker Kitchen.
 
The Poker Kitchen closes for good (for 2015) at midnight tonight.

Pavilion closed last night, I was playing cash, Big O, & they threw us all out at 2am.
 
At 9am this morning, all the poker tables chairs & paraphernalia were being removed & dismantled.














Why the haste to get rid of the poker tables?

Pool. The USA Pool Championship starts here next week. Can you imagine, hundreds of pool tables in The Rio?

Curt360x27

Big +1 Tikay

One can only imagine the difficulty and stresses of organising things for that many qualifiers but Sky did it immensely. Big thanks to all the sky team that made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. 

I think the vast majority of the community thought that this was the best package promotion Sky have ran in the sense that it gave every kind of player an excellent chance of qualifying in various ways. I think I speak for everyone when I say I hope Sky run the promotion again next year with the various routes to get there used again.

Tikay10

In Response to Re: Viva Las Vegas 2015 - that's a wrap.:

Big +1 Tikay One can only imagine the difficulty and stresses of organising things for that many qualifiers but Sky did it immensely. Big thanks to all the sky team that made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.  I think the vast majority of the community thought that this was the best package promotion Sky have ran in the sense that it gave every kind of player an excellent chance of qualifying in various ways. I think I speak for everyone when I say I hope Sky run the promotion again next year with the various routes to get there used again.
Posted by Curt360x27

Thanks Curt.

"vast majority", yes.

It quite surprised me - & I've been round the block a few times more than most - that even the Mayhem Freerolls attracted some grumbles, but it only proves that it's not possible to please everyone. We live in toasty times, I guess, when people complain about freerolls where you can win a Vegas package. How extraordinary.  

FCHD

Thanks for all the updates and videos Tikay and all the Sky team. Having the VLV promotion and taking so many players to Las Vegas has certainly added another dimension to the WSOP this year.

Roll on next year please.

Nuggy962

Was brilliant reading the updates and progress every morning before work over a good old cup of tea. 

Just the right mix of poker, humour and randomness. Another great job by sir TK, Sam and the team.  Have a safe journey home, and thanks again for turning the community pages into my morning read

gerardirl

Magnificent coverage, updates and great to  think so many people on Sky had the opportunity to go to the WSOP.

I love playing recreational poker on Sky but this is the first year Ive ever payed proper attention to the WSOP and I've really enjoyed it thanks to Sky and FCHD. The video links were my favourite!

Funny how you say about feeling awkward in certain situations....its almost like your describing me! I know exactly how you feel in those situations.

Thanks Tikay and Neil and the whole crew at Sky for bringing us all this entertainment.

Ger

Sky_SamT

Loved every second of it, was a pleasure to be a part of. 

However I leave you and Neil in charge of our last man and within an hour he has bust??

Donttelmum

I had a blast from start to finish.  Thanks to all at sky.

You pulled a sick bluff if you were feeling uncomfortable at the parties Tikay.  Was great to have you there.

I've been home under a week and I'm already desperate to get back out there.

mumsie

Thanks Thanks thanks

for a great read and a peek behind the scenes at metropolis Sky.

Darkangel7

Loved reading every thing, wish we were there. A big +1 to sky for their amazing packages, also to you and everyone else reporting on the WSOP and behind the scenes crew. If it is run next year, me and rose will be doing our best to secure a seat to Vegas. Tin hats at the ready that's all I will say. Safe flight home and well done to all the sky players who got there. I really hope that you enjoyed it and made the most of a brillaint experience.

alex1229

In Response to Re: Viva Las Vegas 2015 - that's a wrap.:

35 Side Event packages, & 5 Main Event packages won on Sky Poker - who'd have thought? As far as I am aware, no other online room, none in the world, awarded so many packages, & good packages they were, too, with players billeted in the magnificent Palazzo.   Many of the packages - I've no idea how many, but perhaps a third of them? - were awarded in Freerolls, & for those who took the satellite route, the entry level was just a couple of quid. Sky Poker seem to attract negativity whatever they do, I guess that's part of the British mentality. In the USA, they celebrate success, in the UK, not so much. To my mind, they've done a cracking job with Viva Las Vegas, & deserve credit for that.   
Posted by Tikay10

That is a terrific achievement, i'm gutted i wasnt able to take part this time around. But hopefully you guys do it again next year, you can definetely count me in. I dont think anyone can say anything negative, to be able to offer 40 packages to Vegas is a steller performance. Well done everyone at Sky Poker.

REDARROW61

Well done Sky Poker and a massive thank you to tikay and gang for superb updates, great videos and Yes unbeleivable viva las vegas promo. May it continue for the future.

Nannypat66

The VLV series of games was GREEEEEEEEEEEEEAT
the coverage from Vegas was GREEEEEEEEEEEEEAT
The Videos were GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAT.  it really felt like we were there
Tikay, Neil Sam and Dan were GREEEEEEEEAT
in fact whole thing was GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAT
Thank you everyone and ignore the moaners.
Roll on VLV next year
Nannypat66

liamboi11

Great work from all sky guys and was pleasure meeting all of yous(Tikay,Sam,Dan,Neil and Andy) and was also great meeting all the qualifiers in vegas it will be a holiday I won`t forget.

Hope myself and others get the chance to do it all over again next year because I personally think it`s been a massive success the VLV promo this year.

TimmyRaRa

Great work Sky loved every minute Sky poker will always be my main site love it on here!!