From someone who knows, the Sky Poker Vegas experience, is better than words can express; from the moment it sinks in you've just binked a seat, to the moment the heat hits you as you leave Mccarran airport.The sky team treat you like royalty, and nothing is too much trouble, and Mr Vegas himself (Tikay) ensures you get the best out of yourself when you're there. Dave & I have been to Vegas many times, but the Sky package, back in 2010 was the best by far, so everyone on sky should go for a chance of a lifetime like I did, you'll never forget it......................
I would encourage anyone to try and earn a few extra points as they could make the difference. The way Sky limit the tickets to points gives everyone a fair shot and with the site being relatively small you aren't looking at ridiculous odds.
The sky team really do look after you. Not sure SkySam will be able to go this year with having a new born baby, but I'm sure if he gives the company credit card to SkyMark he will look after it
As someone who experienced Vegas in my pre poker playing days and hence only got to sample the slots and blackjack, I have always had a burning desire to return and play some tournament poker there. Therefore excited to read the recent announcement.
So firstly, and most importantly, kudos to Sky for running this promotion and for the format they have come up with.
However, we are now in March, with a tournament starting in not much more than 3 months time. IrishRose and hhyftrftdr have already indicated a clash with their existing holiday commitments and I count myself among them with the same issue. I'm therefore disappointed that I'll not be able to attempt qualification for this one. I'm sure other 'regs' may have similar issues, whether it be an exact overlap of dates or just holiday commitments in close proximity.
I do appreciate the extensive 'behind the scenes' work that goes into these events with the legals, financials, logistics etc all needing to be sorted before going 'public'. So, purely in terms of feedback, should a similar event be considered for future years, maybe the organisational process could be started a little sooner to allow an earlier announcement?
Surely can release the date earlier, and tease us with the rest later...
Yeah, I think some kind of "Sky are doing *something* for Vegas" announcement around Xmas UKOPS then follow it up with the actual announcement in February/March is a decent line for allowing people to put dates in their diary. Might help player retention from Xmas UKOPS that way, too.
I guess the only thing is Sky will want to know dates for WSOP (particularly main event), then they'll have to get everything arranged which takes time, so there's a limit to how soon everything can happen. No idea if that's the case here.
Completely understand your views, & I will certainly pass them on to the Higher Ups for consideration in future years.
By way of some explanation, a couple of points of mitigation.
The event is being held at The Venetian, & before they would agree a date with Sky Poker, they needed to schedule their Deepstack Extravaganza Festival, which is a very big deal for them indeed, & until that was finalised, they were not in a position to offer Sky Poker firm dates. They did not announce the dates until 3 days ago (Friday March 2nd), although they did agree the Festival dates & share them with Sky Poker slightly earlier.
There is also the desire at any Business announcing a Promo to do a "grand reveal" with no spoolers in advance. I'm not entirely sure how much merit this line has, but it's what they do.
Finally, Sky Poker do Promos every single month, & as a commercial proposition, it is a bad thing to announce Promos too far in advance, as it can, on occasion, lessen the impact & value of current promos.
I do take your points though (not that my view matters one jot, iota or tickle), & I'll most certainly pass your views on to Sky Poker Towers in Leeds.
I think the issue is only relevant for a major summer tournament, in the sense that, by March, a lot of people will have finalised their main holiday plans. For events in other seasons, then a 3 month lead-in time seems perfectly reasonable.
Fully appreciate the position re The Venetian though, which in this case has dictated timings.
Unless I read their schedule wrong, by the time of SPT Las Vegas the Venetian will be holding their Deepstacks in their Sands Expo Centre away from the cardroom on site (if anyone is looking to go on a full on Vegas grind they should defo look at that schedule, they have really stepped it up with some brilliant looking events).
I would assume the SPT will play just in front of the Venetian card room where usually MTTs play out (the inside is almost always exclusively cash). The cardroom is one of the best in Vegas (owner's opinions on online poker aside) and the area to the front is perfectly fine, hopefully we aren't scooted around the back to the right by the Sportsbook as that can be a little less desirable, especially during a Baseball game with one person screeching to the pitch which made dogs in neighbouring counties howl. Ok the last bit is a very personal example from last year, but it's not great back there.
As far as letting people know in advance, there will always be people who have clashes sadly, just the nature of the beast. I have had clashes with events I really wanted to go to in the past or things I could have changed if I knew promos ahead of time. It's never ideal but one of those things you just gotta go with.
But again, I think this is an exceptional promo and I hope to bink a package. Good luck all.
Something that I've just thought of. Will the Venetian be processing and handing out temporary ITINs for cashes over $5k?
Given that it is likely that the large cashers of the event will not have had an ITIN before, and the process of claiming it back from the IRS is apparently quite painful, I really hope they will.
A few years ago when I got my first big Vegas cash it was normal for them to process them at the casinos, but in the last year or so some casinos have stopped offering that facility.
Something that I've just thought of. Will the Venetian be processing and handing out temporary ITINs for cashes over $5k?
Given that it is likely that the large cashers of the event will not have had an ITIN before, and the process of claiming it back from the IRS is apparently quite painful, I really hope they will.
A few years ago when I got my first big Vegas cash it was normal for them to process them at the casinos, but in the last year or so some casinos have stopped offering that facility.
I'll check the position on this & get back to you. My current understanding (may be incorrect) is that Sky Poker will be distributing the prize money, not The Venetian.
The Office have confirmed as per my understanding above - the payouts will be made by Sky Poker, not The Venetian. The payouts will be in cash - US Dollars - at the venue, but will be made by Sky Poker.
You are likely to have to sign some forms from Sky Poker before receiving the cash, but you will be paid the full amount.
This Sky package to Vegas is just fantasitc. I would absolutely love to go but I know it would be very tricky to manage time off etc - but I just can't help myself - have to attempt a few of the sats - just in case. If I was lucky enough to win a package I'll have to work on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend before - and probably til late every evening on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - and find a good marriage councellor........
This Sky package to Vegas is just fantasitc. I would absolutely love to go but I know it would be very tricky to manage time off etc - but I just can't help myself - have to attempt a few of the sats - just in case. If I was lucky enough to win a package I'll have to work on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend before - and probably til late every evening on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - and find a good marriage councellor........
Good luck all xx
Who had the very first day of the Vegas Sats in the 'Rose will change her mind and go for it' Sweepstake? I missed, I bet on yesterday.
Oh and I know of an excellent imaginary marriage councillor for the imaginary hubby
Comments
I would encourage anyone to try and earn a few extra points as they could make the difference. The way Sky limit the tickets to points gives everyone a fair shot and with the site being relatively small you aren't looking at ridiculous odds.
The sky team really do look after you. Not sure SkySam will be able to go this year with having a new born baby, but I'm sure if he gives the company credit card to SkyMark he will look after it
So firstly, and most importantly, kudos to Sky for running this promotion and for the format they have come up with.
However, we are now in March, with a tournament starting in not much more than 3 months time. IrishRose and hhyftrftdr have already indicated a clash with their existing holiday commitments and I count myself among them with the same issue. I'm therefore disappointed that I'll not be able to attempt qualification for this one.
I'm sure other 'regs' may have similar issues, whether it be an exact overlap of dates or just holiday commitments in close proximity.
I do appreciate the extensive 'behind the scenes' work that goes into these events with the legals, financials, logistics etc all needing to be sorted before going 'public'. So, purely in terms of feedback, should a similar event be considered for future years, maybe the organisational process could be started a little sooner to allow an earlier announcement?
I guess the only thing is Sky will want to know dates for WSOP (particularly main event), then they'll have to get everything arranged which takes time, so there's a limit to how soon everything can happen. No idea if that's the case here.
Completely understand your views, & I will certainly pass them on to the Higher Ups for consideration in future years.
By way of some explanation, a couple of points of mitigation.
The event is being held at The Venetian, & before they would agree a date with Sky Poker, they needed to schedule their Deepstack Extravaganza Festival, which is a very big deal for them indeed, & until that was finalised, they were not in a position to offer Sky Poker firm dates. They did not announce the dates until 3 days ago (Friday March 2nd), although they did agree the Festival dates & share them with Sky Poker slightly earlier.
There is also the desire at any Business announcing a Promo to do a "grand reveal" with no spoolers in advance. I'm not entirely sure how much merit this line has, but it's what they do.
Finally, Sky Poker do Promos every single month, & as a commercial proposition, it is a bad thing to announce Promos too far in advance, as it can, on occasion, lessen the impact & value of current promos.
I do take your points though (not that my view matters one jot, iota or tickle), & I'll most certainly pass your views on to Sky Poker Towers in Leeds.
I think the issue is only relevant for a major summer tournament, in the sense that, by March, a lot of people will have finalised their main holiday plans. For events in other seasons, then a 3 month lead-in time seems perfectly reasonable.
Fully appreciate the position re The Venetian though, which in this case has dictated timings.
I would assume the SPT will play just in front of the Venetian card room where usually MTTs play out (the inside is almost always exclusively cash). The cardroom is one of the best in Vegas (owner's opinions on online poker aside) and the area to the front is perfectly fine, hopefully we aren't scooted around the back to the right by the Sportsbook as that can be a little less desirable, especially during a Baseball game with one person screeching to the pitch which made dogs in neighbouring counties howl. Ok the last bit is a very personal example from last year, but it's not great back there.
As far as letting people know in advance, there will always be people who have clashes sadly, just the nature of the beast. I have had clashes with events I really wanted to go to in the past or things I could have changed if I knew promos ahead of time. It's never ideal but one of those things you just gotta go with.
But again, I think this is an exceptional promo and I hope to bink a package. Good luck all.
Given that it is likely that the large cashers of the event will not have had an ITIN before, and the process of claiming it back from the IRS is apparently quite painful, I really hope they will.
A few years ago when I got my first big Vegas cash it was normal for them to process them at the casinos, but in the last year or so some casinos have stopped offering that facility.
I'll check the position on this & get back to you. My current understanding (may be incorrect) is that Sky Poker will be distributing the prize money, not The Venetian.
I'll get back with the reply in due course.
^^^^
The Office have confirmed as per my understanding above - the payouts will be made by Sky Poker, not The Venetian. The payouts will be in cash - US Dollars - at the venue, but will be made by Sky Poker.
You are likely to have to sign some forms from Sky Poker before receiving the cash, but you will be paid the full amount.
Good luck all xx
Oh and I know of an excellent imaginary marriage councillor for the imaginary hubby
If ive just played but forgot to opt in but played earlier that week do they points count once i opt in?
Thanks.
I will find out & get back to you later today, rather oddly the T & C's don't seem to mention thus, unless I missed it.
Most important thing at the mo - have you NOW opted in?
I had a look through he T & Cs too but couldn't see anything.
Yeah I've opted in now.
All the best to anyone who goes.
My dream is to visit vegas myself one day unfortunately it's too high a risk for me at the minute.