Thanks Tikay10 appreciate that. Thanks for your comment Feelgroggy I agree with you my opinion is the same and I think its great playing with them and adds to the tournament, my experience of the event overall was enjoyable would also like to say the ambassadors I had at my table were fun, polite and added to the game in terms of enjoyment. The issue I have is that if a ambassador goes through day1a with a healthy stack to then play day1b is unrealistic for free and this was the issue. As a player would very unlikely pay to play a day1b with such a large amount of chips. This player can then play extremely exploitatively and a loose style. The ambassadors quote to a question from another player highlighted my point when asked why are you playing today there were some puzzled looks. If anyone gets through with a stack capable of winning a tournament certainly the vast majority of players maybe all players wouldn't then pay and play more hours the only other day trying to get a even bigger stack.
Thanks Tikay10 appreciate that. Thanks for your comment Feelgroggy I agree with you my opinion is the same and I think its great playing with them and adds to the tournament, my experience of the event overall was enjoyable would also like to say the ambassadors I had at my table were fun, polite and added to the game in terms of enjoyment. The issue I have is that if a ambassador goes through day1a with a healthy stack to then play day1b is unrealistic for free and this was the issue. As a player would very unlikely pay to play a day1b with such a large amount of chips. This player can then play extremely exploitatively and a loose style. The ambassadors quote to a question from another player highlighted my point when asked why are you playing today there were some puzzled looks. If anyone gets through with a stack capable of winning a tournament certainly the vast majority of players maybe all players wouldn't then pay and play more hours the only other day trying to get a even bigger stack.
My memory of other SPT's was that Skystaff and ambassadors only had 1 free entry?
Surely the more non-professional players in the field, the better for everyone involved? Especially when each bullet they fire adds £220 extra value. Their entry fee adds the same £500 to the prizepool that your entry fee does.
This is what you need the most, some people said to me they didn't buy into this tournament because the pool was too strong. I found myself getting off to a decent start but as I moved tables I did notice the strength change.
It was another great event looking forward to the next event already. WD to all the sky players who final tabled and cashed out
Hi everyone who was at SPT Grand Final. Thanks to all the Sky staff, and casino staff of course, on producing yet another well run event. Had a great time meeting up with you again, even though my stay in the tourney was sadly short lived. See you all next year
Thanks Tikay10 appreciate that. Thanks for your comment Feelgroggy I agree with you my opinion is the same and I think its great playing with them and adds to the tournament, my experience of the event overall was enjoyable would also like to say the ambassadors I had at my table were fun, polite and added to the game in terms of enjoyment. The issue I have is that if a ambassador goes through day1a with a healthy stack to then play day1b is unrealistic for free and this was the issue. As a player would very unlikely pay to play a day1b with such a large amount of chips. This player can then play extremely exploitatively and a loose style. The ambassadors quote to a question from another player highlighted my point when asked why are you playing today there were some puzzled looks. If anyone gets through with a stack capable of winning a tournament certainly the vast majority of players maybe all players wouldn't then pay and play more hours the only other day trying to get a even bigger stack.
Poker is one of a few games where if you can afford the buy in you can play with anyone from the World Champion downwards.
Try getting a game of snooker with Ronnie O'Sullivan or golf with Tiger Woods.
In Vegas you can find yourself next to top players even in the satellites to big tournaments.
I enjoyed my time at the event there were some great players out there and well played all. But have a winge and probably not going to be popular oooo😂Put in a lot of hours graft to get my seat for the event travelled up. But wasn't impressed with sky staff/ambassadors getting multiple free day1 bullets. My bust out was a complete punt and very likely wouldn't be played this way as they had already got a stack through day1a allowing them a free day1b do whatever they want I.e donking 3.5x pot with up n down straight draw on wrong end on flop being way behind and getting there. Wouldn't have been only player susceptible to this kind of play. Ambassadors are taking a lot of money and regs out the prizepool who are paying and being able to play with much bigger edges for free. I think the ambassadors are great and enjoy playing with them but in fairness I think there head should to be the value of the event and they should have 1 bullet each.
Would you of made the same observation if you had won the hand? With the hand you lost, it could of been a Conservative supporter or bad player making the same move. Its annoying when you bust like that but its a situation we want to be in as long term we end up with a decent stack more often than not.
I know its frustrating but this situation has arisen previously when players have won multiple sats and made it through from 1a. I know players were annoyed with @LnarinOO as he had a decent stack and was playing last couple of levels. Like Neil he was clear he was trying to spin up a big stack. I know it means you end up in higher risk day 1b but it also gives you a chance of getting a big stack.
I think Neil and the sky staff playing is really good. It means players can discuss things with them regarding sky poker. There is also the added bonus of the bounty prizes. Maybe Neil aside, a £500 tournament isn't going to be the normal sort of tournament for the sky staff playing so that is a plus for sky players playing the tournament even without the added bonus of the bounty prizes.
I think with the bounty prizes they are normally similar or greater than the buy in so it means its worth taking a gamble and going for from a ev perspective.
Agree Matt Bates with all of above. There is a big advantage on a player with a free 2nd bullet after getting through day1 with a good stack they can play a different way to anybody else especially if they are using it to there advantage which I think it was. They wouldnt play day 1B as probably wouldn't make sense after getting a stack capable of winning a comp. Its not just this hand but other options they have at there disposal. The head prize was a £220hr seat which was announced by one ambassador immaediately and another after they doubled up which I think was a genuine mistake but did make sense tactically. The hand result is irrelevant the play isn't. Agree ambassadors are definitely a positive but felt a free second bullet after getting through with a healthy stack on day1a was a unrealistic dynamic.
I enjoyed my time at the event there were some great players out there and well played all. But have a winge and probably not going to be popular oooo😂Put in a lot of hours graft to get my seat for the event travelled up. But wasn't impressed with sky staff/ambassadors getting multiple free day1 bullets. My bust out was a complete punt and very likely wouldn't be played this way as they had already got a stack through day1a allowing them a free day1b do whatever they want I.e donking 3.5x pot with up n down straight draw on wrong end on flop being way behind and getting there. Wouldn't have been only player susceptible to this kind of play. Ambassadors are taking a lot of money and regs out the prizepool who are paying and being able to play with much bigger edges for free. I think the ambassadors are great and enjoy playing with them but in fairness I think there head should to be the value of the event and they should have 1 bullet each.
Thanks for your various Posts on this matter, & whilst you did have a gripe, your views were well-balanced & are appreciated.
I certainly do have some sympathy with your observation, but there are 2 sides to this debate.
When someone has already carried a big stack through on Day 1A & then play Day 1B , yes, they are going to gamble far more, but that's to your benefit surely, as their chips are very much "in play", & they play really loosey-goosey. That's surely a double-edged sword?
In this case, two of the Sky Staff/Ambassadors carried a stack from Day 1A, but neither had a big stack, both were well below average. The Day 1A average finishing stack was approx 135,000, but both stacks carried forward were substantially less than that.
Bear in mind also that these guys all carried a "Bounty" which was worth, on this occasion, £220.
I do see your point, but I think on balance, allowing the Ambassadors/Staff to fire Day 1B bullets when they already have a Day 2 stack is not unreasonable. Both sides of the table seem to gain some benefit to the arrangement. Their entry has to be paid for in the normal way & goes into the Prize Pool.
Anyway, I'll certainly pass your comments on to the Big Cheeses.
That apart, I do hope you had an enjoyable day & a safe journey home.
Thanks Tikay10 appreciate that. Thanks for your comment Feelgroggy I agree with you my opinion is the same and I think its great playing with them and adds to the tournament, my experience of the event overall was enjoyable would also like to say the ambassadors I had at my table were fun, polite and added to the game in terms of enjoyment. The issue I have is that if a ambassador goes through day1a with a healthy stack to then play day1b is unrealistic for free and this was the issue. As a player would very unlikely pay to play a day1b with such a large amount of chips. This player can then play extremely exploitatively and a loose style. The ambassadors quote to a question from another player highlighted my point when asked why are you playing today there were some puzzled looks. If anyone gets through with a stack capable of winning a tournament certainly the vast majority of players maybe all players wouldn't then pay and play more hours the only other day trying to get a even bigger stack.
Just to confirm, two of the Sky Staff/Ambassadors carried a stack through from Day 1A, but both stacks were well below average, so I would not describe them as "large" stacks.
Neither of those 2 players survived their Day 1B bullets.
So they both took their Day 1A "sub-average" bullets into Day 2.
I enjoyed my time at the event there were some great players out there and well played all. But have a winge and probably not going to be popular oooo😂Put in a lot of hours graft to get my seat for the event travelled up. But wasn't impressed with sky staff/ambassadors getting multiple free day1 bullets. My bust out was a complete punt and very likely wouldn't be played this way as they had already got a stack through day1a allowing them a free day1b do whatever they want I.e donking 3.5x pot with up n down straight draw on wrong end on flop being way behind and getting there. Wouldn't have been only player susceptible to this kind of play. Ambassadors are taking a lot of money and regs out the prizepool who are paying and being able to play with much bigger edges for free. I think the ambassadors are great and enjoy playing with them but in fairness I think there head should to be the value of the event and they should have 1 bullet each.
Would you of made the same observation if you had won the hand? With the hand you lost, it could of been a Conservative supporter or bad player making the same move. Its annoying when you bust like that but its a situation we want to be in as long term we end up with a decent stack more often than not.
I know its frustrating but this situation has arisen previously when players have won multiple sats and made it through from 1a. I know players were annoyed with @LnarinOO as he had a decent stack and was playing last couple of levels. Like Neil he was clear he was trying to spin up a big stack. I know it means you end up in higher risk day 1b but it also gives you a chance of getting a big stack.
I think Neil and the sky staff playing is really good. It means players can discuss things with them regarding sky poker. There is also the added bonus of the bounty prizes. Maybe Neil aside, a £500 tournament isn't going to be the normal sort of tournament for the sky staff playing so that is a plus for sky players playing the tournament even without the added bonus of the bounty prizes.
I think with the bounty prizes they are normally similar or greater than the buy in so it means its worth taking a gamble and going for from a ev perspective.
At Nottingham, if I recall correctly, it was a £220 entry, & the Bounties were £550 Grand Final Seats.
At the Grand Final, which was £550 entry, the Bounties were £220 High Roller seats to Xmas UKOPS.
No logic to that really, but it's just how it falls.
So the Staff/Ambassadors effectively contribute the value of their entry (to the Prize Pool) plus a Bounty each time they enter. At both Nottingham & Manchester GF the value per entry was around £770. (£220 + £550 at Notts, £550 plus £220 at the GF).
Usually, there are 4 who play, and they usually play both Day 1's, so in all, in each of these 2 instances, they add ~£6,160 of value (8 x £770). Over the 2 events that's north of £12,000. Note that the cost of their entry is added to the Prize Pool.
I do have some sympathy with the observation hazelwoo05 made, but I also think there are 2 sides to it.
@Tikay10 Thankyou for your reply, further information and passing it on. Still stand by my observation but do see the other side of the coin more clearly. I would like to say I enjoyed the event and the ambassadors overall were a positive experience. Hope to play some more live sky events in the future. Cheers
@Tikay10 Thankyou for your reply, further information and passing it on. Still stand by my observation but do see the other side of the coin more clearly. I would like to say I enjoyed the event and the ambassadors overall were a positive experience. Hope to play some more live sky events in the future. Cheers
Just to clarify an error in my previous posts. I wrote;
"Just to confirm, two of the Sky Staff/Ambassadors carried a stack through from Day 1A, but both stacks were well below average, so I would not describe them as "large" stacks."
@Tikay10 Thankyou for your reply, further information and passing it on. Still stand by my observation but do see the other side of the coin more clearly. I would like to say I enjoyed the event and the ambassadors overall were a positive experience. Hope to play some more live sky events in the future. Cheers
...... Talking of which, have the dates been confirmed for the first one of Next Year @Tikay10? We do have an inkling that it may be around @HANSON and my Birthdays again, but it would be great to have it confirmed so we can book our Hotel's whilst they are 'Cheap as Chips'
Great to hear the News that there will be future SPT's. ALL the players that attend them have such a good time, because of how well run they are. Many, many thanks to you @Tikay10. @Sky_SamT, and @Sky_James, and please pass on our gratitude to Doug and his Team of Dealers and Staff. Looking forward to seeing you all up there in ... Feb?
One other point on the Ambassadors playing Day 1b too, is that it means players who can only play Day 1b, get the opportunity to win the Bounties as well, which they wouldn't get if the Ambassadors just played Day 1a.
Good updates Tikay and well done to all that cashed.
Can understand hazelwoo being a bit disappointed with the way he went out, but one thing that I don't think has been mentioned is that for the Skypoker staff and Ambo that get entered I believe this is part of their work package / salary and maybe a little bit of a jolly, so hard to begrudge them that.
Comments
It was another great event looking forward to the next event already.
WD to all the sky players who final tabled and cashed out
Andy
Try getting a game of snooker with Ronnie O'Sullivan or golf with Tiger Woods.
In Vegas you can find yourself next to top players even in the satellites to big tournaments.
To my mind it adds to the thrill of the game.
Highlight of the weekend had to be Ricky Hatton badgering Lord Palace for a picture at about 5am on the first night.
I know its frustrating but this situation has arisen previously when players have won multiple sats and made it through from 1a. I know players were annoyed with @LnarinOO as he had a decent stack and was playing last couple of levels. Like Neil he was clear he was trying to spin up a big stack. I know it means you end up in higher risk day 1b but it also gives you a chance of getting a big stack.
I think Neil and the sky staff playing is really good. It means players can discuss things with them regarding sky poker. There is also the added bonus of the bounty prizes. Maybe Neil aside, a £500 tournament isn't going to be the normal sort of tournament for the sky staff playing so that is a plus for sky players playing the tournament even without the added bonus of the bounty prizes.
I think with the bounty prizes they are normally similar or greater than the buy in so it means its worth taking a gamble and going for from a ev perspective.
@Tikay10 What was the value of the bounty prizes?
Hi @hazelwoo05
Thanks for your various Posts on this matter, & whilst you did have a gripe, your views were well-balanced & are appreciated.
I certainly do have some sympathy with your observation, but there are 2 sides to this debate.
When someone has already carried a big stack through on Day 1A & then play Day 1B , yes, they are going to gamble far more, but that's to your benefit surely, as their chips are very much "in play", & they play really loosey-goosey. That's surely a double-edged sword?
In this case, two of the Sky Staff/Ambassadors carried a stack from Day 1A, but neither had a big stack, both were well below average. The Day 1A average finishing stack was approx 135,000, but both stacks carried forward were substantially less than that.
Bear in mind also that these guys all carried a "Bounty" which was worth, on this occasion, £220.
I do see your point, but I think on balance, allowing the Ambassadors/Staff to fire Day 1B bullets when they already have a Day 2 stack is not unreasonable. Both sides of the table seem to gain some benefit to the arrangement. Their entry has to be paid for in the normal way & goes into the Prize Pool.
Anyway, I'll certainly pass your comments on to the Big Cheeses.
That apart, I do hope you had an enjoyable day & a safe journey home.
Just to confirm, two of the Sky Staff/Ambassadors carried a stack through from Day 1A, but both stacks were well below average, so I would not describe them as "large" stacks.
Neither of those 2 players survived their Day 1B bullets.
So they both took their Day 1A "sub-average" bullets into Day 2.
@MattBates
Hi Matt.
The Bounties vary from SPT to SPT.
At Nottingham, if I recall correctly, it was a £220 entry, & the Bounties were £550 Grand Final Seats.
At the Grand Final, which was £550 entry, the Bounties were £220 High Roller seats to Xmas UKOPS.
No logic to that really, but it's just how it falls.
So the Staff/Ambassadors effectively contribute the value of their entry (to the Prize Pool) plus a Bounty each time they enter. At both Nottingham & Manchester GF the value per entry was around £770. (£220 + £550 at Notts, £550 plus £220 at the GF).
Usually, there are 4 who play, and they usually play both Day 1's, so in all, in each of these 2 instances, they add ~£6,160 of value (8 x £770). Over the 2 events that's north of £12,000. Note that the cost of their entry is added to the Prize Pool.
I do have some sympathy with the observation hazelwoo05 made, but I also think there are 2 sides to it.
Smell the value.
I suppose the point you make is reasonable. Rather like my Updates then.
Be great to see you at a future SPT.
Just to clarify an error in my previous posts. I wrote;
"Just to confirm, two of the Sky Staff/Ambassadors carried a stack through from Day 1A, but both stacks were well below average, so I would not describe them as "large" stacks."
In fact, only 1 of those 2 played Day 1B.
@MISTY4ME
Hi mate,
No, dates for 2020 have yet to be confirmed, beyond what is shown here;
https://www.skypoker.com/secure/poker/sky_lobby/community/forums#/discussion/177012/sky-poker-plans-for-2020
Can understand hazelwoo being a bit disappointed with the way he went out, but one thing that I don't think has been mentioned is that for the Skypoker staff and Ambo that get entered I believe this is part of their work package / salary and maybe a little bit of a jolly, so hard to begrudge them that.