I have chatted with many first time SPT players and seen so many posters on the forum without a clue what they've really won when they win a seat at an SPT.
As a minimum there should be a static page on Sky Poker with basic details about how a normal SPT weekend runs. i.e.
Casino ID required Casino dress code Casino address
Friday night - Optional Explanation that Sky Poker players often arrive Friday evening for the house tournament.
Saturday Recommend arriving at midday to familiarise yourself 2pm registration explain SnG side events explain side house tournaments approximate finish times
For many players an SPT will be their first ever live event, a little explanation goes a long way.
As players win seats into the SPT they should be PM'd AND emailed at their registered address the above, or a link to the above if it is held online.
Posting the above on the forum less than a week before the event is too little too late.
SnG Satellites Direct into the ME or into the Semi.
Celebs Sometimes they have been great, sometimes they only add value to the players they are immediately sat next to. e.g. Ian Frazer played the ME, stayed for SnG's and played the other side event in the evening. Kitty Lea came along for the Friday tournament, stayed until late. Played in the Saturday tournament, stayed for the late evening SnG's. John McCrurick arrived just before the ME on Saturday, bust out, left.
Those that want to enjoy the weekend please invite, those that arrive, bust and are leaving the casino before their chips are pushed to the winner aren't worth inviting.
SnG's Pre-approved SnG's with the casino Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Often it is hard if not impossible to arrange a SnG and when we do we are paying what seems like a lot to play when I'd assumed that Sky Poker had already paid the casino for use of the facilities. Luton 2010/2011 has always set the benchmark for SnG's. It seems that we pay for a set of chips and deck and can play as many SnG's as we please.
Side Events Guaranteed Saturday evening side tournament. At Leeds there was to be no side tournament, at about 6pm I heard many players were planning on leaving the casino to go and play an 8pm tournament elsewhere. I spoke to Lisa-Marie who sweet talked the Manager into running a 'SnG' if we could get necessary numbers. We set the buy in, we arranged the structure, we set the chip stack size. In the next hour we got about 50 people to play a tournament the casino said there was no demand for. If this could all be arranged ahead of time it would be great. Basically what I'm saying is that Orford only won the tournament thanks to Lisa-Marie and me. ;-)
Sky Poker Merchandise Surely Sky Poker would love to have players out and about as free advertising. Create Sky Poker t-shirts, polo-shirts, hoodies. Sell them at cost. I'm sure plenty of people would buy them.
Communication, Communication, Communication. I have chatted with many first time SPT players and seen so many posters on the forum without a clue what they've really won when they win a seat at an SPT. As a minimum there should be a static page on Sky Poker with basic details about how a normal SPT weekend runs. i.e. Casino ID required Casino dress code Casino address Friday night - Optional Explanation that Sky Poker players often arrive Friday evening for the house tournament. Saturday Recommend arriving at midday to familiarise yourself 2pm registration explain SnG side events explain side house tournaments approximate finish times For many players an SPT will be their first ever live event, a little explanation goes a long way. As players win seats into the SPT they should be PM'd AND emailed at their registered address the above, or a link to the above if it is held online. Posting the above on the forum less than a week before the event is too little too late. SnG Satellites Direct into the ME or into the Semi. Celebs Sometimes they have been great, sometimes they only add value to the players they are immediately sat next to. e.g. Ian Frazer played the ME, stayed for SnG's and played the other side event in the evening. Kitty Lea came along for the Friday tournament, stayed until late. Played in the Saturday tournament, stayed for the late evening SnG's. John McCrurick arrived just before the ME on Saturday, bust out, left. Those that want to enjoy the weekend please invite, those that arrive, bust and are leaving the casino before their chips are pushed to the winner aren't worth inviting. SnG's Pre-approved SnG's with the casino Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Often it is hard if not impossible to arrange a SnG and when we do we are paying what seems like a lot to play when I'd assumed that Sky Poker had already paid the casino for use of the facilities. Luton 2010/2011 has always set the benchmark for SnG's. It seems that we pay for a set of chips and deck and can play as many SnG's as we please. Side Events Guaranteed Saturday evening side tournament. At Leeds there was to be no side tournament, at about 6pm I heard many players were planning on leaving the casino to go and play an 8pm tournament elsewhere. I spoke to Lisa-Marie who sweet talked the Manager into running a 'SnG' if we could get necessary numbers. We set the buy in, we arranged the structure, we set the chip stack size. In the next hour we got about 50 people to play a tournament the casino said there was no demand for. If this could all be arranged ahead of time it would be great. Basically what I'm saying is that Orford only won the tournament thanks to Lisa-Marie and me. ;-) Sky Poker Merchandise Surely Sky Poker would love to have players out and about as free advertising. Create Sky Poker t-shirts, polo-shirts, hoodies. Sell them at cost. I'm sure plenty of people would buy them. Posted by Machka
Good points, Aaron.
Except for the bit about me winning because of you...
In Response to Re: SPT 2011/12 - help us make it better. : Good points, Aaron. Except for the bit about me winning because of you... Posted by RICHORFORD
Some very good points Aaron apart form that last bit about Sky Poker selling their wares @ cost??!! Yeh, right, have you seen their rake charges on here? Unless of cause MODS/GUESTS & the Priorty lot get theirs cheaper and the rest of us have to pay extra?.....:))))
Machka makes loads of good points. If you are gonna sell them then they have to be at cost as players aren't buying them to go down the pub with/paint the garden fence but to wear to play live/home games...and these are the kinda things that get people talking when playing live.
If Sky are feeling generous then how about a free goody bag for everyone whos in the tournie? Couple of pens/headed post its/card protector/some stick on badges.
Oh, and recall all the TSP Hoodies and get Sky Poker printed on the back big and bold. From the rear* they are just a plain blue hoodie. *No, I never saw Lisa-Marie in a TSP hoodie. Posted by Machka
Excellent idea!!!!
Why do people never advertise on the back of something???
Those that want to enjoy the weekend please invite, those that arrive, bust and are leaving the casino before their chips are pushed to the winner aren't worth inviting.
Hear hear, actually caring a little about the competition should be a prerequisite for Sky guests. Barry Carter clearly didn't give a **** and said as much at the table and on TV, played any 2 like a maniac and laid bad beats on half the table.
Going by the dagger stares and two people I spoke to he'd busted it didn't go down quite so well with some. If you've paid £200+ in entry, travel & accomodation then get knocked out by a guy playing bingo because his entry fee has been payed by the organisers I can see how you might feel a little aggrieved.
J/K, I'm just bitter because the one time I went over the top of him he actually had it. Bring him to every SPT please
Sky Poker pays a fee for running the main event NOT for the use of the facilities for free for other events
Aaron writes
SnG's Pre-approved SnG's with the casino Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Often it is hard if not impossible to arrange a SnG and when we do we are paying what seems like a lot to play when I'd assumed that Sky Poker had already paid the casino for use of the facilities. Luton 2010/2011 has always set the benchmark for SnG's. It seems that we pay for a set of chips and deck and can play as many SnG's as we please.
So much of this is incorrect. Tricky to pre-approve SNGs as so often capacity depends on dealer and player availability
Side Events Guaranteed Saturday evening side tournament. At Leeds there was to be no side tournament, at about 6pm I heard many players were planning on leaving the casino to go and play an 8pm tournament elsewhere
Who would you want to guarantee the side tournament?
There was not a side tournament scheduled for Leeds, no
One idea being worked on for next year is a scheduled Saturday evening tournament at each SPT
Celebs Sometimes they have been great, sometimes they only add value to the players they are immediately sat next to. e.g. Ian Frazer played the ME, stayed for SnG's and played the other side event in the evening. Kitty Lea came along for the Friday tournament, stayed until late. Played in the Saturday tournament, stayed for the late evening SnG's. John McCrurick arrived just before the ME on Saturday, bust out, left.
Those that want to enjoy the weekend please invite, those that arrive, bust and are leaving the casino before their chips are pushed to the winner aren't worth inviting.
There has already been a move away from non-poker celebs, though this is pressure of numbers as much as anything. With more seats being taken up by competition winners, Priority Club, team sky poker etc then I would not expect that to change for next year
I don't agree that Barry Carter was a disappointing guest. Not least because the coverage he gave the event afterwards was excellent
I have chatted with many first time SPT players and seen so many posters on the forum without a clue what they've really won when they win a seat at an SPT.
As a minimum there should be a static page on Sky Poker with basic details about how a normal SPT weekend runs
I can write the page easily, and earlier. This might well be necessary as SPT 2011-12 is looking like a more complex animal. As to static pages and emailing it, I have to bounce that through to people in Sky
Hey, I think the Ricoh Arena Conventry would be a great Venue, also bring the SPT back to Birmingham. Also how about starting the SPT's at 12:00 instead of 14:00 to get extra levels in or longer levels Posted by ChirpyChip
Coventry is a fine venue, yes
Will also look at Stoke. Though it is in Stoke.
Starting at midday is a casino staffing issue, and tricky because of costs/overtime/shift patterns.
It would also turn a 16 hour day for Sky staff into an 18 hour working day which has to be factored in.
A Scottish and Irish leg would both be a lot of fun. I think that Sky did one in Glasgow but the venue really wasn't up to standard. Posted by scotty77
Correct, though that's not to say they couldn't improve
Ireland is a nice thought, but venues in Dublin, say, are even trickier than in Scotland. Most large scale Irish Poker is in hotels.
I've enjoyed 6 so far (DTDx2, Lutonx2, Blackpool and Swansea) and would try to keep qualifying without any changes but..... ....what stood out in Luton was the fantastic structure to their Friday night Tourney made the Sky event the next day feel like a Velocity. Tikay will know the structure better than me but I recall 10k chips and 45 min blinds. The only downside was sitting next to Chompy for 5 hours (just joking - turns out he's a nice guy after all) See you all in Cardiff. Posted by Doudeau
that Luton comp is superb, but it has to whittle 70 runners tops down to a winner and takes 9 hours to do so
hi all have been to a few spts everyones been fantastic just too add why not the isle of wight in one of the holiday camps i understand the travel but most camps out off season do deals with ferry tickets included as for dealers not sure there are gcasino in portsmouth so maybe a joint venture room no worries they all have large halls all players staying in the holiday camp could get messy and sorry dan no kebab shops near any just an idea Posted by sara36dd08
We have to run events in fully GC licenced venues.
Though as tikay already has a red jacket, he'd probably be a reasonable shout for holiday club compere.
Comments
spooky!
nice thread, with some great ideas
Keep them coming
I have chatted with many first time SPT players and seen so many posters on the forum without a clue what they've really won when they win a seat at an SPT.
As a minimum there should be a static page on Sky Poker with basic details about how a normal SPT weekend runs. i.e.
Casino ID required
Casino dress code
Casino address
Friday night - Optional
Explanation that Sky Poker players often arrive Friday evening for the house tournament.
Saturday
Recommend arriving at midday to familiarise yourself
2pm registration
explain SnG side events
explain side house tournaments
approximate finish times
For many players an SPT will be their first ever live event, a little explanation goes a long way.
As players win seats into the SPT they should be PM'd AND emailed at their registered address the above, or a link to the above if it is held online.
Posting the above on the forum less than a week before the event is too little too late.
SnG Satellites
Direct into the ME or into the Semi.
Celebs
Sometimes they have been great, sometimes they only add value to the players they are immediately sat next to. e.g.
Ian Frazer played the ME, stayed for SnG's and played the other side event in the evening.
Kitty Lea came along for the Friday tournament, stayed until late. Played in the Saturday tournament, stayed for the late evening SnG's.
John McCrurick arrived just before the ME on Saturday, bust out, left.
Those that want to enjoy the weekend please invite, those that arrive, bust and are leaving the casino before their chips are pushed to the winner aren't worth inviting.
SnG's
Pre-approved SnG's with the casino Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Often it is hard if not impossible to arrange a SnG and when we do we are paying what seems like a lot to play when I'd assumed that Sky Poker had already paid the casino for use of the facilities. Luton 2010/2011 has always set the benchmark for SnG's. It seems that we pay for a set of chips and deck and can play as many SnG's as we please.
Side Events
Guaranteed Saturday evening side tournament. At Leeds there was to be no side tournament, at about 6pm I heard many players were planning on leaving the casino to go and play an 8pm tournament elsewhere. I spoke to Lisa-Marie who sweet talked the Manager into running a 'SnG' if we could get necessary numbers. We set the buy in, we arranged the structure, we set the chip stack size. In the next hour we got about 50 people to play a tournament the casino said there was no demand for. If this could all be arranged ahead of time it would be great. Basically what I'm saying is that Orford only won the tournament thanks to Lisa-Marie and me. ;-)
Sky Poker Merchandise
Surely Sky Poker would love to have players out and about as free advertising. Create Sky Poker t-shirts, polo-shirts, hoodies. Sell them at cost. I'm sure plenty of people would buy them.
(I will go back and hide in my Bar now!)
If Sky are feeling generous then how about a free goody bag for everyone whos in the tournie? Couple of pens/headed post its/card protector/some stick on badges.
*No, I never saw Lisa-Marie in a TSP hoodie.
Why do people never advertise on the back of something???
Missed marketing opportunity IMO
xx
Going by the dagger stares and two people I spoke to he'd busted it didn't go down quite so well with some. If you've paid £200+ in entry, travel & accomodation then get knocked out by a guy playing bingo because his entry fee has been payed by the organisers I can see how you might feel a little aggrieved.
J/K, I'm just bitter because the one time I went over the top of him he actually had it. Bring him to every SPT please
Sky Poker pays a fee for running the main event NOT for the use of the facilities for free for other events
Aaron writes
SnG's
Pre-approved SnG's with the casino Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Often it is hard if not impossible to arrange a SnG and when we do we are paying what seems like a lot to play when I'd assumed that Sky Poker had already paid the casino for use of the facilities. Luton 2010/2011 has always set the benchmark for SnG's. It seems that we pay for a set of chips and deck and can play as many SnG's as we please.
So much of this is incorrect. Tricky to pre-approve SNGs as so often capacity depends on dealer and player availability
The provision of SNGs is not already paid for
Guaranteed Saturday evening side tournament. At Leeds there was to be no side tournament, at about 6pm I heard many players were planning on leaving the casino to go and play an 8pm tournament elsewhere
Who would you want to guarantee the side tournament?
There was not a side tournament scheduled for Leeds, no
One idea being worked on for next year is a scheduled Saturday evening tournament at each SPT
Sometimes they have been great, sometimes they only add value to the players they are immediately sat next to. e.g.
Ian Frazer played the ME, stayed for SnG's and played the other side event in the evening.
Kitty Lea came along for the Friday tournament, stayed until late. Played in the Saturday tournament, stayed for the late evening SnG's.
John McCrurick arrived just before the ME on Saturday, bust out, left.
Those that want to enjoy the weekend please invite, those that arrive, bust and are leaving the casino before their chips are pushed to the winner aren't worth inviting.
There has already been a move away from non-poker celebs, though this is pressure of numbers as much as anything. With more seats being taken up by competition winners, Priority Club, team sky poker etc then I would not expect that to change for next year
I don't agree that Barry Carter was a disappointing guest. Not least because the coverage he gave the event afterwards was excellent
As a minimum there should be a static page on Sky Poker with basic details about how a normal SPT weekend runs
I can write the page easily, and earlier. This might well be necessary as SPT 2011-12 is looking like a more complex animal. As to static pages and emailing it, I have to bounce that through to people in Sky
Will also look at Stoke. Though it is in Stoke.
Starting at midday is a casino staffing issue, and tricky because of costs/overtime/shift patterns.
It would also turn a 16 hour day for Sky staff into an 18 hour working day which has to be factored in.
At the moment 150 runners produces a winner at about 1am, or 11 hours play
A 7,500 stack would produce a winner about 4am, assuming the same structure
Not that practical for a one day event
Of course, the possibility of some two day events produces the prospect of a deepstack, longer clock structure. I expect this would be popular.
Ireland is a nice thought, but venues in Dublin, say, are even trickier than in Scotland. Most large scale Irish Poker is in hotels.
that Luton comp is superb, but it has to whittle 70 runners tops down to a winner and takes 9 hours to do so
Put 150 runners into that structure......
We have to run events in fully GC licenced venues.
Though as tikay already has a red jacket, he'd probably be a reasonable shout for holiday club compere.
Ales Glasgow comes the closest