[ Outline ] · Standard · Linear+ WSOP Main event UPF meet and greet

[Ryanl_M]

Anyone down just prior to, or playing in, the main event post your names and arrival times and we can try to get together for some drinks and of course some good ol fashoined monkey poker.

Maybe another UPF sanctioned event at Caesars so I can keep my first out streak alive.

Also, if anyone wants to share a 2br suite let me know.

[PBG]

I find Vegas to be hot, crowded and a pain in the arse this time of year. Now add UPF'ers to the mix and you're REALLY asking for it...

Any reports from any of the inmates?

[JPasky]

I find Vegas to be hot, crowded and a pain in the arse this time of year.  Now add UPF'ers to the mix and you're REALLY asking for it...

Any reports from any of the inmates?

My report;

I checked in at the Rio Friday evening and came home on Tuesday morning.

I hate to say it but I was really disappointed with Harrah’s…. Bunch of greedy bastards in my opinion. I won a $175 satellite Friday night…. Sold my chips and never returned to the Amazon Room.

I played in the $550.00 “Deep Stack” tournament Saturday morning at the Venetian. I made an early exit, but what a great tournament (donked-off my stack with AA). Best poker room in LV, great structure, I highly recommend it. If they offer another Deep Stack tournament I will be back.

Sunday morning I played in the $200 tournament at Caesars’. I think there were almost 300 players entered. We ended up doing a 9 player chop at the final table for $4,500.00.

Monday I played in a tournament at Binions. My top 2 ran into a flopped Broadway straight right after the 2nd break. Headed over to the $1-$2 NLH cash game and lost around $300.

Overall had a great time, but Harrah’s can kiss my @$$.


Jeff P

[JLenart]

My report;

I checked in at the Rio Friday evening and came home on Tuesday morning.

I hate to say it but I was really disappointed with Harrah’s…. Bunch of greedy bastards in my opinion. I won a $175 satellite Friday night…. Sold my chips and never returned to the Amazon Room.

Details please.

[JPasky]

Details please.

#1 - I was there for event #49, a $1,500 HLH tournament. They are raking $150 per player. I felt $1,500 rake per table (actually more if you consider the 300+ alternates) was rather excessive. I assume they aren't raking 10% on the main event entry fees??? What is the average life span of tournament table with 3,000 in starting chips???? Maybe 3 hours???

#2 - I felt like I was at some kind of NASCAR event. I'm not sure how many sponsor logos are imprinted into each table??? Between ESPN, Milwukee's Best, The "All-in Degree Moment" etc.... They are making Millions, which leads me back to #1.

#3 - I stop by the offical WSOP gift shop. I see this PLASTIC dealer button with the 2007 WSOP logo on it. I figure I"ll get a couple for my next WSOP league. LOL.....$35.00 each.

#4 - While at the gift shop I ask if they are selling the playing cards that were taken out of play on the first day (the ones that players were mixing up the 6's & 9's). They give me a form to order them through the mail. Don't quote me on this one but I believe they were $44.00 per set PLUS shipping and handling.

I'm sure if I thought about it for I while I could add to the list.

Now I realize they are in business to make money and that is their right. But I would rather take my money else where and I did. I heard a rumor that Doyle Brunson was teamed up with somebody and was working on a deal to buy the WSOP from Harrah's. I hope it is true.

Jeff P

[JLenart]

Not that I'm saying your opinions aren't valid but each of the below can be explained and not all are Harrah's fault.

1. 10% seems to be a high rake but that number is becoming the industry standard. Why? Well, costs to run a tourmanet are going up. Dealers and staff make more money today than a few years ago, supplies and facilities cost more etc. Without raising the rake the organization makes less on the bottom line. I'd love to see a lower rake but the fact of the matter is pure ecconomics. Demand is up so prices follow. I heard Red Rock has raised their rake to 10% up to $5 per hand in their cash games. For Vegas this is high where most places are $3 or $4 max. Expect to see Vegas rakes rise over the next few years. They've been at $5 in Chicago for several years now.

2. I don't know about poker, but in events like marathons or triathlons the event would lose money if it weren't for corporate sponsorship. Let's look at the Accenture Chicago Triathlon. With over 8000 participants and entry fees costing $150 per person thats only a $120,000 budget to run a world class, one day event in a major city. Between city licenses, insurance, emergency and police fees, this money is gone quickly. I don't know about the WSOP but I'd imagine that without sponsorship things would be vastly different. This is no longer an event where 200 or 300 guys get together for some cards.

3 & 4. I'm faily certain that the WSOP is not selling these items but rather is selling a suppliers product which has been officially liscensed. That means the manufacturer pays a fee (probably a fairly large one) to print WSOP on their item and they probably set their own prices. But you're right those prices are outlandish and I would never pay it.

Sorry you had a bad experience.

#1 - I was there for event #49, a $1,500 HLH tournament. They are raking $150 per player. I felt $1,500 rake per table (actually more if you consider the 300+ alternates) was rather excessive. I assume they aren't raking 10% on the main event entry fees??? What is the average life span of tournament table with 3,000 in starting chips???? Maybe 3 hours???

#2 - I felt like I was at some kind of NASCAR event. I'm not sure how many sponsor logos are imprinted into each table??? Between ESPN, Milwukee's Best, The "All-in Degree Moment" etc.... They are making Millions, which leads me back to #1.

#3 - I stop by the offical WSOP gift shop. I see this PLASTIC dealer button with the 2007 WSOP logo on it. I figure I"ll get a couple for my next WSOP league. LOL.....$35.00 each.

#4 - While at the gift shop I ask if they are selling the playing cards that were taken out of play on the first day (the ones that players were mixing up the 6's & 9's). They give me a form to order them through the mail. Don't quote me on this one but I believe they were $44.00 per set PLUS shipping and handling.

I'm sure if I thought about it for I while I could add to the list.

Now I realize they are in business to make money and that is their right. But I would rather take my money else where and I did. I heard a rumor that Doyle Brunson was teamed up with somebody and was working on a deal to buy the WSOP from Harrah's. I hope it is true.

Jeff P

[JPasky]

Sorry you had a bad experience.

Hi John,

Thanks for your opinion..... I very much respect it.

I actually had a wonderful time.... I was just disapointed in the commercialism/greed that has happend to the WSOP. LOL.... no worries, I will prob attend again next year.

Jeff