Tuesday, January 15, 2008

New tournament policy for latecomers

We have a new policy at Wall Street Poker, starting with the next tourney we have. Thanks to the Rooster for suggesting it.

The issue we're trying to resolve revolves around latecomers to the tourney. In short, people came late to the tourneys. So many people, as a matter of fact, that I often have only 3 or 4 at 7:15 when we have a full table scheduled. It feels unfair to me to start an 11 person tourney with 3 or 4 so I generally wait a bit for more people to show up. You can guess what happen then. The time slips to 7:30 and we have a longer tourney and then all of a sudden it's midnight and we're still playing the second tourney. What's worse is that people come to see this as the norm so they don't show up until 7:30 because they know they won't be penalized!

This is ending. Now. As of this day forward, 7PM start times, as called for by the invitation, will be enforced in the following manner:

All tournaments will start with cards IN THE AIR at 7:15PM. The 15 minutes in-between will be used to collect buy-ins, clean the apt., etc... Tournaments will start regardless of the number of participants. For every 15 minutes you are late from this point onwards, an extra 100 in chips will be removed from your stack and taken off the table, in addition to any blinds you may be sitting through.

I hope the extra penalization will be the incentive people need to respect the players who *do* show up on time.

If you feel this is too draconian, by all means let's hear what you have to say.

17 comments:

taetopia said...

I think that's a great idea. I hope that works out.

Walnuts said...

Ironic that the Rooster who was a no show at least twice is now setting policy for latecomers.

Alceste said...

Policy makes a lot of sense. Maybe put it in the evites too for the non-readers of the blog?

BWoP said...

Good idea.

Queen of the Mountain said...

I don't think that is necessary for people who are late. The tournament should start on time regardless of who is in attendance. Who cares if someone ends up being 45 minutes late- it is their loss. The penalty is already in place- losing chips in the blinds, the way all tourneys work.

The problem is with the no-shows and the late cancels (canceling within 2 hours of the tourney start) who leave the game short permanently. I propose a one warning system for those ultra, inconsiderate flakoids. If you late cancel /no show, you get one warning. If you do it again, you are off the list.

Jamie said...

Actually, Queen, people who come late inconvience everybody, not just themselves. Even if we ignore the fact that starting an 11 handed tourney with 4 players is a very different game.

Let me put it another way. When the tourney starts, and 5 people arrive late, I personally have to interrupt my own tourney play to collect their money and seat them. This interrupts my own enjoyment, which I think you'll agree, is reason enough to penalize people!

Queen of the Mountain said...

I personally don't care if people come late and we start 4 handed. Just more money available for less people. I can understand why you wouldn't like it if you are playing and also administrating.

I think you should address the problem of cancels and no shows.

Jamie said...

I'd love to address the problem of late cancels and no-shows, if someone could come up with a reasonable solution to the problem. I personally don't think a reasonable and effective solution exists, but I'm willing to hear suggestions.

Two strikes and you're out is NOT a reasonable suggestion. People have these things called *lives* and sometimes that thing gets in the way. I'm not going to kick someone out of the league, causing animosity and anger, because they got sick once too often or because their babysitter flaked out on them or because they get held late at work once more.

These are all excuses I've heard and are all legitimate in my eyes. I'm still waiting for someone to come up with a system that would prevent sickness.

Abbie said...

I know this has been kicked around a bit, but how about paying in advance through PayPal? That might take care of the no-shows.

Also, Jamie, update the stats! :-)

Alceste said...

Also, Jamie, update the stats! :-)

Assuming LJ plays enough games, it's going to be fun to see you two battle it out for first if you both keep cashing in almost every event you play.

Abbie said...

Nice try, Alceste; but I think you're the one to watch out for.

Alceste said...

Thanks, but if I were a bookmaker, I think I'd put me at 4th right now behind you, LJ and Mary. You're all more consistent and less opponent-dependent. We shall see how it plays out though. :)

Karol said...

Why not just blind people down? Why the extra take? Won't that just encourage people to not show up at all if they're running late?

taetopia said...

Eeks. Karol has a good point too.

Anonymous said...

To address the no-show, late cancel phenomenon...

It might be too much of an admin overhead. Not even sure if evite can accommodate such a scheme. It's a slight variation to Abbie & Queen's suggestion. But, here goes:

You employ the 2-strike, and on the third, they're "out" policy. However, to get back into the WSP's graces, they need to PayPal their entry fees in advance for the next 3 sessions, and upon doing so, they get a reprieve.

Karol's point is right-on for the late players. That policy will likely be a catalyst for no-shows. But, coupled with the policy above, that should wittle down the invite list to what it should be.

Walnuts said...

Darko - I have the solution. Please post the picture of the 4 horses!

Jamie said...

Grrr. I hate it when Karol is right. Wendy too. Women suck. :-(

Ok, Ok. All of your points have been duly noted and I'll do some thinking about it over the weekend. Darko has a point in that what we're really trying to avoid here is not late-comers so much as it is no-shows. I'll have to do some more brain churning.