Tournament Overlap

This topic is so important that Jeff Shulman and Steve Radulovich, who normally allow me only one-third of a page, said that I could run longer this time.

Tournament players are screaming that Jack Binion's World Poker Open is "coming over" the Reno Hilton's World Poker Challenge in January. They are saying that it is not fair because the Reno Hilton was first with its tournament. And besides, they are saying, since both fields will be smaller and there is saturation, it is not good for poker.

The old questions along the line of why can't we work together seemed to be the chorus being sung. Originally, I joined in the outcry. I have since changed my mind. In fact, allow me to be the first to say that I think it may actually be good for poker.

Even in the beginning, I tried to squelch the idea of "they can't do that." Of course they can, it is simple American competition. But we are talking about what is good for poker here.

For starters, tournaments are so popular that our calendars are full when it comes to tournament dates. A tournament junkie could get his fill these days without leaving Southern California, let alone traveling up to the Bay Area or over to Reno or Las Vegas. Therefore, every new tournament now conflicts with another.

The Four Queens has already booked more than 200 rooms for its September tournament, and is quickly running out of space. Obviously, there is still demand for new tournaments.

On top of that, foreign travel is adding another dimension as we go out of the country and others come here. Even during the Legends of Poker tournament (one of my favorite tournaments) in August at The Bicycle Casino, many others and I will be traveling for a week to Casinos Europa in Costa Rica for its fabulous tournament.

Besides California, at the end of the year, both Foxwoods and perhaps the Taj Mahal will have major tournaments, yet Card Player Cruises will have its first Poker World Cup at Sea, and Bonnie Damiano will be hosting a marvelous new tournament in Aruba, which also promises to be a great time for all and is filling up fast.

So, how is all of this good?

For starters, it shows once again that even with all of our growing pains, the popularity and growth of poker that has taken place in the last several years is enabling this to take place.

Contrary to what some of us who are in the community full time remember, not all of us are free to travel all over whenever we please just to play in a tournament. It is very cool that players can take time off almost at random and find a good tournament without having to fly across the country to get to it.

Best of all, there is competition, that great democratic economic driving force that keeps improving things for the consumer. Players often complain about entry fees, comps, smoking, room rates, dealers, structure, decisions, and everything else under the sun. Well, guess what? Even if you have to play in tournaments because that is how you make your living, now you have more of a choice.

There is no doubt in my mind that so many tournaments became nonsmoking seemingly overnight because of competition. Nonsmokers made it clear that they would not tolerate smoking now that there is a choice of tournaments available.

In Los Angeles alone, The Bicycle Casino will have a $500,000 freeroll tournament, and Commerce Casino will have two tournament events in February that will guarantee $1 million in prize money.

Even online poker is getting into the act. PartyPoker.com will host a tournament on a Card Player Cruise that will guarantee a $1 million first prize, and players can qualify for it in $22 satellites. On top of that, you can even get your first satellite for free.

Let me guarantee all of you that competition has created this environment. So, if two properties want to go head-to-head to compete for your business, feel free to watch them duke it out, and patronize the one that works best for you.

T.J. Cloutier, the world's most successful tournament player, has joined CardPlayer.com. He will be working closely with us to help us be certain that our poker content is second to none on the Internet. Cloutier said, "I have never chosen to be affiliated with any Internet poker organization previously, but I feel that CardPlayer.com will provide all of the important elements to help the poker industry grow."

Rich Korbin, a well-known, well-liked gold bracelet winner at this year's World Series will be CardPlayer.com's liaison with the online community, including answering questions on RGP about Card Player's positions about various matters.

Over the last several months, Rich has increased his role with Card Player magazine as an account executive representing Card Player in the Midwest and the Rocky Mountain area. He will represent CardPlayer.com as well.

We are delighted to have T.J. and Rich on board.

Go to www.cardplayer.com to get your free satellite.