Dutch News

Some Election Advice

Insiders predict the end of poker hype in Holland to occur by the end of this year. I can tell you one thing: it can hardly become any more popular. As a travelling writer and player who often stays abroad for a long time, I was once again struck by the interest that now invariably follows the mentioning of my hobby and livelihood when I'm back in the homeland. Perfect strangers are coming up to me at parties and asking me for advice on how to play small pairs in early position, that type of thing. As I am still not quite used to poker strategy as a topic of conversation at parties, let alone being regarded as an expert in the topic, I am always surprised and give my view on the matter. Then I ignore the disappointed looks on their faces and focus again on my beer and on the girl I was chatting up and I feel important and special. What a life.

The rise of poker strategy as a conversation topic at social events, whether it be parties, the water cooler at work, or the changing room at the football club, is in many ways caused by the abundance of poker shows on television. RTL is airing two new poker shows these months, with similar plots; the common goal seems to be to determine who is the best poker player in the Netherlands, but one series lets the contestants qualify online, the other works with live qualification rounds. The results of RTL's search for the best Dutch player might be slightly skewed as no entry fee is asked, and no prize money or other rewards are being paid for either tournament but for the "'eternal fame and glory." It will probably make for a bit of good television, if only to see which well-intentioned but possibly under-skilled amateur will call him- or herself "The Dutch Star of Poker" for the next few months. It's a sign of the popularity of poker that more than 50,000 Dutch people attempted to qualify on PokerStars for a live event with no prizes.

The live qualifications, in the mean time, took place in bars all over the country. 60 bars hosted a series of poker tournaments for 80 players each -- 4,800 attempts for televised poker fame -- and in the end 36 players will get filmed as they play for the title of "Poker Champion of the Netherlands." Again, there is no prize money or other rewards. One could ask: Is RTL stretching the credibility of poker as a sport, as they invent increasingly stupid formats around the game while riding the wave of popularity? And then one could answer: Yes, definitely. But in a country where poker is seen as a noxious sin by some of our leaders, there is probably no harm in showing them the fun, innocent side of poker.

As the Dutch government bears down on commercial poker tournaments outside Holland Casino, some politicians take the opportunity to gain some popularity by taking the side of the small recreational player. Fred Teeven of the liberal party VVD has taken it upon himself to make a stand for the small tournaments and cash games that are being held in bars, pubs and sports clubs. The organisers of these events generally takes a small rake, which obviously infuriates Holland Casino as that is the only organisation in the Netherlands that is allowed to make money on gambling. Teeven is all for legalising and regulation instead of monopolisation and one-sided promotion -- see previous Dutch News for a description of Dutch "gambling addiction prevention." Teeven seems to be rather interested in the subject, as he was reported to want to play in both legal and illegal tournaments to find out exactly what all the fuss is about. Teeven, a rare example in Dutch politics, understands that there is very little harm in small semi-commercial games in bars. In fact, he argues, it could help prevent the more harmful binge drinking that young Dutch people often take part in before going out at night.

In the mean time, European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has issued a final warning against the Dutch government for taking discriminatory and protectionist measures in favour of the state-owned Holland Casino, saying that he will take them to the European Court of Justice like he has done to Sweden and Germany, if the situation remains the same. Much to the relief and joy of all poker players in the Netherlands, it is becoming clear that the monopoly will not remain. The question is only how long the Dutch government can stall the European Union while installing a proper regulation and control system.

In other and completely unrelated news, Rob Hollink has become the first Dutch player to join the Full Tilt Pro Team. He had been playing for the Dutch hotels.nl team up to now -- they separated amicably -- and will from now on represent Full Tilt at the tournaments he plays.

Anthon-Pieter Wink is a freelance writer who started writing at www.pokerinfo.nl.