Tournament Structures

After reading your recent column regarding the length of tournaments, Maureen and I could not agree with you more strongly. We each played 15 events at this year's World Series of Poker, and plan to cut this about in half next year – solely because of the fatigue factor. I guess if 16 more people decide to stop playing in each event, it becomes break-even for the house to stop play at in-the-money, as you suggest.

I think the key point is that the current fatigue factor is a big deterrent for those who play (or could be attracted to play) for recreational/entertainment reasons. Most people who can afford to do so have different ideas of fun than sitting at a poker table for 12 or 14 hours until 2 a.m. or later. Obviously, the poker community wants to attract more of these players.

Sorry for the core dump, but this has been my hot button for the past few weeks or so.

- Bob Feduniak, Las Vegas, NV

A Simple Solution

I have been in the poker industry for 35 years, and I've seen it grow immensely to its present state. I enjoy your magazine and think it's a plus for our business.

We cannot read an issue of any poker publication without an article about abusive players. Everyone writes about how it hurts the industry, although no one has a solution to stop this cancer.

Almost all supervisors, floormen, and poker room managers have come up through the ranks. They all know these abusive players; many are friendly with them for one reason or another and are reluctant to say anything to them. Maybe they are good tokers, or whatever.

A recent article in your magazine stated that the players in the game should help police their games. I disagree; it's not the players' job. When players are constantly out of line, it's only the fault of the management. Players only do what they are allowed to do. When other players see that they are allowed to get out of line in an establishment, the problem mushrooms.

A simple solution, which I have seen work, is a letter from the casino manager or owner to the poker room manager stating that abusive behavior will no longer be tolerated in the facility. This letter should be posted and backed up all the way, even against the "high-profile" types of players. Once the word gets out, the problem will immediately cease. Do not worry about running these people off, as there will be many more to take their places, thankful for their departure. This rule must come from the casino manager or owner to be effective.

Once the problem is put squarely on the poker room manager's shoulders, where it belongs anyway, abusive behavior will be eliminated for good.

- A Veteran

"Playing on the Come"

Jim Brier's recent column, "Playing on the Come," was magnificent. Analyzing those kinds of hands in the way that he does in every issue is great. Thanks, thanks, thanks.

- Rick and Joyce (E-mail)

Good Job!

I'd just like to take a moment to congratulate y'all on a very good magazine. I've been reading it for five years now, and it just keeps getting better. I first started picking Card Player up when I visited a casino every couple of months, but I talked about how much I enjoyed it so much that my daughter subscribed for me and I've enjoyed it ever since. I also like being able to get you on the web; I read the magazine and can't wait for the next issue. I like being able to get tournament results sooner that way, too. I've just begun playing tournaments, so I've got a long way to go, but I like keeping track of the big guns, to see who's hot. Keep up the good work.

- John Wellman, Union City, TN

A Beginner's Viewpoint

This is just a quick note to let you know how informative Card Player is to us beginners.

I played my first live-action hold'em recently, and was blown away by the courteous poker personnel at the Las Vegas Club Casino in Las Vegas.

I learned hold'em playing online for the past year, but never sought out any poker rooms in the Seattle area until now. Yes, I have the "bug."

At the Las Vegas Club, more than once in a session, I saw the manager notice people standing and watching, and he asked them to join in, stating that it was a low-key game and he would even take them to an empty table to show them how to play! The dealers were also outstanding; they even went to get all the players something from McDonalds at about 2 a.m. Low-key, you bet; professional and courteous, always.

And thank you to World Champion Chris Ferguson, who stopped by to meet some of the floor managers at the Las Vegas Club, and even sat in our little $1-$4-$8 game for a couple of hands. He is a class act, as were most of the WSOP players I met.

I'd like to let everyone at Card Player know that we new guys (the live ones) will get better by reading the informative columns and advice of your columnists. Thank you for that.

- Mike Prosser, Seattle, WA