Not sorry that we made a mistake...
I know I have been an agitator. I have pointed out when I felt they could do better and that they had a responsibility to provide a safe environment for all players and staff. I have encouraged them to follow their code of conduct and to enforce same. I know the bottom line is that the players don't really care. In fact, they want players who violate the code of conduct because they want the angry players on the felt so that their money is live.
In addition to having a posted code of conduct, they also need to have a sign clearly posted saying, "If we make a mistake, we won't accept responsibility for the mistake." That is what happened to my partner. He recently finished 6th in a tournament. He was thrilled and I was thrilled for him. The money was immaterial really. He was just happy that he played well. When he went to get his money, the Inspector had mistakenly given the 6th place prize money to the gentleman who finished 7th. A mistake. Things happen. Everyone makes mistakes. My partner was shorted $61. Not a big deal. My partner tipped based on the 6th money prize money. He was told he would get his money the next time he was there.
The next time he was there, the poker management told him that the only way he was to get his money was from the other player who was incorrectly paid too much. That players would be told that they had to pay back the $61 or they wouldn't be allowed to play poker anymore. Quite frankly, that seemed to also victimize the player who was incorrectly paid some extra money. Why should he face such a punishment for their mistake? This poor guy likely doesn't even know that he is flagged at the poker room. That player didn't show up that night and my partner asked what if he decides to never come back? The unprofessional response was that my partner would be SOL. I feel for my partner and I also feel for the guy who mistakenly got a very small amount of money. It was not either or their error. I have seen some pretty objectionable conduct in that poker room that has been let go. No ban. Usually a warning with a laugh attached. An inspector telling the player that they have to give a warning as they are laughing or have their tongue in cheek. Most of the time, the dealers don't even ask the Inspector to come over and enforce bad behavior because they know that will be useless because then the players know that they will complain and make it harder for them to do their job. One time, a few years ago, two players literally stood up and were yelling and threatening each other. I happened to be between them. One of the players saliva dripped on me. The inspector happened to be standing right there and said nothing. I complained later that it was not a safe environment and the inaction gave players the green light for bad behavior. The tape was reviewed and since I wasn't directly involved, there was nothing that could be done.
Anyway, my partner went to the manager on duty at the casino that evening. I told him not to because I didn't want to be targeted by the staff. I also sincerely believe that the Inspector who gave the wrong prize money out made an honest mistake and I didn't want this situation going further because I didn't want the Inspector to face any discipline. My partner said it was the principle. The manager on duty saw his point and went downstairs to try and resolve this. She was unsuccessful because it wasn't the casino money, it was money from the players that they contributed when paid their registration fee. She said she was going to try and resolve it with other managers over the next few days.
We are on day two and we don't expect any resolution.
The casino also raised the tournament registration fee so now the rumour is that this is the biggest admin fee in a Canadian casino for a tournament. On the tournament when the error occurred, for example, the casino raked over $1800 in admin fees. Yet, they can't cover their own mistake of a lousy $61.
The casino also is now limiting rebuys to one/tournament. They don't have a sign saying that. They announce it once when the tournament starts when many players have their headphones on so many are learning about this through word of mouth. It doesn't make much sense because you think they would want more money in the prize pool. You would also think that the casino would have good messaging about the change. They don't. They say they are limiting re-buys because they want to encourage more players to play cash when they get knocked out. The staff should review their corporate values and try to come up with a better spin. Also, when questioned how they would ensure only one re-buy, they admitted that they were going to try but really didn't have a way to track. This is no big deal to me, however it is indicative of a government run poker room that is in trouble. That does affect me. The government depends on revenue from the casinos in order to fund programs in our province.
And, apparently, the casino is unable to do math. I do believe the manager on duty that night who said she was going to send an email to try and address the $61. That is her time, and other managers time reading the email. The staff time alone will be more than $61. So, essentially, the province is losing money already.
Plus, we go to the poker room twice a week. Each time we go, we purchase a meal and often a cocktail. Sometimes two. Ok, usually three. While we were waiting for the manager to try and find out about this, we sat feeding a slot machine. We usually feed the slot machines each time we go to occupy ourselves on breaks on when one of us gets knocked out before the other. It is very short-sighted and lack of leadership that makes the victim of a mistake pay the price. Equally unfair for the other guy.
Like I said, our boycott will mean nothing. It might even increase their business. Good luck.
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