Changes to Manitoba Poker Scene

Change is the only constant in life.  We used to say that the more things change, the more they stay the same.  We rarely hear that one anymore.  Modern technology tells us that our world is now fundamentally changing once every seven years.

Apparently, poker is a part of the universe because changes are happening in the Manitoba poker scene.

A couple of years ago, there were two "thriving" poker rooms at the two major Casinos in Winnipeg.  A smaller casino opened downtown and poker was tried and quickly nixed.  Two smaller casinos outside of the Perimeter have opened.  One had a dedicated poker area which was popular on weekends and then closed.  The other casino is smaller and apparently does get poker going on weekends.

When poker was eliminated from McPhillips Casino, there was great hue and cry that the players would never go to Regent.  Out of all the players who swore they would never go to Regent, I can only think of one player who kept his word.  It is too bad.  He was a very nice man.  We live in Winnipeg.  The casinos are roughly 10 km apart.  It is not an hour extra of a commute.  Most of us drive further to patronize our favourite restaurants. 

Last month, there was no big tournament at the Casino signalling to some that the Casino no longer cared about poker.  Further, after April, the Casino will only have one tournament a week and won't open until supper time from Monday - Thursday.  People's dreams of having 24 hour poker seem to be gone. 

There are several factors that mitigate the reduction.  First of all, regular charity tournaments are becoming more popular.  There is a rumour that another venue will be added in Wednesday making charity tournaments every day of the week day.  Frankly, the venues are all ideal for small tournaments.  It is a great atmosphere and anything contentious is shut down immediately.  The entry price point is less and it attracts those who love poker but feel intimidated by playing at the Casino.  The charity who benefits from the tournament are all worthy and they contribute greatly to the fabric of our Manitoba mosaic.  The Casino actually probably benefits from this charity tournaments.  People test the water so to speak and success leads them to try playing at the Casinos. 

Plus, the charity tournaments are planning several deep stack tournaments in the future.  I already have a ticket to a nice tournament that is scheduled for the Sunday afternoon before Louis Riel Day.  It is supposed to go late into the night so it is good practice.  I hope that they are successful.  There is another one on February 29.  Entry fee includes dinner and scotch tasting.  Another charity is working on a multi-day tournament.  Great for the charities but also takes away business from the Casino.  And, by the way, the companies that run the charity tournaments are committed to growing their businesses.  One of the reasons is they don't make as much as a Tim Horton's franchise.  Perhaps after they are in business for a while, they are seeing a profit, but, as most businesses, they must purchase chips, timers, tables, etc in order to operate.  Plus, they are taking a risk every night that they are in operation.  It is possible that they might not get any players. 

There is also a great rise in home games and home leagues.  Groups of people who get along with each other and can play at whatever stakes they agree upon.  I understand how uncomfortable it is playing with players that you neither respect nor like. However, I have tried to go out of my way to having conversations and I have reduced my personal list of uncomfortable players from about 30 to 3. 

When it comes right down to it, their were probably many factors that led to the proposed reduction in poker.  Any large government corporation spends roughly 80-90% of their budget on human resources.  Slot machines can exist with one attendant for every 30-40 machines to pay out jackpots.  In poker, a dealer is needed for every 9 players plus at least one inspector.  Players often beg to open a table with 5 players.  More tables, more staff needed.  Tournament nights are very labour intensive. Lots of staff needed.  Not to mention staff required when players behave badly and the consequences of each. 

When the bad beat was introduced, the max rake/hand went from $5 to $6.  The extra dollar was needed to pay for the bad beat pot to increase by $500/day.  If you do the math, you can see that poker is not that lucrative for the casino. 

There are not many afternoons that I have the option to play poker.  One happened last week.  I was able to observe one of the factors which likely contributed to management's decision to reduce poker.  The main topic of conversation was how f***ing stupid the management is and this is the worst run casino in the world and also this is all the Premier's fault.  They no nothing about customer service, etc, etc.  I have heard the same speech over and over.  I wonder if the players realize the effect this has on staff.  Their livelihood is dependent on their job.  They are held to high standards and seem to have multiple "coaching conversations."  They have pensions to think about as well as dependents.  Players attacking the casino in front of staff devalues that staff and definitely leads to apathy in their jobs. 

The funny comment that I heard last week was, "I don't think they care about the players at all."  Well, I don't know the veracity of that statement however why would they care about players who do nothing but bitch, moan, and whine.  A regular player, that I have never seen drinking water, complained at length that the water had not been changed from the previous day.  Water, which is tasteless, colourless, and odourless.  I'm sorry most of us can't get behind that.  Just anything to complain.  It is tiring.  I don't agree with many situations or circumstances and when I do, I try to address it in a respectful manner.  And, I may not get my way very often, but I always feel heard and respected back.  It is the old saying, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. 

I also think the Casino management is sending a clear message to the players.  They obviously want poker to succeed.  Why else would they remodel and have a huge dedicated poker room?  However, I think the message they want to send is that they don't really need us.  The Casino would go without poker.  I have checked our Charter of Rights and Freedoms and no where is playing poker a constitutional right.  I feel very sorry for the staff who may be affected by the reduction in hours and the elimination of one tournament. 

Things change constantly.  We don't know what the future holds.  There is one thing for sure when it comes to poker at the Casino.  I think the next move is up to the players.  If we can ensure profits that are consistent with the staffing levels required, I am sure the Casino would love the game to grow.  We all need to think of the long-term consequences of our actions.