And Just Like That ..... I Talk About Poker

 

I would like to thank the majority of my loyal fans for asking me to write about poker.  It means so much to me to be asked.  Seriously, thanks to both of you.  

People have asked me what is the best poker advice that you have ever received?  Well, I have received a lot of great advice but the best one has been "stare at your crotch for at least two minutes before making any move."  Thanks to Mike Postle for that one.  Although that advice hasn't worked out as well for me as it did for him.  Although, I guess in the long run, it didn't work out so well for him.  During the pandemic, poker fans were looking for stories to follow and the Mike Postle alleged cheating scandal captured our attention.  With every scandal, there is some good that emerges.  In this case, it is the rise of popularity of Veronica Brill.  I have to say that I like that a Canadian girl has become the resident Poker Superhero.  I am jealous that she is so beautiful.  What I really like about Veronica Brill is that she is honest about her life and the highs/lows of poker and is much of a cautionary tale as it is an inspiring one.  

But, what has happened in Manitoba?  Poker cancelled at Winnipeg Casinos.  Players are asking how long and when they will be re-opening.  The answer is perhaps 2030 but don't bet on it.  I hear many players have put their faith in a certain useless idiot that they think has "pull" and will get the Casinos of Winnipeg to change their mind.  When I was told the identity of this particular useless idiot, I laughed till I cried.  Seriously, the best joke I have heard in a while.  

Apparently, closing poker was more than a financial decision for the casino.  Some say the decision was purely black and white because their profit margin on poker made it an unattractive line of business.  Personally, I think the casino has been looking for reasons to close the poker room for a while.  There is a big part of me that understands this.  Frankly, I was warning players for years that their conduct would eventually lead to the demise of poker in Manitoba.  I was told that I didn't know what I was talking about and they would never be allowed to close poker.  I kept telling them that the Casinos of Winnipeg is a private corporation and can do whatever they want.  They don't answer to poker players; they answer to LGCA.  I kept telling poker players that constantly telling all dealers, inspectors, and management how stupid they were and how they didn't understand customer service was not a winning strategy.  Poker cost the casino lots of money in time and energy dealing with poker and poker players outside of poker.  Discipline, appeals, and dealing with pains in their asses.  I say this as one of the pains in the asses that they had to deal with.  I am sure the management was quite happy not to have the headache that was poker.  I am immensely sad about this decision, but, being sad is not going to change it.  We have to move on.  

Now, we have charity poker trying to fill the void left by the closing of the poker room at Club Regent.  Frankly, I worry about Northern Stars Poker Tour.  They are trying to respond to every suggestion and request.  They are trying to have bigger tournaments on a regular basis.  They are making changes to try and grow the game.  I worry that they are going to burn out.  Every change or big tournament requires them to go to LGCA and submit an application,  It is not a simple or quick process.  They are still trying to please poker players even though the evidence suggests that this is impossible.  

I belong to a very small home league.  We play purely for fun and fellowship.  Recently, I attended my first game in over two years.  It was glorious.  Catching up with friends that I hadn't seen for two years.  Enjoying a wonderful spread by the best hostess ever.  Laughing so hard that my ribs were sore the next day.  Watching a friend who had consumed some holiday cheer give financial advice to two financial planners.  They loved it.  People are constantly hitting them up for free advice so they were enjoying the reverse situation.  Apparently, some cards flew in the air.  If this experience is also your level of involvement with poker, then you are blessed.  I really love my "River Club" now entering Season 12.  A bunch of great people whose friendships I cherish.  

If you love poker and still have found a way post Casino closing to enjoy it, here is my advice.  Don't take it for granted.  It can disappear.  Poker is not a right that is guaranteed in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  Just don't take it for granted and appreciate what you have.  It can disappear.  

And, as one of my illustrious gal pals is fond of saying, may the flop be with you.  

Comments

  1. Captain Mike13 December 2021 at 15:45

    Adeline and I thank you for your concern about us at Northern Stars Poker and you are right in saying that we are trying to take up some of the slack left by the closure of live poker at the Casinos of Winnipeg.
    We are now running smaller tournaments Monday through Friday evenings and one Saturday per month for a deep stack $100 tournament. We have been approached by other charities to run more large tournaments but that will be on a much less frequent basis, perhaps once every three months.
    One thing that will not change is the quality of the tournaments that we run. We made the decision nearly 15 years ago to run our tournaments under rules consistent with the main poker providers in the world and use the rules published by the Poker Tournament Directors Association, with additional rules mandated by the LCGA, as our "bible". These are the same rules that form the basis for the World Series of Poker, the World Poker Tour, and hundreds of poker rooms around the world.
    Many of the complaints that we hear from players concern rules mandated by the LGCA. We have had several discussions with their licensing department with no success so if you want a re-entry tournament, the ability to use cell phones or listen to music at the table, bounty tournaments, dealer appreciation add-ons, or other common variations of poker please discuss the issues directly with the LGCA.
    Thank you to all our supporters and players. In the meanwhile you and your friends are invited to check out our FB page Northern Stars Poker Tour to find locations and timings of our tournaments.


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