2009 World Poker Finals Structure

I am no sociology expert, but it is strange how one person's positive attitude can transform something... and in my case, a poker table full of people.

In my last blog, I spoke about how certain people in a certain higher stakes game were less than nice. Well, one person managed to change this person and everyone else's attitude from a rude and pompous one to one of gratitude, kindness and light-hearted jokes... a complete 180 from what this table has become to be known for.

This guy managed to do all this by simply being funny. Making jokes that were able to include everyone at the table, including the dealers. He actually turned the game human. I was no longer the robot and the other players were no longer the enemies. He made poker, at a high stakes level, fun and not a grind... imagine that.

I wish I made enough money as a dealer to hire a comic to follow me from table to table. It benefits not only my enjoyment and efficiency in a game, but also overall customer satisfaction. If every poker game equated to having the kind of fun that made you forget about the money you have on the line the room itself would be in a lot better shape.

Speaking of fun, The World Poker Finals starts next Monday.

There seems to be a lot of negative comments about the schedule in the forums. I guess most people's frustration is a lack of NLHE tournaments fitting into a Friday and Saturday start.

Maybe I am wrong in my analysis, as I really lack the experience to make judgement... but I think the way the schedule is set up is what fit the best for business, and not necessarily best for tournament circuit grinders or tourists. Whether I agree or don't is irrelevant, but it seems to be a plan that cuts out long-term goals for short-term success... which I guess is when Foxwoods needs help the most.

Here is a copy of the schedule...

http://www.foxwoods.com/uploadedFiles/Gaming/Poker/FWPF/WPF%202009%20Brochure%20Schedule%20rev%20color.pdf

My thinking is that they eliminated Saturday NLHE tournaments for two simple reasons...

1. This leaves that day open for more satellite entrants, thus more overall player participation in the 10k main event.

2. Saturday's is a busy day for poker room NLHE cash games, and perhaps having a smaller buy-in NL tournament that day might take away tables from the cash game participation. Not only that but there is only one room for tournament use, and with that kind of limited space the overflow from the tournament room could also hinder the ability to run more cash tables. And let's be honest cash games will bring a lot more revenue than the juice from a tournament.

The other concern I have seen in the forums is the addition of antes for the first-ever PLO tournament Foxwoods has put on.

I am excited about the event, but I am too am concerned about the antes. I think it just creates a different element to the game. Instead of 3.5x'ing, as a max, for the open-raise... it can now be as much as 4.75x, depending on the number of players at the table and ante size in relation to the blind. I know most people will probably stray away from pot-sized open-raises, but there are just people out there who are pot-bet happy... and depending on their thinking for future streets, may do it, to be able to get more money in on those streets.

I guess my other concern is the math. I, as a dealer, normally have pot and re-pot figured out in my head pre-flop in order to keep the game moving quicker... but it becomes more work when you add antes. I don't mean to bring my fellow co-workers down, but there are just some people that doing the math in PLO is tough enough, where they don't need another element added to make it even more difficult. I mean, I remember at the WSOP we ran mainly 5/5 PL games to make it easier for the dealers... if that kind of concession has to be made for the dealers at the WSOP than I don't think making it harder for dealers that generally never deal PLO is a wise idea.

Here is a copy of the structure for the event...

http://www.foxwoods.com/uploadedFiles/Gaming/Poker/FWPF/2009/15-$400%20Pot%20Limit%20Omaha%20High%2011-2-09.pdf

A couple of other things that I felt were odd...

- The limit tournaments starting with the same stack size in relation to the buy-in as the NLHE games and same blind structure (with the exception of having two 100-200 levels).

- Having t5 chips in the stud variation and mix game events, for the purpose of antes and lower bring-in's at the start of the event.

- Having antes for PLO but no antes for the Omaha 8 events.

*Sure, I realize you usually have antes for neither. But if you didn't think having it for one, for what seems to be the purpose of moving the tournament faster, was not strange... than why not added to the other who already has a a much slower pace of play, for both the way the game is played and the structure.

- Having a $400 dollar buy-in PLO event sandwiched between a 2.5k and 5k NL and on a Monday at 11 AM.

* The weekend regular will be gone and the lower-limit grinders usually have another job and would not be able to make a 11 AM start time. The tournament circuit regular I don't think will find it relatively valuable to play a 400 dollar buy-in tournament with such a little amount of players. If I was the tournament director I would have done a 1k entry-fee with a 5PM start on that Monday... or if not the same buy-in with a 5PM start on 10/31, the same day as the ladies event (there will not be enough participation with both to fill the room), and then fill-in the gap for Monday with a 2.5k Heads-Up NL tournament ( that would go fast enough to end the same day, with a 11 AM start, and not take away any runners from the next day's 5k).

Here is the main page where you can find the structure for any of the events, satellite information, hotel information and more...

http://www.foxwoods.com/fwpf.aspx

I am really excited about the start of the tournament and the fact that I am getting 5 days a week worth of work because of it! Hope to see some of you there.

Joao

Looking Into Dealing In Jail

It is strange, but it seems I often will have dreams about dealing, if I attempt to sleep after my shift.

It is usually centered around me being in the box, and at some point figuring out that I am dreaming. From there all kinds of fun and fucked up things happen. I will pitch cards at people's faces, muck cards in the midst of big pots on purpose, etc etc.

There are not many people or incidences that would make me want to do those things. In general, most people make me enjoy my job... but there are those few that you are just baffled by.

I've got passed the point of judging people by what they do or don't tip me. It seems insincere, as that is the main way my income is derived, but it is the truth. What I can't get passed are those that berate you for nothing.

We are all humans, but I can still see the side of a player getting frustrated or even pissed about a mistake that cost them money. Unfortunately though, that is not the only time players talk to you in a manner that civilized people wouldn't talk to their dogs with.

I was dealing in a relatively big game the other day at work; nothing I have not done before, but I was still a little nervous, as it was the biggest game I dealt at Foxwoods. What made me the most nervous about it all is that both my roommate and another guy I got the job with ( with 8 years of experience ) got booted off the table for being new dealers to the house by the players.

I am not sure why they put me there in the first place if they knew the players would be irritated, but they did.

I get to the table and the first thing out of seat 8's mouth is... " Are you a new dealer???". I, feeling like I need to show them that they are wrong about their general attitude, said " Yes! But I have dealt games of his size before and think I can do a good job for you guys. Let me deal a few hands and if you don't feel I am good enough feel free to request a new dealer."

I deal several hands without a hitch and then...

I am dealing a stud 8/b hand and in the process knock off the lamers that I am using to count which hand we are on into my well. Before the hand is even over seat 8 immediately yells, "How are you counting the hands? Who here is counting because the dealer is not!". I replied with, "Sir, we are on the third hand of stud high-low 8 or better. I accidentally knocked down the lamers and will fix them here in a second.". He gets up from his seat moaning and groaning, but then sits back down.

Very next hand, one of my floor supervisors come by and seat 8 quickly starts trying to find something wrong. So what does he do... he lies! He says to the floor the following... "This dealer told us it is his first time dealing this game and you are sticking him in here?!", I quickly respond with "Sir, I have dealt this game before. I have dealt crazy poker games you probably have never even heard of or want to". Perhaps that was not the right line to go with, but his lie really irritated me to no end.

As I leave the table he says " You should deal in jail!". What does that even mean? Honestly dealing in jail would be better than dealing to players like that. I don't know if he was stuck and was just looking for someone to take his anger out on or if his wife doesn't make love to him anymore and he is pissed about it, who knows!

I should probably not write about this, as there are foxwoods players that read this, but people need to know that treating dealers like inept monkeys, for no reason, only makes the overall game play worse. If the dealer is comfortable he will more than likely run a smooth game... make him nervous or upset, that is when the mistakes or dealer tricks of retaliation start coming into affect.

Treat us dealers well, because for a half hour we are dealing with your money. I don't know about any of you, but I want people that handle my money to be on my good side!

My image kind of looks like the player, for any of you who are curious as to who it was.

Speaking of people who treat dealers poorly... well, the staff at http://www.pokerrroad.com/ do the opposite of that (especially Barry Greenstein and Gavin Smith). Support that site!

Not for this http://www.pokerroad.com/blogfessional/jeff-madsen/posts/the-madsen-rap-driving-and-thriving, but for everything else.

Also, you can now follow me on twitter at...

http://twitter.com/foxwoodsdealer

Joao

Mix It Up at Foxwoods, ONE TIME!

So it has been about a minute since I last wrote on here. I guess it would have to be something to due with the fact that I only work and sleep. Rough life huh?

I think I have decided that my favorite people in the poker room have to be the omaha 8/b players. I don't know of any them by name or think they are particularly better players or even more friendly. I just really enjoy them because they seem to be the only one's open-minded enough to attempt to start mixed games... or at least they are the only ones to discuss it.

I like them enough where I was concentrated merely on what my thoughts were about how they should go about getting these games running, and which one's I thought were to their interest. Because of this I almost mucked the winning high hand in a pot and was furious at myself for it.

Honestly, I think a mid-stakes 7-game mix would actually run rather frequently, HORSE + NLHE and PLO, if promoted enough. Something like a 10-20 for the limit games and 2/5 for the big bet games. The limit mix game players would have a big enough edge in the limit games to make it worth their while to play against the big bet guys. The stud players should want to play because they will have a decent edge in the three stud-discipline games and probably feel comfortable enough playing lhe. The big bet guys will believe they have enough of an edge in the two big bet games to generate enough money from those to make up their lack of competence in others.

Honestly, I think the limit game players would clean up shop at first. That is why a 5/10 NLHE player, with minimal win rates, should consider losing a little at first in this game. It will be worth their while to be able to push their bigger edge in a big bet game enough to increase their win rate, once they manage to become more aware of how to play the limit games. Because by that time the limit players will just believe they are running bad, since they enjoyed a good run. And to be honest those guys have enough money to dump off for long enough to make the game run for a while.

I think it would be a pretty good weekday morning/afternoon game, when the amount of dead money in their games of choice might be a little more dry or might not be running at all. This will allow for the perception that there are now fish in the water for their games and hopefully you know the other games enough to rack up.

Maybe this is not a good idea or wouldn't run frequently... who knows! All I know is that I want to deal it. Put me in that game all day long and I would not complain. I just don't like dealing the same game for 8 hours, it bores me.

Also, I would like for people to start spreading some form of triple draw, even if in mix games. The game is starting to get a lot more popular, and I understand why. It is a game of some fun complexity and takes a lot of discipline.

Hopefully there are foxwoods players reading this that have interest.

If you are clueless but would like some tips, look at this...

http://www.27tripledraw.net/27-triple-draw.php

As for my picture, this has to be one nutty mix game. This is a sign for a game ran at the Imperial Palace. Crazy degenerates over there apparently.

I think online poker being legalized and regulated seems more promising. I think this would be excellent for everyone in the industry.

Here is a recent strategy summary for what the PPA and legislators hope to accomplish in the coming months...

http://www.pokernews.com/news/2009/09/a-new-strategy-for-the-poker-players-alliance-7305.htm

And here is a summary of all current and previous Federal Legislation affecting Online Poker...

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/152/fight-poker-rights-ppa/federal-online-poker-gaming-legislation-history-575712/

Joao

My Opinion from the Passenger Seat

There was only person that I acknowledged at the WSOP this summer. Only one person out of endless pros that I said "I respect you". This person doesn't have tons of accolades or plays for hundreds of thousands. It was Bart Hanson. He does a podcast on deucescracked.com called Deuce Plays. I just think it is well done and definitely more than just something to pass the time.

The latest episode he had a co-host named Limon. Limon and Bart are both live NLHE cash game pros from California. They touched up on a lot of key concepts for mid-stakes No-Limit that I think are very valuable to low-limit live games as well.

One component they touched up on, that I was in the midst of writing about on here is table selection...

As a dealer, the question I mainly get asked is "have you ever dealt a Royal Flush?" or "Have you ever dealt to any pros?". The answers are yes and yes, but they don't make for good conversation.

I would like to be once asked what I think is the biggest mistake I see players make in live poker. I can see why I am not asked... most dealers just are not observant enough and frankly are piss poor poker players. I tend to think I am pretty poor player, but with the want/desire to get better; therefore, I have my opinions on what people do poorly.

And the thing I think most people do poorly is selecting the table they will play their session on...

The other night I was dealing a rotation of 3 different 1/2 NLHE tables. All of them playing significantly different. One was especially different, in that the table was full of regulars. Why? I don't think they are regulars just for a good time and to see each other. If they are... well, great... but I just don't see it. They are mostly there in the hopes that they can make a little extra money. I am sure none of these guys are doing it for a living, as the win rate in that game cannot be good enough to make a decent living.

If I was a regular I would be loving the fact these guys want to play together (or at least seem to), more fish for me to deal with. Not that these guys were amazing players (though one of them really did impress me), but there was such inferior talent at these other tables that they should have spread out. I can guarantee you that if you are a 1/2 or 2/5 player at Foxwoods and you take your time carefully to scope out he table you want to be playing your session on you will fare out a lot better. Especially since this is a concept that seems even the better players for the games seem to not be paying attention to.

You can listen to Deuce Plays here....

http://www.deucescracked.com/podcasts/deuceplays

Listen to the episode 37 if you are a live player. Hell, listen to all of them.

Also, you can read my previous blog, which was about my 2009 WSOP dealing experience here...

http://wsopdealing.blogspot.com/

I have been told that I cannot make any posts promoting Foxwoods on 2+2 anymore. Even though I feel I was not trying to promote players to play there I will oblige. Therefore, if you like this blog... bookmark it.

Also, I have been told that a HORSE game will be attempted to run every Wednesday and Saturday nights. Since, I do love dealing this game... I will go ahead and "promote" that.

To end it all...

I am curious as to if we will have concrete rules and procedures for the WPT events, or if it will just be the basic rules!

For those of you that are confused as to why we don't have gaming procedures and rules on our website...I think our, and most other card rooms, basic rules are for the most part written in Robert's Rules, listed here...

http://www.homepokertourney.com/roberts-rules-of-poker.htm

Joao

Bing Blang Blaow

I don't know how a brother can get more working days, but I sure do need them.

The week after next I have only two scheduled days. It is desperation time, maybe I will offer someone money for their days.

Now, I realize I was told September is essentially one of the slowest months of the year for poker around here, but I did not move from Florida to be late on my bills... I could easily just do that back at home.

Where I am from and have dealt in the past, there was a great deal of poker room competition; so much so that the stress behind it was actually pretty relaxed. I mean, it was what it was. Here though, since only Foxwoods and Mohegan hold exclusivity to gaming in the state you can feel the tension in the air.

I have not been here long enough to know who is winning, but to my advantage I would like Foxwoods to be winning now and forever.

From what I do know is that Foxwoods has better start becoming the innovator in the field and not the follower. I realize Foxwoods has done quite a few things first, and done quite a few things better... but all I seem to hear about are the new promotions or marketing that Mohegan has to offer. In this economy one cannot afford to fall behind.

Casino players are fickle people, but also loyal people. They will leave you for a better offer, but if two places offer the same they will continue to go where they feel comfortable.

I am excited about the progressive bad beat jackpot we will be offering, but not excited about how limited we will make it. Back at home the players that most came out for the bad beat jackpot were the regular stud players... they would play any hand to 7th that had any potential bad beat possibility. They in turn created a good deal of rake for the casinos and kept many tables going. Well, apparently we will not be offering the progressive to stud games; as a matter of fact, it will only be offered in limit hold 'em games up to 10/20 and 1/2 NLHE. I hope there is enough request from other games that we will be offering to practically every game in the house.

If there is anyone reading this blog that needed information on how to register for the World Poker Finals, here it is...

Registration at Foxwoods will only be offered one day prior to the first event, which is on the 19th. But online registration at http://www.ptseats.com/ are offered starting 30 days prior to the event itself.

You can also find a copy of the schedule at... http://www.worldpokertour.com/Shared/Tournaments/Seasons/2009-2010/Foxwoods_World_Poker_Finals.aspx

Also, here you can find a copy of the Acts and satellites running for events and hotel information at...

http://www.foxwoods.com/fwpf.aspx

And for those of you that have not seen te bing blang blaow video, that my title and picture is tributed too, here it is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IphR3A64VI

See you at the woods,

Joao

Welcome to The Woods

I didn't know the Internet consumed my life so much, until I was without it for over a week.

I am living in a hotel until I can find a place that fits my budget. It's a one bedroom palace with a mini-fridge and a shitty Internet connection, not fun.

I have been dealing at Foxwoods for close to two weeks now. I have a lot of fun dealing, but it has been hard to adjust. I am used to living in a bigger city, with friends and/or family, and generally just knowing what their is to do.

I am living in a town right now called Groton. I've done a lot of walking around and I have not seen too much that appeals me. I am waiting for the next couple of paychecks so I can go have some fun at a big city, where I know some people, like Boston or NYC.

I remember in the movie Rounders there being a quote that said "The nicer the person the worse the card player".... well, the people at foxwoods are in general real sweethearts. I think I have dealt about just every game in the room and I have been having a lot of fun. I have not got to know most of the regulars yet, so for the most part I have been staying quiet, but happy to be in the saddle again.

The most fun table so far, I would have to say, was the 8/16 HORSE game. It is my understanding that HORSE is spread only a handful of times a year, and I even see that there is HOSE event as opposed to HORSE in the Foxwoods Poker Classic schedule. It is a real shame, because I really like dealing Razz. Even though it is dealt practically the same as Stud Hi, with the exception of opener procedures, I just think it is more fun following along because hands are so easily polarized.

I guess all in all the people here just don't enjoy lowball games, as I have not seen triple draw, razz or badugi. Maybe interest will spark up in the fututre as 2-7 triple draw is becoming more and more popular.

The only table I have seen where the play seemed to be pretty advanced was the 20/40 LHE game. Of course, there seemed to be a couple of people out of place, as always... but for the most part there seemed to be, by average, a lot more bad spots in that game. It is the most physically draining game in the house to deal, but most poker information rewarding. It is physically draining because it plays with 90 plus percent red birds ( five dollar chips ), and there is often a lot of bets that go in on multiple streets. Now, while the 20/40 Stud game has mainly red birds also, the game just doesn't play as big, and many less bets usually go in.

Speaking of the 20/40 game... why in the world don't they spread it as a 25/50 instead. Like I said, I don't think the game is tough to deal as a red chip game, but overall the house would get a lot more hands in to feed the rake as mainly a green chips game. And, I don't think the interest would decline any. Perhaps there be less 10/20 players willing to jump up in, but to me that is better because then you can keep both games running a for longer stretches of time.

Speaking of balancing, I have heard that they are eliminating the kill in the 5/10 LHE game, in order to allow there to be that balance between the 5/10 and 10/20 LHE games. I think that is genius. Now, if they would just cut down either the 4/8 LHE or the 5/10. How do you have both I am not sure. I could be wrong, because I am new, but they seem to only have a 4/8 O8 and then a 10/20 O8, and the 4/8 normally has kills, and can get away with that. I think it might be best for the house to do the same with LHE. Honestly, the play at the 4/8 is really soft and there should be no reason why the 5/10 regulars should be upset about moving down.... to be honest, I think their hourly rate would actually go up if they did anyhow.

Overall, I think for the size of the room and the amount of players and dealers, the supervisors all do a great job. I would like to give a positive thumbs up to Edmund, a dealer coordinator and floor supervisor, for making me feel welcomed and being a great representation for what all the Foxwoods employees should aspire to act like in the workplace.

Now that my Internet seems to be fixed ( crosses fingers ), I hope to make blog entries on a semi-regular basis.

Joao

Five Star Customer Service

Today is the day, today I become a Pequot Indian.

Okay, so I am lying I can't become an Indian, YET, but I am becoming a dealer at Foxwoods.

Two days of orientation in the books and now it is time to start pitching some cards and causing some bad beats with my mind.

Orientation was long, but surprisingly entertaining. We went into the history of the Pequots from when the "white men" came to present. Funny, this was my first time listening to significant American history tales in the view of the Indians. I was into it.

We really crammed hard into customer service, which is cool by me. We have these 10 steps we must always follow, when it comes to customer service, and they seem pretty logical but if it was written down it's because some just don't follow it. Our instructor, Glenn, may have been one of the more enthusiastic, but in an intelligent and insightful way, teacher's I have seen for this type of deal. He really sold the material well and had every attentive... or so I think.

Second day of orientation took place with one of the poker room managers, Jo Ann. Wow, I am going to love working for her... she is an incredibly nice lady and very thoughtful.

We went over some basics and got some boring paperwork signed.

At the end of he day we took a test on hazardous chemical and materials. Holy cow, I wanted to take a pen and stab my neck with it. If you can't wash your hands without getting the soap in your eye than don't be alive. Most of it was going on proper precautions and how to find the proper steps to take in case you get in contact with hazardous material.

On my way out got my uniform, which I am going to have to get adjusted to, because I think it makes me look like a communist soldier.

And then got my schedule, I work 4 straight days and then a couple of days off. I am happy about that.

I hope my paycheck is nice and fat, as I don't want to be living in a hotel room any longer.

Alright poker dealing here I come... oh how I've missed you.

Joao