More Merrion Messing

bohsman

Poker management in the Merrion are not happy with their tables or chips either but claim they cant do anything about it and I will be playing tonight see can I come third for a third night in a row

TwoShedsJackson

pokertroll wrote:

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I don't see a problem with the chips or tables.

Oh come off it, the chips and tables in the Merrion are ****e. Pick up one chip in the Merrion and you're guaranteed to have three more stuck to it, plus the tables are fine if you want to recreate that authentic 'I have sea sickness feeling', otherwise they're what might charitably be described as '****e'

DeVore

Everyone WILL remain civil.

That isnt a prediction or a request its a statement of fact. Any more name calling or derogatory unrelated comments will win the prize of my size 9 in their arse.

This applies equally to both "camps".

DeV.

amp

DeVore wrote:

My point is that this is a Suited Aces event now. We are holding it in the Merrion as it happens but we will be running the show. Prize structure etc will entirely be our concern. Just so thats clear with everyone.

Will they be getting the same cut of the money as before? I presume it'll be lower if they're not as involved.

Oh and by the way pokertroll, having an odd sense of humour does not always indicate childishness. Try harder.

MadsL

Most of the critics that I see here are novices who have been playing competitively for 6 months or so , and that mainly in freebie tournaments - entitled to an opinion alright but hardly authorities on the matter.

So, I was wrong about the chip race rule, eh?

Hyzepher

I for one am glad to see such discussions happening as it re-enforces the interest and strength of Irish poker. It also compounds the need for a site like Suited Aces where we can react to public opinion and give you guys exactly what you want.

I don't see the benefit of openingly criticising either of the clubs with broad sweeping statements but I do see the benefit of trying to improve - no matter how small - things in both locations.

I think the Merrion have a good idea of what they need to do and to be honest they have taken the lead in a lot of areas. The Fitzwilliam are the new kids and as a result are shaking up the stagnant poker scene - this is a good thing for poker player. Competition helps to push the boundries etc.

But as poker players we have a duty to try and support both clubs - if not by playing there then by trying to be less harsh in our criticisms. We needs as many venues to be actively supporting poker as we can, other wise the great leaps we have experienced in tha last year will fall away.

I am sure that both clubs would welcome civil and open debate and probaly welcome any of you guys to pick upi the phone and discuss things with them - anyone done this !?!

Through Suited Aces we have been trying to focus the clubs towards the areas that you guys feel is lacking - feel free to discuss topics with us and we'll do your bidding for you.

Hyzepher

pokertroll

Hi Madsl,

In my first comment in this thread I agreed that you were right about the chip race. You would not see this in a normal tournament as the dealer would normally have the cop on to sort it out or the players would kick up a fuss. Mags was wrong to make that ruling and fair play to you for keeping
composed enough to play on in the tournament and deal for the others etc.
Note Mags doesn't normally act as TD - normally its is Toby or Duke that takes care of this but on Mondays they don't have the staff coverage as it is not considered normal tournament.

My main gripe with you is the fact that you started yet another thread criticising the Merrion over this small issue in a nothing tournament. You are too quick to criticise, IMHO.
You did the same re the Charity event last week, giving out about the fact the club charged a registration fee to cover some of the costs of running the event. I don't want to reopen this topic again as the DapperGent elegantly gave the final word on the matter.

The result is that most of the novices on this board will only hear bad things about the club which is not fair to them and the club itself.

amp

The above doesn't really compute. On the one hand you don't want us saying "bad things about the club" despite the fact that "nothing tournaments" would be the tournament most novices would enter.

Surely novices would like to hear feedback about these worthless not-proper tournaments? At least they would know how the Merrion operates beforehand and thus cut down on the threads complaining about their management (or lack there of).

I see nobody from Suited Aces has decided to answer my question about the cut. Instead the standard response of "competition between clubs" has been issued. Sorry, but this still hold no water for me and if Suited Aces are going to start whitewashing things to make everything seem rosey then it's going to make me think less of SA as an organisation.

I would rather play in a 50 freeze out held in a warehouse rather than go back to the Merrion.

Davey Devil

pokertroll wrote:

My main gripe with you is the fact that you started yet another thread criticising the Merrion over this small issue in a nothing tournament.

Why are people calling freerolls nothing tournaments?? Freerolls are the most likely tournament to introduce alot of new players to poker clubs. If the tournament is run badly they will probably not return.

Thanks to freerolls satillites getting me into bigger games I've earned a hefty sum of cash this year and got the chance to play against some of the best players in Ireland.

Never call a freeroll a nothing tournament.

amp

Hyzepher wrote:

But as poker players we have a duty to try and support both clubs - if not by playing there then by trying to be less harsh in our criticisms.

I missed this statement. Possibly my brain ignored it as being so unbelivable to be possibly true.

As a poker player I have absolutely no responsiblity to ANY club. It may be Suited Aces responsibility to support both clubs in the interests of SA but I have no responsibilty to SA. I would like to see it do well as I know most of you but as a punter I don't care either way. I enter these tournaments in order to try and learn more, get my signature changed and possibly even win some money.

I'm certainly not going to be less harsh in my criticisms of the Merrion. Why should I? They should welcome feedback and try to understand or they are going to be doomed in the long run. The more they fuck around with their punters, especially the novices, the less likely people will go.

DapperGent

amp wrote:

I see nobody from Suited Aces has decided to answer my question about the cut. Instead the standard response of "competition between clubs" has been issued. Sorry, but this still hold no water for me and if Suited Aces are going to start whitewashing things to make everything seem rosey then it's going to make me think less of SA as an organisation.

In all fairness Amp what the fúck do you care about the cut? Registration for all tournaments usually runs at 10% of the buy in, this dovetails nicely with the Merrion's charge of €5 a skull so €5 on €50 works nicely. It's a charge we've so far found reasonable for use of the space, chips, cards and nibbles/beer.

There were some problems at the last event, we had a chat, made some changes and the next one should be better. I dunno how that corresponds to a whitewash.

gerire

I fully agree with Davey here, trawl back to the start of the poker board in December and we all met up together and started going into the freeroll games together first and then, and only once our confidence was up to and kind of decent level did we start putting our money on the line in cash tournies? The free-roll is a great starting point into poker, and also a ptential big money winner, Namely Davey, but many others have profited from the tournaments they have won tickets to

amp

DapperGent wrote:

In all fairness Amp what the fúck do you care about the cut? Registration for all tournaments usually runs at 10% of the buy in, this dovetails nicely with the Merrion's charge of €5 a skull so €5 on €50 works nicely. It's a charge we've so far found reasonable for use of the space, chips, cards and nibbles/beer.

So it's the same cut then? Like most punters I care about how much money goes into the prize fund and how much goes elsewhere. Especially that it's my and other punters money that makes up the prize fund. Of course I now realise that this is none of my business.

I also believe Eircom when it raises the price of line rental and that Ryanair are a great company to work for.

But sarcasm aside I've probably posted too much in this thread already.

I hope the tournament does go well, and good luck to all those playing.

DapperGent

amp wrote:

So it's the same cut then?

Yes it's the same reg fee as any tournament.

actiondan

Theres a lot of interesting reading on this site. But after reading the majority of posts on this thread I'm very disappointed. It seems that a lot of the people who are commenting on the standard of the merrion have only been playing poker for 8 or 9 months and what they don't know about poker isnt worth knowing, I'm surprised the likes of Amp havent opened their own casino seen as he seems to know it all.

I really think that a few of the people posting here should ask Liam Flood what the hell is he at directing a tournament like the winter or easter festival in the merrion since its such a **** hole. I mean after all for people who are playing the game for nearly a full year you guys know everything.

Everyone has certain likes and dislikes about both the fitz and the merrion but to be constantly running one down does noting for poker in dublin and as a poker player of several years I'm sure that the people who are bad mouthing the merrion will sound find another trend to amuse them for a year or two, maybe chess might experience a popularity boom in the next couple of years.

amp

DapperGent wrote:

Yes it's the same reg fee as any tournament.

Well there we have it then. Competition in action folks. When a company screws you over, you go back to them and in return they do less work for the same money. Of course you trust them not muck it up again because they've given their "word". It's this kind of thinking that keeps Ireland the economic powerhouse of Europe.

One wonders how vocal you'd would be in defending the Merrion if Suited Aces (for some strange unfathomal reason that I cannot understand) were not about to host a tourny there?

amp

actiondan wrote:

Theres a lot of interesting reading on this site. But after reading the majority of posts on this thread I'm very disappointed. It seems that a lot of the people who are commenting on the standard of the merrion have only been playing poker for 8 or 9 months and what they don't know about poker isnt worth knowing, I'm surprised the likes of Amp havent opened their own casino seen as he seems to know it all.

I really think that a few of the people posting here should ask Liam Flood what the hell is he at directing a tournament like the winter or easter festival in the merrion since its such a **** hole. I mean after all for people who are playing the game for nearly a full year you guys know everything.

Everyone has certain likes and dislikes about both the fitz and the merrion but to be constantly running one down does noting for poker in dublin and as a poker player of several years I'm sure that the people who are bad mouthing the merrion will sound find another trend to amuse them for a year or two, maybe chess might experience a popularity boom in the next couple of years.

How many years of playing poker do you need to have played before you become blind to sloppy management, poor tables/equipment and breaking agreements already made? I'm obviously too new to the game to not see things like this. When I open my own Casino I'll need to contact you with regard to having a consultative position.

Also, oh wise poker veteran, at what stage does the elitism kick in? I want to know when I can start dismissing novices opinions as being the mere babblings of children.

Oh and in case you lose the ability to read sarcasm, pokerstar, here's some veteran subtitles for you:

You are an arrogant elitist mellonfecker!



/me sees shadow of size 9's.... :eek:

DapperGent

amp wrote:

One wonders how vocal you'd would be in defending the Merrion if Suited Aces (for some strange unfathomal reason that I cannot understand) were not about to host a tourny there?

I don't remember expressly defending them, just attempting to temper some frothing at the mouth band wagon hoppage which always irritates the fúck out of me, no matter what the issue.

If I feel the need to criticise the merrion at some point believe me I will.

amp

DapperGent wrote:

I don't remember expressly defending them, just attempting to temper some frothing at the mouth band wagon hoppage which always irritates the fúck out of me, no matter what the issue.

Well I'm sure all those people who at last enjoy broadband think the same of those frothy mouthed bandwagon hoppers in Ireland Offline.

DapperGent

If you can see a connection between the Merrion and Eircom's monopoly on telephone lines you're looking far deeper into the issue than I.

In fact one could say you're looking so deeply into the issue that you're in fact looking through the issue and arriving at a mystical issue that exists only inside your head.

Adam I can't talk to you when you're like this. I'm going to play poker. Wish me luck!

amp

DapperGent wrote:

If you can see a connection between the Merrion and Eircom's monopoly on telephone lines you're looking far deeper into the issue than I.

Well. Ireland Offline was a collection of people dissatisified with terrible service from a company. They complained. Things got better. I think it's a fair comparison if simplified.

In fact one could say you're looking so deeply into the issue that you're in fact looking through the issue and arriving at a mystical issue that exists only inside your head.

Wow, I'm seeing shit now. Cooool.

Obi-wan Kibobi: There wasn't any fuck up here... These arn't the problems you are looking for.

Adam I can't talk to you when you're like this. I'm going to play poker. Wish me luck!

Good luck man!

mewso

Interesting discussion. People need to calm down perhaps. There have been discussions before now about the merrion with very blinkered views on both sides. It's dissappointing to see cetain people attempting to devalue opinions based on length of experience playing poker.
I have always prefferred the Fitz for various reasons. I have played in both many times, including I might add, tournaments during the Irish Open festival and the Winter festival. I wonder does that qualify me to comment on the merrion with more authority. I hope not.
While some people here have been a bit too heated in their criticism of the merrion in my opinion, it is at the end of the day just criticism and any casino will improve business if they pay heed to that criticism. Of course some of it is unfair criticism, again in my opinion.
The last Monday night tourney was a strange experience for me. The events have been pretty well talked about. An attempt to force the winner to take a voucher to a tournament he had already expressed no interest in taking. This despite an apparent agreement that all winners would have a choice on the matter, which I confirmed as the final table began.

Why not advertise the event in the room so 50 players could see them and consider attending?
Why ask SA to do this during the tourney?
Why try and make the winner feel like scum for not taking a voucher?

These questions have been discussed and I believe we can put them behind us. In truth some persons in the merrion may share the opinion of some of their supporters here, that we are newies who can be manipulated but I think they are in the minority.

As has been said regarding the next Monday night tourney. We may give vouchers as part of certain payouts but this will be known and announced here or on our site in advance. The merrion will provide us with a dealer for the final table, and continue to provide drinks service, food etc. as before. It's important to note that finger food could not be provided last time because the chef was ill and indeed the final table players did get finger food in the end. The chips and tables will be the same, which as far as I'm concerned are fine. At the very least if you have any issues with the venue then give it another chance, attend next monday and if it's not a good experience let us know.

DapperGent

amp wrote:

Well. Ireland Offline was a collection of people dissatisified with terrible service from a company. They complained. Things got better. I think it's a fair comparison if simplified.

No, it was a collection of people dissatisfied with a company and having nowhere else to go.

Maybe they negotiated instead of complained, things certainly did get better. Hmmm maybe it is a better comparison than I thought.

amp

Hmmm sobering words. Not that I've been drinking. I may have overreacted a little in this thread partly due to being patronised by a certain arrogant elitest melonfecker above.

*ahem*

I also may have been underestimating the negotating powers of SA as I don't know what happened at the meeting so I may have been talking out of my arse. I'm sure SA will run a good event no matter where it is. I won't be attending the Merrion hosted ones but what's one less muppet eh?



P.s. Sorry for re-editing my posts Hyzepher. I have replaced your changes to reflect my opinion, which I believe to be correct.

DapperGent

Please attend!!! You're +EV!!!

amp

lol! thanks, but no, somebody in the Merrion will recognise me tear me apart limb from limb while screaming GET THE NOVICE! GET THE NOVICE!!

MadsL

What have I started?

Can everyone please calm down - I'd hate to see a fist fight break out the next time we play poker together. :eek:

Couple of points:

First of all the length of time someone has played poker is absolutely irrelevant, people come to poker from all walks and some of those people have a very good sense of how things should be done, if not through the experience of playing in tournaments, then through thier own experience of management, hospitality or customer service. Those comments are valid. They may not be the way you see things but they are valid. Dismiss them as newbies and you'll simply miss a lot of good points made.

Secondly I am trying to be balanced (I genuinely have no axe to grind about the Merrion, it's just they have irked me on three occasions now) - I welcome discussion about whether or not things are right or wrong. Seems to me that is the whole point of a discussion board - and specifically boards.ie - I would hate to see this poker forum turn in to a collection of bad beat stories and announcements. Please do not forget that this site is part of boards, and here we rant, rave and sometimes call each other melon****ers - shortly followed by size 9s. If people feel I am being inappropriate by starting threads telling of my experiences in either club - then ban me now - personally I think it is fairer to players to let them know what problems have arisen so they can look out for themselves. Next time they sit do to play, asking what the prize structure is for instance. Now you, actiondan, would probably consider that second nature and I have just learnt that lesson. Now we are two players who know that, by posting it on boards there are now lots more of us that will know to ask and not simply trust what was advertised or is usual.

pokertroll

Amp, I agree with you for once you are a muppet.
Dappergent, Muso and Hyzepher - common sense and fair comment as always.

The blinkered opinions are mainly on one side. I have tried to be fair and objective in all my posts. ActionDan is getting a hard time in this thread but I gotta say I agree with most of what he has said. It sounds to me like he is coming from a similar perspective to myself.

I now realise that this is the wrong forum for such discussion as it is more a newbie support group than anything else.

If you are looking for serious discussion, forget about freerolls etc. Its not poker - put it in a newbie section maybe because it is not a true reflection of what poker is about in Dublin. The standard of play is abysmal, no dealers...

When people go to a non-event like a freeroll and use that as the basis for judging the club, I am never going to agree. It just strikes me as very juvenile.


Note
Yes I know the boards people love freerolls but It is not the only way to start playing - better to start in a proper event with professional dealers and good players. You learn more playing with good players than bad.

MadsL

pokertroll:
1. Money changed hands
2. A ruling was incorrect
3. The terms of the tournament were changed AFTER the bet was made.

Now, are you seriously telling me that players can expect that in a 'non-event' and then should not judge the club by it???

I now realise that this is the wrong forum for such discussion as it is more a newbie support group than anything else

So you'll be leaving then?

Hyzepher

Ok - This thread is going to have a ton of bricks decending on it from a height if people are not willing to discuss things without resorting to personal insults.

I would have thought that we were all old enough to be able to respect other people's oopinions regardless of how right or wrong we think they are. Surely people are intelligent enough to argue their case withoout name calling.

Are we?

Hyzepher