SE last night: sign o' the times?

El Stuntman

this has probably been done to death but I haven't been around for a while so bear with me...so after a nice dinner last night (and possibly one too many bottles of wine), I clamber into the SE at about 10.45 last night to be greeted by...not one single solitary punter, just Jack and Arthur sitting at a cash table. They were clearly relieved to see a live person so I stayed and chatted with them for 15 minutes during which time not one single person darkened the doors of the poker room.

Went to the Fitz (which I don't particularly like), there must have been well over a hundred players between cash and tournie with quite a few 'SE heads' spotted.

shame that the best cardroom (location and facilities-wise) in Dublin appears to be on its last legs but fair play to the Fitz for nabbing the market. A good textbook study in how not to manage a business methinks....

ramblings over, return to serious poker content

bottom feeder

Glen, i know its a crying shame as the sporting is the most comfortable and plush place in dublin. For me its the fist place i start playing poker and i would love to see things pick back up.
Im not to sure of the reasons why it has become like a ghost-town.
So you havent been missing much, did you not give Jack a game of snap for rolls....;)

spectre

Sign of the times indeed, I was in the SE on Friday night for a couple of hours and was shocked at the lack of punters. Only two cash tables at 2am and not a single face I recognised. I stayed for 90 minutes on a poor table before heading back to the Fitz where there was action aplenty.

Washout

Ive been away for yonks but what exactly happened?

last i remember Alex and John were running a very good ship.

El Stuntman

bottom feeder wrote: »

So you havent been missing much, did you not give Jack a game of snap for rolls....;)

I offered him a monkey SNG of HU Anaconda but he turned me down

the two boys seemed quite depressed

RasTa

What's wrong with the Fitz? Granted I've never played in the SE because I refuse to give my fingerprints but that's another issue.

smurph

It is quite depressing indeed. The fitz is not perfect, but has the policy of get the bums in the chairs and work from there. Their food menu and being able to order food for cash tables etc., and having toasty ham & Cheese sandwiches complimentary is working. also poker players travel in packs, and go where the numbers are, simple as. Hopefully with the Restaurant opening in the S.E. the numbers will increase. It's a quite time at moment, with Builders holidays and all other businesses relating to same (builders providers etc., etc., on holidays and away). The last thing we need is the S.E. to close because competition means more value for money for the punter.

jbravado

Swings and roundabouts. Pubs are much the same-thay have a certain lifespan before their crowd (for whatever reason migrates to another venue) .This usually sparks a revamp and relaunch and the prosess repeats itself.
The powers that be in the Se didnt do themselves any favours ignoring feedback on quite a few issues. Like Smurph said though players want games and at the moment the games are good in the fitz. Your guaranteed a game within a few minutes and the atmosphere seems lively. I have no doubt the SE will get back on its feet-John and Alex are very good and its a very comfortable poker room.

5starpool

I also have to disagree with one point that ElS made. While the physical location might be good for attracting drunk punters, the fact there is no reliable area to park in close to the SE puts it at a huge disadvantage tbh, never mind that food was an issue for years too.

Ollieboy

I don't think the SE have done anything wrong, its more a case of the following issues:

1. Less players floating around.
2. Less new players coming into the game
3. Older players not playing
4. more people playing online, just look at stars this week, a increase in all the tournaments, so they offer more money and you can stay at home.
5. Rake and profit from game. I've always said it would be hard to make money at 1/2 in Dublin with the rake, even though the game plays a lot bigger.


So with less players around, people will go were there's most action. I.e. the Fitz. So they might have got a small increase in numbers, but in general the number of players around Dublin must be down on the live scene.

Also, its been a long time since we seen a big 500 tourney in Dublin, I remember pokerevents running 4 or 5 a year and them been sold out each time.

The market as just strunk over nite by the looks of it.

5starpool

Ollieboy wrote: »

Also, its been a long time since we seen a big 500 tourney in Dublin, I remember pokerevents running 4 or 5 a year and them been sold out each time.

6 or 7 weeks isn't a long time, remember the one you gave out about but then couldn't go to? Also, the SE had a 400 game a couple of weeks ago.

Ollieboy

5starpool wrote: »

6 or 7 weeks isn't a long time, remember the one you gave out about but then couldn't go to? Also, the SE had a 400 game a couple of weeks ago.

I meant its been a long time since we had a big 500 event with a decent field. There's no value in going to a 500 event with 60 players you are all above average.

Remember the Citywest events used to get 300 runners with loads of donkeys. You just dont see these players around anymore buying into events.

Glowingmind

I expect someone has already suggested this but.....

TOPLESS Dealers

5starpool

I'm with you now. I think part of the thing with that is that a lot people don't see a 500 event as something to satellite into anymore in a lot of respects. These events need a few months run up with constant satellites etc to attract the amount of ordinary punters before people will travel to it and the relatively decent players buy into it, and they obviously were becoming less and less popular as satellites from the heyday in the redcow/gresham etc for PE. Things change and consolidate etc as the general theme of this thread seems to be.

jbravado

Im not sure I agree that poker in Dublin has slowed down or lost numbers as of late. The jackpot is getting huge numbers at the weekend and even numbers for tournaments there during the week are going up and up.

BigCityBanker

Ollieboy wrote: »

I don't think the SE have done anything wrong

rly?

cardshark202

The difference between the SE and the fitz is that the fitz doesn't close down every now and again for private parties. Also its had a longer time to establish a solid customer base. I don't think the SE is the most welcoming, plus since you can't go there til you're 21, the fitz gets to attract all the younger players(the jackpot does too btw), so its hard for the emporium to get new customers.

eagle eye

I don't think this is a good time to decide on how any place is getting on. I have been in Galway for the last couple of nights and both casinos have had five or six cash tables running all night where you would usually have three between the two venues and there has been another venue running cash tables as well, I don't know how they have been getting on. There have been a number of punters from the Dublin scene playing in Galway this week and combined with the holidays mentioned above there are a lot of regular punters missing. While the SE appears from all I have read to be struggling recently, I think its not just as bad as what it might appear to be this week.

I don't understand for the life of me why the Fitz is doing so well, probably still has a good rep from Lukes' days there and the parking is a big help for those that drive but then again I don't spend much time in Dublin anymore so who knows, maybe the Fitz has improved in the last year.
The one thing I have noticed is that a lot of the softer money has dissapeared off the scene. I think this has a lot to do with the attitude of certain individuals who constantly reminded these guys of how bad they were. I met one man in Galway the other night and I asked him why he was not playing anymore, and he told me that he was having a really bad night and this player who was winning money off him was constantly reminding him of how bad he was. He decided the next day that it was no fun anymore, there was no 'craic' at the tables. He was laughed at by this guy and another guy joined in berating him by calling him a fish and that they were constantly telling him to top up so that they could take more money off him. Anyways he has never come back since that night, and thats about 400 a week of soft money gone missing and all because of some idiot who likes to insult people when he is winning. This is off topic but its not a suprise to see less punters with this sort of rubbish going on.

I really hope the SE gets the punters back. I really like the place, it would be a shame to lose another good venue in Dublin. I don't think I'd play in Dublin again if this one went, no way I would play in the Fitz again ever.

YULETIRED

The SE should relaunch thier poker room....and I dont mean a thread n boards.....if they are serious and want to save the poker floor..here is what they should do.

1. Sats every week into ALL the major events around the country
2. Sats into selected EPT events....
3. sort out the parking, eg do a deal with a car park
4. All tournys should be 100% payout (no league rape)
5 food vouchers if playing cash for over a certian amount of time...

6 set up a bad beat booth for victems of the chief and award a montly prize to whoever has been chiefed the worst.
7. no fat burds...make sure the bouncers are candid about this when refusing entry.....( i mean morbidly obese)

YULETIRED

YULETIRED wrote: »

6 set up a bad beat booth for victems of the chief and award a montly prize to whoever has been chiefed the worst.

I lol'd

MadsL

TOPLESS Dealers

I'm having a Alan Partridge moment....

TOPLESS female Dealers

There. Fixed that for you.

5starpool

eagle eye wrote: »

I don't understand for the life of me why the Fitz is doing so well, probably still has a good rep from Lukes' days there and the parking is a big help for those that drive but then again I don't spend much time in Dublin anymore so who knows, maybe the Fitz has improved in the last year.
.
.
.
I don't think I'd play in Dublin again if this one went, no way I would play in the Fitz again ever.

What the hell has the Fitz ever done to you? It give more back to the punters than any other place in Dublin.

tylerdurden94

The Emporium is were i started playing and i will always have a certain loyalty to it, so it is a crying shame that the place is like a ghost town at the momemt. I havent been playing myself much lately so when i do the chance i will head in because i know i will be greeted with friendly faces from both staff and players "ah Danny aint seen you in ages, get a job yet? :pac:"

I think the change in the tournie schedule was massive in terms of what went wrong in terms of numbers, yeah when it was put up alot of people off boards were happy to see bigger buyin tournies something ridiciouls like 5 tournaments over €100 buyin but for the people who just liked to have a game and some craic it just wasnt feesable so they started going elsewehere back to the places were they had come from before.

Another point is that they took a few of the best poker dealers and switched them will dealers from downstairs which i think was definately a step in the wrong direction.

As Sam has said earlier its all swings and roundabouts one place is hot the other is not. But i am very certain from talking to the lads in the SE that they are doing everything within their powers to make the SE a top notch place again and they have certainly taking steps in the right direction with opening of the restaurant. So i hope to see yous all back in the SE soon (job prevailing)

End Rant!

bohsman

I still havent joined the SE, doesnt seem to be any point now unless the NL game takes off again.

As for big turnouts for tournaments one reason is that every village has a poker game now, people dont need to travel. A few years ago all the Cork and Northern players would come to Dublin once a month for a 250 FO, loads of Drogheda etc players would travel to Dublin on a nightly basis.

eagle eye

5starpool wrote: »

What the hell has the Fitz ever done to you? It give more back to the punters than any other place in Dublin.

I explained this in another thread before, lets just leave it at that. No need to keep going there.

bohsman

5starpool wrote: »

What the hell has the Fitz ever done to you?

So youre saying that theyre all saints and have never done anything to anyone?

5starpool

bohsman wrote: »

So youre saying that theyre all saints and have never done anything to anyone?

If I was saying that then I would have said exactly that wouldn't I? If mr flash doesn't want to elaborate here then fair enough, but random statements like "I don't for the life of me know how the Fitz is doing so well" aren't exactly clear.

Lao Lao

So I take it nobody's is thinking of heading in to the SE tonight to play the €50 Double Chance.......... Was thinking about going in for it.

eagle eye

5starpool wrote: »

If I was saying that then I would have said exactly that wouldn't I? If mr flash doesn't want to elaborate here then fair enough, but random statements like "I don't for the life of me know how the Fitz is doing so well" aren't exactly clear.

Ok if you want to rehash. Then here it goes.

I have played in the Fitz more times than all the other clubs in Dublin combined. I have played both tourneys and cash in there.

Heres a brief description of some of the things that I have come across.

I have met and listened to so many abusive customers in the Fitzwilliam. I have had to endure a sober player abuse four players at a table one night, and when I finally had enough and spoke up I was given the impression by the management that I was wrong to say anything to this guy, I since found out that he was a regular there at the time. So that explains that.:rolleyes:

Anytime I was ever playing cash there it was always clear that as long as customers were only wobbling and not falling over that they were gaining admittance and were allowed to sit down and play cards. There was a guy there on another night I was there who was drunk and abusive, using expletives every few minutes and giving out to players regularly, he received a couple of stern looks from members of management and one warning but was never removed from the premises.

It seemed to me that the regular was a vip and some guy like me who had only been there a couple of times was unimportant. Since Luke left my name inexplicably dissapeared of the cash game waiting list on one occasion. As it turns out two regulars ended up getting seated ahead of me, as my name was not put back on the top of the list even though it was clear that I had my name on the list before these guys had even arrived in the place.

These are just things that I personally dealt with on a few visits to the place. Of course I've read stuff here also, such as the 'poker million' debacle a year or so ago. Things like that happening means that it seems to employ a tactic of different strokes for different folks as was the case with me on two occasions up there.

End of/

I really didn't want to start this but you wanted to know.

Ace2007

eagle eye wrote: »

Ok if you want to rehash. Then here it goes.

I have played in the Fitz more times than all the other clubs in Dublin combined. I have played both tourneys and cash in there.

Heres a brief description of some of the things that I have come across.

I have met and listened to so many abusive customers in the Fitzwilliam. I have had to endure a sober player abuse four players at a table one night, and when I finally had enough and spoke up I was given the impression by the management that I was wrong to say anything to this guy, I since found out that he was a regular there at the time. So that explains that.:rolleyes:

Anytime I was ever playing cash there it was always clear that as long as customers were only wobbling and not falling over that they were gaining admittance and were allowed to sit down and play cards. There was a guy there on another night I was there who was drunk and abusive, using expletives every few minutes and giving out to players regularly, he received a couple of stern looks from members of management and one warning but was never removed from the premises.

It seemed to me that the regular was a vip and some guy like me who had only been there a couple of times was unimportant. Since Luke left my name inexplicably dissapeared of the cash game waiting list on one occasion. As it turns out two regulars ended up getting seated ahead of me, as my name was not put back on the top of the list even though it was clear that I had my name on the list before these guys had even arrived in the place.

These are just things that I personally dealt with on a few visits to the place. Of course I've read stuff here also, such as the 'poker million' debacle a year or so ago. Things like that happening means that it seems to employ a tactic of different strokes for different folks as was the case with me on two occasions up there.

End of/

I really didn't want to start this but you wanted to know.

Hmm let me see,

few times i've played in the SE - i've seen a guy lose 2K - was so drunk didn't have a notion what he was doin - how did he get in the door?

i've seen plently of players some whom i know and play there regularly being turned away for being drunk.

Reggie made a great point about the age thing, i've played in the fitz since i turned 18 - as a result i never really play anywhere else, rarely was ever in lukes,never played cash in the jackpot, and only the odd time play the NL game in the SE.


As for the poker million debacle as you call it - The SE have rules about age entry - but they bend these rules for certain players, i could easily give you an example of this - in fact had i said it at the time i would say the SE would be in an awkward situation considering their rules, i think i told 5star about the incident recently - never told anyone else and don't see it as my place.

So just cause you may not hear about incidents be aware that the SE are no angels when it comes to events.

-Ace-

Slash/ED

Yeah the fact you can't go into the SE until you're 21 doesn't help. I started playing live before I turned 21, so got used to the jackpot and Fitz. I've never entered the SE, I just got used to the other places.

Also you get free toasted ham and cheese sandwiches in the Fitz!? I was not aware of that...

Ace2007

Slash/ED wrote: »

Also you get free toasted ham and cheese sandwiches in the Fitz!? I was not aware of that...

if ur playing cash games, i never knew this for ages so they seem to love me - €5 tip it turn out to be - then i found out they were free

5starpool

A VIP playing cash in the Fitz? I have seen regulars get thrown out and barred for being abusive. I'm sure there are occasions where people thought someone was out of line and didn't get dealt with to their satisfaction, but this is a subjective matter. I can't comment on your particular case as I was not there. However, besides a few obnoxious idiots, the majority of people who play there (as with the SE in my experience) are decent people. Actually, I have just reread your post and it says 'seemed to me' and 'got the impression' a few times, so not exactly hard proof there.

As with every wait list, there are people who find they disappear' this may be down to the fact that they were in the toilets or outside when they were called, or it may have been down to poor organisation on a staff members behalf.

The drunk players thing I'm not even going to comment on it is such a ridiculous statement.

You are of course entitled to your opinion.

Edit: Reply to Slash/Ed, all sandwiches are free if you are playing cash games, so you can get a bacon/egg sarnie too, or whatever you want that they have.

Ace2007

5starpool wrote: »

A VIP playing cash in the Fitz?

I'm going to look for one of these people 2nite - any idea what they look like eagle eye?

Slash/ED

Ace2007 wrote: »

if ur playing cash games, i never knew this for ages so they seem to love me - €5 tip it turn out to be - then i found out they were free

Yeah I think I've done the same, no wonder I always run so well in there!

BigCityBanker

Ace2007 wrote: »

few times i've played in the SE - i've seen a guy lose 2K - was so drunk didn't have a notion what he was doin - how did he get in the door?

jbravado will not thank you for writing this about him.

MrPillowTalk

The SE are no saints when it comes to wait lists Ive been fecked over twice and kicked out for protesting in there.

tylerdurden94

Ace2007 wrote: »

Hmm let me see,

few times i've played in the SE - i've seen a guy lose 2K - was so drunk didn't have a notion what he was doin - how did he get in the door?

i've seen plently of players some whom i know and play there regularly being turned away for being drunk.

Reggie made a great point about the age thing, i've played in the fitz since i turned 18 - as a result i never really play anywhere else, rarely was ever in lukes,never played cash in the jackpot, and only the odd time play the NL game in the SE.


As for the poker million debacle as you call it - The SE have rules about age entry - but they bend these rules for certain players, i could easily give you an example of this - in fact had i said it at the time i would say the SE would be in an awkward situation considering their rules, i think i told 5star about the incident recently - never told anyone else and don't see it as my place.

So just cause you may not hear about incidents be aware that the SE are no angels when it comes to events.

-Ace-

I have seen on many an occasion people being refused a seat in the SE because they have been so drunk.

Ace2007

getting in the front door and getting a seat are 2 different things -

Lazare

Ace2007 wrote: »

getting in the front door and getting a seat are 2 different things -

You know there's free booze on the gaming floor dontcha?

MrPillowTalk

Ive done my brains pissed in every casino in town at one point or another, its a bit silly to blame the casino when to be fair everyone is delighted when a drunk sits with a wad. We're all big boys cant go crying about money lost because we were too drunk.

Goodluck2me

5starpool wrote: »

I also have to disagree with one point that ElS made. While the physical location might be good for attracting drunk punters, the fact there is no reliable area to park in close to the SE puts it at a huge disadvantage tbh, never mind that food was an issue for years too.

this is the biggest reason I dont play there, I don't like walking too far to get from car-casino especially if you are carrying a bit of cash, not so much in my case, but lots of people carry 1K+ and I'm sure wouldn't like to have to taken. It's also a complete bítch paying for parking when you are playing, albeit rarely but sometimes you do.
I think too that going in there is a bit like visiting the in-laws in that you are looked up and down as judged as you go through the door, to GIVE them business. It all seems a bit snooty and uncomfortable.
I also hate the no tracksuit bottoms rule, as I've been refused a few time when I just happened to have no other choice. Like if you decide last min to play you might have to get changed.

Over all I think it just appears like they are making me jump through hoops to give them my business when clearly it should be the other way around.

Positives: I think alex and john are top people and would have them at the top of my list. having said that though Sarah in the jackpot is always welcoming as is Denise in the Fitz, so it's hard to differentiate.

The_Chopper

MrPillowTalk wrote: »

The SE are no saints when it comes to wait lists Ive been fecked over twice and kicked out for protesting in there.

Yeah, but it's a funny story

jbravado

I have blacked out a few times in Jacks and SE and the guys (Sarah John etc) have taken or tried to take the loots from me to save them from the doing.

Trippie

jbravado wrote: »

I have blacked out a few times in Jacks and SE and the guys (Sarah John etc) have taken or tried to take the loots from me to save them from the doing.

.

califano

jbravado wrote: »

I have blacked out a few times in Jacks and SE and the guys (Sarah John etc) have taken or tried to take the loots from me to save them from the doing.

Trippie wrote: »

.

"They say it like they're proud of that sh!t"

Trippie

no not really

flushje

Used to go to the SE quite a bit,have stopped recently casue my self and my two mates went in (two of us members ) and the other wanted to become a member, they wouldnt take Garda ID but they will take Passport? Sort it out.

I also think that the fitz has a much more homely and welcoming atmosphere.

Lao Lao

For what's it worth, last night's tourney in the SE had four tables, with 34 runners. It was a really good tourney. There was also two fairly lively looking cash tables going.

The lads really are making an effort in there and I think that more people should give the SE another chance.

Just my two cents worth.........

Jayminator

MrPillowTalk wrote: »

Ive done my brains pissed in every casino in town at one point or another, its a bit silly to blame the casino when to be fair everyone is delighted when a drunk sits with a wad. We're all big boys cant go crying about money lost because we were too drunk.

Completely agree with this.

Anyhow,
The SE are running their €200 game tommorrow and its my only poker outing in over 2 weeks so I hope all you moaning fkrs are gonna come out and try this tourny. If not im stuck at home changing dirty nappys so lads n ladies get your priorities right and meet me in Kehoes tommorrow @ 5pm for the SE game @ 6.30 or you are all gays.

That is all..

ps BCB can wear stripes

Jayminator

goodluck2me wrote: »

I don't like walking too far to get from car-casino especially if you are carrying a bit of cash, .

Joe I seriously lol'd at this one... Dealing tips dont count... Oh sorry you were talkig bout poker winnings. Sorry sorry I just did nt put you and poker winnings together. Apologies. I get it now.