Poker Players Union/Association

Dub13

Tom has mentioned this a few times and I taught we could do with a thread on it,so we can kick around any ideas/views you may have.I certainly think we need some sort of organization,if only to educate people.It would be good to have a one stop shop to represent players views,needs,wishes and expatiations.We have to try and get the cowboys out of the poker industry,or at very least educate the poker playing public.If they can have a Irish Bridge Institute here why not an Irish Poker one...?There is also an On-line Players Association here,but this is for all casino games.

Here on boards we are in a unique position,I would say we are the only large group of organized (very very loosely) poker players in Ireland and I would hope this gives any future organization good initial support.If their was not the support/need for a Union/Association at very least we need is a lobby group,as the government will be changing gambling laws in the future and the players need some input.

If this got of the ground I for one would volunteer some time.So do you have any ideas.

Dub13.

karlh

yeh top idea. count me in too.

i think it would be a very good idea to get a group established well before any 'regulation' from the government.

this whole poker 'epidemic' approach RTE news took the other night is a sign of things to come i'd imagine.

Culchie

Yes, would offer my services, ex-union experience as well

roryc

I'd be up for it too. Have plenty of spare time to lend a hand. I think the mostimportant thing is to print up a charter of the standard rules of poker, and how tournaments should be run. Also, do you think we would need to register as an organisation or anything?


PS - Im only playing if i get to be president

Ollieboy

I totally agree.

Its import that we get rid of the cowboys and give the game of poker a positive image.

All games should apply for a licence before been held, ie gaming board, online or live. There should be a set standard to acquire this, ie advertising, prize pool split etc.

We also need to help people you have problems from poker, ie advice etc. Its in the games best interest to promote the game correctly. Maybe go for the Olympic's next.lol

Very good idea.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

What are the odds that the first AGM would descend into a tournie?

would be interested in being involved, have union experience too...

one of the benefits of the union would be to be able to put forward a spokesperson to counter some of the more hyperbolic statements that go around the media about the 'poker epidemic'. maybe Dev would be interested in that role?

Dub13

Roundtower2 wrote:

What are the odds that the first AGM would descend into a tournie?

I am sure I would bubble.

We could have the odd tournie as a fundraiser....

ntlbell

I thought we had one in the shape of the shammies!

wouldn't like to see any interviews done tho..

So Who are the fist full of shamrock?

Sham: “dude, you best recognize, we be represetin fo shizzle’”

Who do you represent?

Sham: “da fitzwizzle! Dawg free rolling all dem mofo’s”

What attracts you the game of poker?

Sham: “niggah, da bitchez, dey be all up on mah nutz”

How do you treat your bitchez?

Sham: “like 72o dawg, I never have,I never wizzle”

The Gecko

Great idea, and I always believe ideas should be discussed in full.

However unless, action comes from the debate and I am not talking "ok we will revisit it or run a poll" nothing will kick off.

Already there are some volunteers and i would be another. Can I suggest the appointment of DUB13 as intrim chairman who's first task is to schedule a meeting of those interested in setting up a lobby group, union etc with in the next two weeks. even if only a handful attend it will be a start.

Well Dub13 will you accept the honour

califano

Whom do I send? Not my gentle son. The mere sight of him would only encourage an enemy to take over the whole country.

Dub13

The Gecko wrote:

Already there are some volunteers and i would be another. Can I suggest the appointment of DUB13 as intrim chairman who's first task is to schedule a meeting of those interested in setting up a lobby group, union etc with in the next two weeks. even if only a handful attend it will be a start.

Well Dub13 will you accept the honour

If we have the interest and we all think this project could work then I would have no problem's helping organize something and try and get this off the ground.

The Gecko

Ok, well we have yourself (Dub13), KarlH, Culchie, Rory C and myself

So thats the start of a commitee. How many people do we need to say "yes its a good idea" before it will be precieved as a good idea, any suggestions on how we can gauge this.

A sticky with give us your opinion on PPU.?

Doc Farrell

I think its a great idea and Big Dragon (david) and Devore have spoken about it too.
I will be happy to contribute in a non-useful capacity, especially if it involves drinking coffee.

Seriously if you all really want to do it then best of luck. But it might be more trouble than its worth. A few professionals have been trying something similiar in the States and UK but players, being more loners than joiners due to their chosen career, have been lukewarm in supporting the attempt.

why not just whinge from the sidelines like me on boards? it'll save you money on stationary.

if you want to make me El Presidente for Life then i will accept providing I'm allowed assassinate the entire committee on its first meeting.

(sorry, just saw Downfall on dvd, very good indeed)

Duff Man Jr.

Think its a great idea, will send intimidating emails when needed. :cool:

DeVore

Aye its beginning to be needed alright but what form should it take?
I'm connected with most of the casino mangers, the pro players and the people in the industry but its a players association so we'd need player representation...

Should it be a committee? What would its remit be? We already have the IPPTC which is good and should be expanded and updated.... (we've seen the scalpers out running crap tournies too often for my liking).

Obviously this is concept is dear to my heart...

DeV

Culchie

Something like a federation or membership.

Poker tourneys should have to apply for official recognition badge or approval like a Bord Failté B&B has to do.

You can then have a recognised tourney handbook/website etc...

Any of the operators that don't meet the 'standard' will stick out like a sore thumb, like a car without it's NCT

roryc

I think everyone thats interested should set up a meeting (maybe in fitz or pub). I'm available anytime before this Sunday but I'm away to Turkey then for two weeks.

Think the main aim at the start is, as Dev said, working out exactly what we wish to achieve. Next, I think we should sort out a standard set of rules and procedures for ALL tournaments.

PS - just noticed this is my 500th post - Yippee!

DeVore

I think we should have an open meeting and let everyone know about it and hold it at the Irish Open/EPT event, perhaps in the Cellar Bar near the Merrion. That gives us plenty of time from the outset to let people know, kick about some ideas and then talk about them in a room with anyone who wants to come and listen.

DeV.

Lafortezza

What would be the incentive for a normal poker-playing punter to sign up exactly? Surely he'll get the benefits without signing up.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

lafortezza wrote:

What would be the incentive for a normal poker-playing punter to sign up exactly? Surely he'll get the benefits without signing up.

an incentive could be created. money could be raised in modest amounts from tournament directors for sending out a weekly email to all members advertising their events. this money could then be used to fund things like free tournaments etc

when do you think we should meet? how about saturday at 6pm in the Cellar Bar?

[Jackass]

Great idea, i offer support/spare time if needed.

But if regualation tightening etc. is on the agenda of the government, wouldn't it be better to be pro-active and use these fund raising events to raise money for organisations like Gamblers Anonymous, and give poker in Ireland a positive image ?

I suppose it's function would be to raise awareness of the game (organising and publicising tourneys), To protect and teach new comers, to raise ethics and standards of casino's and event organisers, and to give a positive image to the game also, and distance itself from the sleazey Vegas style conception most people have.

I guess the next step would be for Dub13 to arrange a afternoon coffe meet to discuss the issues, and to put a comitee leadership in place?

Dub13

DeVore wrote:

I think we should have an open meeting and let everyone know about it and hold it at the Irish Open/EPT event, perhaps in the Cellar Bar near the Merrion. That gives us plenty of time from the outset to let people know,
DeV.

I think this is the way to go,this Saturday is far to soon for some people.Also around the Irish Open time their will be alot more players around.

jem

please don't use the word union. it gives every selfemployed person a shiver down their back.
I would think it is a good idea however the vast majority of poker players around the country will not even hear about it no less join.
I would join and would do my best to insure that our real charity event(s) would conform to agreed standards.

j

mewso

This is something that would require a very clear idea of intentions. Are we representing all poker players? Professionals/Amateurs? Will professional players respect the organisation? Should a thursday night freeroller be representing Andy Black? We might have great intentions for protecting the rights of the pub player but someone with 10 years experience will have many other concerns and if this is to cover all then all sides need to be considered and represented.

DeVore

musician wrote:

This is something that would require a very clear idea of intentions. Are we representing all poker players? Professionals/Amateurs? Will professional players respect the organisation? Should a thursday night freeroller be representing Andy Black? We might have great intentions for protecting the rights of the pub player but someone with 10 years experience will have many other concerns and if this is to cover all then all sides need to be considered and represented.

the Irish Farmers Association manages to represent both big and small farms and I'm sure we can keep more then one ball in the air at a time.

For example, Roy The Boy has written a piece for Antesup.com (on our front page) taking about the EPT in paris and the way the professionals are getting p*ssed off about crapshoot structures. He's one person I would want to see along to the meeting too.

DeV.

Dub13

Scenario One
You walk up to a tournament organizer and tell him/her you have a few concerns about the tournament the usual stuff crapshoot structures,players not being looked after...coffie to dear etc etc.Tournament organizer looks at you and politely says we will work on it for next year,basically fogs you off.



Scenario Two
A representative of a future Irish Poker players Association walks up to the same tournament organizer and says his members are not happy with the same issues and would be prepared to pull out if they are not addressed.Now because you are organized its a whole different ball game.I bet he would not fog the players Association off,Player power.


The key to making this work is getting the news out to the poker playing public and getting members.My second name is Larkin and I think "big Jim" would even be proud if we could get this of the ground.

roryc

If we got the backing of a few big names it could get the Association known...