SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.

Donttelmum

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc. : Jeez...... Ever wondered why other sites all closed their Poker Forums? Will you be in Manchester? If so, I'll buy you a drink.   I'm hoping to introduce a lot of the players to Mr Channing, too. I did that with Stokey at a UKPC & he loved every minute, & so the plan is to do more of the same at Manchester, even set up a Channing Masterclass if time permits.      
Posted by Tikay10

I shall be there and it's my birthday

I met Mr Channing in Vegas and nearly missed my flight home.  Talk?, you what.  I'll be sure to buy a open return train ticket.

You have answered more than enough questions on here for the day, get away to Starbucks.  Be careful if ordering anything iced, and I don't mean a sticky bun.

unknown_username

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc. : Jeez...... Ever wondered why other sites all closed their Poker Forums? Will you be in Manchester? If so, I'll buy you a drink.   I'm hoping to introduce a lot of the players to Mr Channing, too. I did that with Stokey at a UKPC & he loved every minute, & so the plan is to do more of the same at Manchester, even set up a Channing Masterclass if time permits, or some fiver or Tenner SNG's with him, that sort of thing. All the Staff will be there, too - well Sam, James, Mark & Kirsty, & personally I think it's great that they will all be there & players can meet them & chat.        
Posted by Tikay10

a dream come true and i loved every minute and if some players who have never played live i have to say you must try to get to a live sky event they are the nuts 

craigcu12

TK I'll cheer you up by asking the question

Do you know if any of the old sky poker TV representatives or poker pros be about?

I was aiming to do an SPT just months before they were declared over.  The news of this SPT comeback makes that 2nd place highroller finish more like a minimum cash prize finish.

Look forward to meeting who ever is their got my hotel and train booked already

Tikay10

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc. : I shall be there and it's my birthday I met Mr Channing in Vegas and nearly missed my flight home.  Talk?, you what.  I'll be sure to buy a open return train ticket. You have answered more than enough questions on here for the day, get away to Starbucks.  Be careful if ordering anything iced, and I don't mean a sticky bun.
Posted by Donttelmum

Ha, your birthday? great timing.

Yes, Mr Channing does tend to talk rather a lot. It's generally fascinating stuff though, he's a great story-teller, & I could listen to him all day. Actually I have no choice. 

I read that story about polluted ice in Starbucks, Costa & Nero, yeah, but I think it was a bit of scaremongering personally. The Negative Ninnies in life always get the most attention. I genuinely don't believe there is any health hazard as described. 

Here's the story for those that missed it;

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40426228

Tikay10

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

TK I'll cheer you up by asking the question Do you know if any of the old sky poker TV representatives or poker pros be about? I was aiming to do an SPT just months before they were declared over.  The news of this SPT comeback makes that 2nd place highroller finish more like a minimum cash prize finish. Look forward to meeting who ever is their got my hotel and train booked already
Posted by craigcu12

Hi Craig,

I'm not sure if anyone from the TV Channel will be there, no.

By a strange coincidence, I bumped into David Tuchman yesterday (he did Team Sky Poker) & I said to him that if he is in the UK in August, he is welcome to come along to SPT Manchester, but he will be in the USA.
 
Stu Rutter, who is out here, also asked if he could attend, so hopefully he will be there.

Mr Channing, of course, will be there all three days.

You'll have to wait & see if there are any "surprise" guests.
 
I'll certainly introduce you to any of those from the TV Channel who do show up, including Mr Channing.

It'll be a fun weekend, it really will. 

FCHD

I think you ought to invite Mr Orford

a) for old times' sake, and

b) for value.

Tikay10

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

I think you ought to invite Mr Orford a) for old times' sake, and b) for value.
Posted by FCHD

Orford?

Cant say the name rings a bell.

Sky_SamT

I just wanted to clarify the winning a seat but not able to attend scenario. They are none transferable, this is set in stone. If a qualifier makes it clear to us well in advance that they will not be there then we will make the seat available to the person next in line. Unfortunately qualifiers do not always make us aware and that seat is subsequently swallowed up.

Essexphil

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc. : Orford? Cant say the name rings a bell.
Posted by Tikay10

No-that's quasimodo

gerardirl

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

I just wanted to clarify the winning a seat but not able to attend scenario. They are none transferable, this is set in stone. If a qualifier makes it clear to us well in advance that they will not be there then we will make the seat available to the person next in line. Unfortunately qualifiers do not always make us aware and that seat is subsequently swallowed up.
Posted by Sky_SamT

Ah ok, I see what your saying.

Thanks for clarifying.

Ger

tomgoodun

I hope I can make it to Manchester, it was great news the Spt's returned ( plural in hope)

I also hope that people who read these threads post positively, I know how I feel when I think I have done a good deed to be told " No Tom, not all the curtains, just the ones in the bedroom"

'Avid' readers will get it

Maggiesdad

Sorry if this has been asked before, but if I qualify for Saturday, instead of having chips in at the start, can I late register?

Oldham v Oxford Utd at 3pm so could probably get to casino 17:30ish........

IH8UButler

Just wondering if anyone can give me the odds on direct buyin being available - happy to play on the Friday and with the way things are going lately not holding out much hope on the sats. Happy to buyin online or direct at casino but don't want to trek up to Manchester to find all full when I get there 

MattBates

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

Sorry if this has been asked before, but if I qualify for Saturday, instead of having chips in at the start, can I late register? Oldham v Oxford Utd at 3pm so could probably get to casino 17:30ish........
Posted by Maggiesdad

This young chap, Mr Kendall posted the following

""Late" players will not have a Table or Seat allocation UNTIL they arrive, so their absence won't cause "dead" seats. They may even be on the Alternates List.

Effectively, they will be the same as an Alternate. Once they arrive, they will be allocated the first available seat.

A seat will NOT be held empty awaiting their late arrival."

So while your chips wont be in play from the start, the issue you might have is if the Saturday is popular you may end up on the alternates list.

HENDRIK62

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

Just wondering if anyone can give me the odds on direct buyin being available - happy to play on the Friday and with the way things are going lately not holding out much hope on the sats. Happy to buyin online or direct at casino but don't want to trek up to Manchester to find all full when I get there 
Posted by IH8UButler

+1

 can't remember if I read on one thread about availability for local players etc to buy in direct, obviously Friday will be the quieter day, so will there be a chance to buy in direct through the site, perhaps the day before or will it only be at the casino?

MattBates

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc. : +1  can't remember if I read on one thread about availability for local players etc to buy in direct, obviously Friday will be the quieter day, so will there be a chance to buy in direct through the site, perhaps the day before or will it only be at the casino?
Posted by HENDRIK62

Probably hard for sky to work this out with all these Satellite for expenses players

Sky_SamT

Buy in will be available at the venue on both days. There may well be an alternates list on Saturday but I am sure that if you want to buy in you will be able to do so.

HENDRIK62

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc. : Probably hard for sky to work this out with all these Satellite for expenses players
Posted by MattBates

:-)

HENDRIK62

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

Buy in will be available at the venue on both days. There may well be an alternates list on Saturday but I am sure that if you want to buy in you will be able to do so.
Posted by Sky_SamT

Thanks for info Sam, obviously hoping to qualify via the sats but if not then I will be stealing the kids lunch money and playing anyway.

Sky_SamT

There will be last longer competitions for online qualifiers on both days as well as spot prizes for knocking out members of the Sky Poker team. 

We are also considering a heads up challenge where you can take on Tikay and other members of the Sky Poker team. We are currently however assessing how much we can afford to lose when everybody beats Tikay.

Jac35

Will there be a buffet?

Asking on behalf of a an acquaintance 

rabdeniro

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc. : Jeez...... Ever wondered why other sites all closed their Poker Forums? Will you be in Manchester? If so, I'll buy you a drink.   I'm hoping to introduce a lot of the players to Mr Channing, too. I did that with Stokey at a UKPC & he loved every minute, & so the plan is to do more of the same at Manchester, even set up a Channing Masterclass if time permits, or some fiver or Tenner SNG's with him, that sort of thing. All the Staff will be there, too - well Sam, James, Mark & Kirsty, & personally I think it's great that they will all be there & players can meet them & chat.        
Posted by Tikay10

They better take ear muffs with them.

CxE1

Tikay,Sam

I have a little time today to construct coherent sentences.

The T&C are antiquated and make no business sense, in particular to the spt. The only upside is reducing admin work and i would make a case that even that is not true.

The only reason of lack of flexibility apart from admin is the worry of not making guarantees. Having played at alea venues in exactly same type of tournaments its a very low priority issue. As skypoker only concentrates with uk business it has a distinct advantage. I would be very surprised if one of the venues didnt hit £60k to 70k plus prize pool.

There are many different types of customers with different budgets who are expected to travel from different parts of uk with considerable varying costs. Hotel costs in manchester can vary substantially depending on football home games and brighton is just expensive. 

There will be quite a few who win a package and wont attend for budget reasons. The argument of dont play if you cant attend is just silly. No business should advocate telling its customers not to use its service. Those winning a package may have to book 3 nights accommodation depending on mode of transport.

Those winning a package will have to book friday off work and may even have to book monday off.

There is another very simple and compelling reason which is who  are you to tell me what day i should i play ? We are worried about not meeting a guarantee is not a justifiable reason. The only & best reason should be because the day is full 

To that end here are some suggestions:

1. I am an advocate of sats for cash but this should be scrapped for spt. This is a multi entry tourny and only £220 tickets should be awarded on finals tables. This will encourage people to attend both days if they have multiple seats and to use them if necessary. 

2. Be able to transfer seat to a sky customer. 

3. Packages should be available for both days. People playing on saturday may have to book hotel for 2 nights, trains and other expenses.

4. Defer a seat to next event. This will be seen as the most controversial as there will be a fear of affecting the guarantee. In reality the only people who take this option are those who genuinely want to play a sk event and cant make it. The overwhelming majority opt for option 2

5. Bring along a friend or 2, If your lucky enough to win multiple seats you can treat poker friends. Not likely to if you keep winning final table cash for sats.

6. Start daily sats at £2.60 as opposed to £2.60 all in. A daily £10.80 with min 5 seats gtd. Use promo budget to add value to lower end. No point having an overlay on a final table, same monies can be distributed in a multitude of ways.

Most of the points will hopefully increase numbers both at venues and site and decrease substantially negative issues. Whereas with punta and vegas you are constrained by third or fourth party, this is sky pokers baby and the only person you have to liase with is Doug at alea who is a sound guy.

For your consideration.

Sky_SamT

Hi Vinny,

This is a very reasoned post and I appreciate the time that you have taken on it. 

A lot of what you said is very reasonable and we do plan to run many more SPT's going forward and have already debated a lot of what you have said.

For now, for SPT Manchester not much will change. Many things are stopping us doing a lot of what you have mentioned above including software restrictions and contractual agreements with the venues.

The daily sats we can control and they are under constant review. Personally I think James does a superb job managing satellites and the schedule and I fully trust him to do the best for both the customer and the business.

I do appreciate the constructive manner of the post.

Sam

unknown_username

In Response to Re: SPT Manchester Structure, clock, start times etc.:

. 6. Start daily sats at £2.60 as opposed to £2.60 all in.  
Posted by CxE1

Great suggestion amongst greater suggestions , but this one hits me hardest.

Im tight fisted , so hard pressed to part with £2.60 on a spin. (£1.30 niether)

Im put off by the All-in sats at the micro level, but didnt like to post as I wouldve included moaning words and didnt want  to sound too Haysie like . 

So im happy to snuck in and comment here.

unknown_username

NO REASON WHY THE SAT'S COULDNT OF BEEN SAME AS VEGAS SATS.