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".....I guess the simple fact is who the presenters and analysts feel, based on their viewing of the players, will succeed best at the events they're sending them to......"
There's quite a disconnect there, I'm afraid.
The Presenters & Analysts (with one exception) had no input to this decision. They work for Channel 865, & the selection decisions were made by the Senior Suits, with the final decision resting, I think, between Des Duffy, Adam Harmer, & Richard Milner.
The one exception I alluded to refers to myself. I wear a number of hats here, & I was asked to submit the names I felt would best serve Sky Poker for the initial 3 month period. I did so, & I would imagine that the Suits looked at the list I sent, then made their own decisions as they felt appropriate.
As far as I am concerned, I can make a good case for any number of other Players to be included, but we can't squeeze a quart into a pint pot, & I feel the Team we have is excellent, & a great case can be made for every one of them. Cases can be made for many others, too, but there's plenty of time ahead, & if they are good enough,they'll get their chance.
The "selection criteria" for this initial 3 month period is pretty much decribed in the Post I made about Dan Brown. All the Team tick all the boxes as far as I'm concerned. Many others would also tick those boxes, but a line has to be drawn somewhere.
It HAD been planned that a three month qualifying period, (October - December) would be where Team Sky Poker began, but the Suits felt it would be well received if they kick-started it early, to show players what it's all about.
Hence, the Founding Five were hand-picked.
"....Right then first of all i cannot argue with the picks that have been made,all quality imo even tikay haha,only problem i have is with the top 30 process so many players are going to miss out on this chance and so are sky.because you play at a higher level therefore gain more league points does not make you a better player imo....."
We could enter a deep debate here as to "better players", but I think it's fair to say that evey player has the same chance - if they are good enough. A player who has the right ability can work his way up the Levels. Exactly as Dan, Wayne, Reds, & James have.
As to me, it is not planned that I will be playing any of the Events - but if I do, (one never knows) I would rather do so with my own money.
Alan (Maxally) said......
On a more serious note, best of luck to all of you on the Sky poker Team and future team members. I genuinely wish you all the best.
FlashFlush replied along the same lines, too, also expressing certain wishes.
Several others have been supportive, & more tellingly, most gracious in their genuine wishes that the Founding Five run well, & that we can all have some fun supporting them. Which IS the idea - that every one of us can feel part of this, via the Live Updates, photos, interviews, maybe Railing some of them at the actual Live Events, chatting to them at the Sky Poker Tables & on the Forum, da de da.
We certainly hoped that the prevailing view would be the very strong Comunity spirit that courses through this Site. Realistically, though, we knew that poker players being what they are, a few churlish comments were inevitable.
I very much hope we can move on now, & that the Community can support these five players. And whilst doing so, aspire to be in the January Team Sky Poker Draft.
I loved total player so it would be good to keep that too! (fingers crossed)
The "technical questions" as to qualification for the next draft will have to wait, I'm afraid, as I don't really know enough "in-depth" about it personally, but I'll have a read up, & get back to you on them.
One more before I retire for the night.
Sky Poker have deliberately "gone against the grain" as to Online Poker Rooms in quite specifically selecting ONLY players who are well-known & established Sky Poker regulars.
Rooms such as 'Stars pay huge sums of money to recruit complete "outsiders" to their Team, such as Boris Becker, & Liv Boeree, etc, & I am delighted for them both, I really am.
But just imagine, given this Thread, the reaction if Sky Poker had gone outside the existing Community & regular players to sign up some big name Pro. I shudder to think what the reaction might have been, given some of the comments in this Thread.
We all "know" all of these players, & I hope we all get right behind every one of them now.
I had to go to a bit of a function thingie this evening, & James Hartigan, Lisa-Marie, & Sky-Mandy were all there, along with the great & good of the poker world, including Joe Beevers, Barney Boatman, Neil Channing, & many many more.
An odd sort of evening, really, highs & lows & all that.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a great weekend.
Just wanted to get the 100th post on this thread!!!
Thank you for your replies so far Tikay, it is much appreciated.
Obviously the selection process is gonna be heavily weighted to those who can put in some serious hours, however there is no other poker site that can put the 'dream' of being a sponsered poker player within reachable grasp.
All of the chosen line up are regular Sky Poker players. I used to play with LJamesL on here over 2 years ago...
I look forward to the progress of this, and it is excellent for Sky Poker in general. This is something that will bring in a lot of new players, not just from casual players who will now see the Sky Poker logo at some major live events, but also because of the structure of the selection process does mean that anyone who puts the work/hours in has a fairly decent chance of becoming a member of Team Sky Poker.
EDIT: This also couldn't come at a better time, as the download client will really make a big difference and it really is coming soon guys.
this is more like a goverment picking who they want to do a job over somone who would be better at that job in favour of friends....
You`re not wrong!! ; ) xx
Our community is solid and united. Long live Skypoker and our community!
It is my belief that we all ARE behind the players and wish them all the very best on their journey. We are behind each and every one of them 110% as we were with Total Player.
I think it was just a matter that some points needed a little clearing up and that is all xx
Three new players will join the Team in January.
I have no idea if the existing 5 will all retain their places in the Team - but I hope they do.
The Founding Five are here to get Team Sky Poker started with, we hope, a bit of a bang, & to show those trying to make the Team what it's all about. In fact, in my personal view, they all thoroughly deserve their initial selection. I cannot begrudge any one of them their selection.
The January Draft will be transparent, & visible to all. Whoever qualifies will get in the Team, and I hope Sky Poker may even consider another "Wild-Card".
Nothing about this is exclusive. If you want to win it youve got to put in the effort, they arent pandering to anyone. They want the winners to be the best players. Its fine saying "what about us small stakes players." Well do you think you really deserve it just as much as someone whos worked hard enough to make it to the top levels and plays on the site a lot more?
Sorry only just saw your post and Thanks for your reply. Yes I see now what you meant was that some people may not like the idea. I gotcha hun.
The very best of luck to you Dan and I hope you go a long way. xx
Nothing about this is exclusive. If you want to win it youve got to put in the effort, they arent pandering to anyone. They want the winners to be the best players. Its fine saying "what about us small stakes players." Well do you think you really deserve it just as much as someone whos worked hard enough to make it to the top levels and plays on the site a lot more?
I'm not convinced over the League, the best players don't get to the top because it is not an average of the games you play, lets face it, if Blackpool played 100 games and Chelsea et al played 20 Blackpool would win the Premier League, I see many "table toppers" sitting in small tournaments where there are 2 or 3 runners and 10 league points awarded for beating the mighty 2. You also get 8 points for winning a small stakes DYM, and points for winning Russian Roulette games! The League points should IMO be an average of points gained vs games played, more points awarded for more runners and less points for luck SNG's.
I would much rather just see Sky Poker pick their team and I would support it all the way, I am sure lots of people will set goals to make team SP and I just hope they don't play outside their bankroll in desperation of doing so, this selection criteria should increase site traffic and will make for good TV when the qualifiers face off in the tournament so I see it from Sky's business point of view, so, in essence I really support this but still have reservations about manipulation of the League.
D
I think you will find most of the high roller players started playing poker at the very lowest limits, James often says he started playing 5c/10c cash games, and look where he is now. I don't know about the others but i'm sure it's a similar story.
I personally am (and always have been) on a low income, and with 3 children to look after I don'thave a lot of spare cash. So for me personally to have built up from a small deposit and alot of hours to be in a situation where I can push for a top 30 spot is a massive personal achievement.
Its rare you see a rich guy come staright in and start playing at the high levels without building their bankroll with many hours hard work (unless your name is joegibbo LOL!!) and if they do, they don't last long.
I never came onto the site expecting to be given everything on a silver platter, and as for "Sky are just pampering the high rollers" well thats just LOL, there are soooo many freerolls, competitions and give aways to help players get started its nice to see the big rake builders are getting rewarded.
The 4 picks are still a long way ahead of me and I really admire them all, but my aim is to keep putting in the hours, and I hope 1 day my name will be used in the same breath as some of those guys.
Best of luck to you all and hopefully soon I'll join you
+1
Sky Poker are trying to build and improve their status in the poker community. To do this they have come up with a great concept and gone to 'their own' - meaning us, the players and not outside celebs. They also want to build the numbers and give us all a chance of achivieving something...........cant see the 'big' sites doing promos like this for their players!
James i was not complaining about you being in this i just wanted to know why you was picked over, erm lets say sam1986, browndog, offshoot or ajs4385 and a few others. As we both know these players over the past few months have been playing the site on a regular/daily basis.
I thought sky would want to reward these players.
perhaps by the "wild card (s)" that tikay mentioned before...