Column: We Need More Fun on the Poker Circuit

This week Barry Carter looks at some recent innovative additions to major poker festivals, and suggests why live poker events need more fun and variety on their schedule.

WPT Cyprus

Recently we interviewed tournament director Matt Savage ahead of the WPT Merit Cyprus Classic, and he talked about the shift towards more resort-based stops on the poker circuit.

He rightly pointed out that playing the poker circuit was expensive and a hard grind, which is why the WPT is focusing on making sure their players have plenty of things to do away from the casino, other than poker.

It can be very easy to be completely consumed by poker, especially when you travel to play live regularly. The company you keep is almost exclusively poker friends, usually your hotel is next to or part of the casino, and any time you spend away from the venue can easily be spent in front of a laptop playing online.

Long-term, this cannot be healthy for anyone. Poker can be mentally and emotionally draining, especially when it is the only thing you do. Poker players need saving from themselves sometimes, which is why I am pleased to see poker festivals recognising the need for renewal away from the tables, as well as providing good action on them.

Rest and relaxation

The PCA

The only thing some poker events provide as entertainment away from the tables is a party, or at least a bar. Most people like to party when they are away from home, but it does seem counter-intuitive to taking the poker seriously, as most of us who have had their share of Day 1A hangovers can confirm.

WPT Cyprus this week took place at a luxury resort; a hotel-casino in Kyrenia, Cyprus hosted the players. It was a perfect place to do things other than poker, including relaxing in the sun and playing golf (and a special golf tournament hosted by Matt Savage). Whether you win or lose at an event like this, you are probably going to leave it with happy memories.

The PokerStars Caribbean Adventure is an example of a good, early pioneer in this regard. It is not difficult to see the benefits of being on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. On top of having such a relaxing backdrop, PokerStars always puts on plenty of fun things to do away from the tables at this event including golf, beach volleyball, jet skiing and battleship tournaments.

VIP treatment

A Black Member party

I think PokerStrategy.com was ahead of the curve too in this regard, with the Diamond and Black Member VIP Tour where our biggest grinders get treated to luxury weekends in amazing locations.

It would be easy for a site like ours to instead just give away packages to poker tournaments as a reward for grinding, but I think the VIP Tour are a much better idea.

When you put in the sort of volume needed to become a Diamond or Black Member, you probably need a regular weekend away enjoying the finer things in life much more than you need another poker tournament.

Of course the biggest grind of all is the WSOP, which can really take it out of you if all you do is play poker and then party when you bust out. In recent years, some online rooms have opted for offering satellite packages to Vegas where, instead of winning a Main Event buy-in, you win a 'Vegas experience'.

This includes parties, meals, activities, and only a small amount of poker. I think this demonstrates that there is a thirst for an overall poker experience, rather than just the buy-in and travel expenses.

Unique side events

Backgammon, bridge, scrabble and eSports coming to Prague

One thing that really caught my eye recently was the upcoming Prague Poker Festival. I already took note of it last year, when it successfully merged WPT, EPT, and GSOP events as part of the same festival.

This year, their festival looks even more enticing because of some of the stuff they have planned that isn't poker related: most notably, the Prague Mind Sports Festival, which takes place during the overall poker festival. This includes a series of events including scrabble, risk, backgammon, and bridge - all played for real money.

While I cannot see any of these niches ever taking off beyond the level they are currently at in this festival, I can't help but think they will make this a festival to remember.

There are plenty of poker players who love these games, and an equal number of people who will enjoy them for the sheer gamble and competition.

The festival also has an eSports festival, which I can see being a big hit. As we all know, a great number of the best online poker players in the world come from a gaming background.

It seems ludicrous that this hasn't been attempted at a poker festival before. The games are yet to be announced, but I think if StarCraft makes an appearance, we might see a few more PokerStrategists turning up.

The festival also has an event that is poker, but I feel is different enough from regular events to be fun - the World Sit & Go Masters, which is the only championship event for Sit & Go specialists in the live arena.

Although this is hardly a break from poker, it is different enough to get some poker players who were on the fence about whether they wanted to play this festival to decide to make the journey.

Keep it interesting

Could eSports and poker mix?

Most poker events are simply not going to compete with the EPT or WSOP if they are only trying to create a big prize pool.

It is much better to offer poker players something different as part of the schedule; whether it is golf, backgammon, StarCraft, parties, sightseeing or just sun and relaxation. 

There is now more choice than ever for poker players who want to play live and the organisers of these events need to think further outside the box than the guarantee or the structure.

Despite the money in play and exotic locations, live poker can be an expensive, isolated, draining experience if poker is the only thing on the menu.

By Barry Carter