Hey gang,
At our first game this season, we informally discussed a lot of changes that could be implemented for this (and upcoming) seasons, in order to help evolve our league and ultimately improve the games and seasons. As I've always said, if the majority of the players want to implement a change, I have no issues doing so.
I was thinking of posting all of items via the poll, but there are far too many suggestions, and the poll isn't the most accurate of tools. Therefore, I'm going to post all the questions here and everybody can vote in the comments. Please make an effort to give your opinion as your votes will decide how we will proceed with the season. People who don't vote will be considered indifferent and will be removed from the total number of players.
Remember that the majority will decide the outcome of each rule. If there are 4 votes for, 3 votes against, and 15 players indifferent, the rule will be implemented. The examples shows how a small number of players have decided to implement a rule – so it’s important to vote unless you are really indifferent.
Rule 1 - First card off the deck rule.
Due to the inconsistencies of time allowed for people to return to the table when they are away, do we want to implement a strict time that if you’re not at your seat, your cards are mucked. The Tournament Directors Association has implemented a rule which is stated as follows:
A player must be at his seat when the first card is dealt on the initial deal or he will have a dead hand. A player not then at his seat is dealt in, he may not look at his cards, and the hand is immediately killed after the initial deal. His blinds and antes are posted and if dealt the bring-in card in a stud-type game he will post the bring-in. A player must be at his seat to call time. “At your seat” means within reach of your chair. This rule is not intended to condone players being out of their seats while involved in a hand.
Options
- Implement the rule
- Implement the rule with variation (example: if you're not at your seat when the LAST card is dealt, your hand is mucked).
- Do not implement the rule and continue to allow the people at the table decide when a person should be mucked.
Rule 2 - Standardize the day / time of each game
I think this has pretty much been decided to NOT be implemented, but here’s your chance to give your official vote if you want the same day and time for each game.
Options
- Saturday afternoon
- Saturday night
- Sunday afternoon
- Game day/time should be left to the discretion of the host
Rule 3 - Minimum starting stack
Some people have expressed concerns about having lower chip stacks during regular season games. Do we want to set a minimum starting stack for each game?
Options
- Set minimum starting stack (example: 2000)
- Set minimum starting stack in relation to buy-in (example, $15 buy-in = 1500 in chips, $20 buy-in = 2000 in chips, $25 buy-in = 2500 in chips)
- Chip stacks are left to the discretion of the host
Rule 4 - Ban peek cards
Pretty straight-forward, do we want to keep the peek cards or not?
Options
- Yes, ban peek cards
- No, keep peek cards
Rule 5 - Final game chip stack
I think this is one of the bigger items on our list. Do we want to increase the number of chips at the final game in order to give more play for the players?
Options
- Increase the top player’s chips and keep allowing a proportional number of chips distributed for the rest of the players. (Example, increase chip leader’s chip count to 3500)
- Give a set amount of chips to each player at the final game. (Example, at the final game, everybody gets an extra 500 in chips)
- Give a set amount of chips to each player, at an optional fee. (Example, each player at the final game has the option to pay $10 that goes directly to the big pot for an additional 1000 in chips)
- Anything else that you think would be appropriate.
Rule 6 - 2 decks in play to speed up games
To speed up play and get more hands in, this would definitely be something to consider. For those not familiar, this is how it would work:
While the button deals from one deck, the player in the cutoff seat shuffles the other deck. Once the hand is complete, the cutoff player hands the shuffled deck to the small blind, who is now the button, while the previous button, who is now the cutoff, collects the cards from the last deal and shuffles them in preparation for the next hand. In this way, the dealer always has a fresh deck that he can deal from right away.
Options
- Yes, implement this rule.
- No, do not implement this rule.
Rule 7 - Schedule all games in advance, including Big Pot.
Doing this would avoid any scheduling issues and we’d avoid the hard time we had last year in scheduling the final game.
Options
- Yes, let’s outline all 15 games and big pot game now
- No, let’s allow the hosts to schedule the games when they are able to host a game.
And that’s all of them. Thanks in advance for the feedback guys.
Cheers
Dave
Comments (17)
Here are my votes:
Rule 1 - First card off the deck rule.
If not within arms reach by the time your 2nd card gets to you then hand is mucked. Nothing personal, just fair for everybody.
2 - Standardize the day / time of each game
Saturday night games, or as a compromise, I would like a third of the season to be night games. Thats fair for the people with families and weekend events
Rule 3 - Minimum starting stack
2000 min
Rule 4 - Ban peek cards
No more peek, Vegas doesnt use them either.
Rule 5 - Final game chip stack
My vote is to give everybody an additional 1000 in chips at the final game (no additional money).
Rule 6 - 2 decks in play to speed up games
use the 2nd deck, however if Small Blind is still in the hand we will NOT expect them to play and and shuffle at same time.
Rule 7 - Schedule all games in advance, including Big Pot.
If we have the hosts, then play away.
I will enter the votes for both me and Lise
Rule #1
Dan - When it's your turn to act, the table looks, if you are not in the room, you are mucked
Lise - When it's your turn to act.
Rule #2 and Rule #7
Dan - Schedule what weekends the games will be in advance, but the actual game day/time will be up to the person hosting, as it is now.
Lise - Leave everything up to the host
Rule #3
Dan - 2000 minimum, up to host if he wants to add more
Lise - Same as Dan
Rule #4
Dan - no peak card
Lise - Don't care
Rule #5
Dan - Everyone has 2000 chips + chips for every point you received during the season. Just have to figure out the breakdown of how many chips per point. How many points did the POY have in the previous years? That can be used to figure out the formula for chips
Lise - Keep the structure you have now, but at the finals, players can buy an additional 1000 chips for $10 that goes into the pot
Rule #6
Dan - 1 Deck, this is for fun, not a job
Lise - 1 deck
Rule # 1
I go with #2 option. Implement the rule, however, the missing player has until his turn to act before cards are mucks. I mean the player must have his or her ass on the seat precisely at time to act. Not half way there coming out of the bathroom.
Rule # 2
I vote option 4, because some Mondays are holidays, so someone could host a Sunday night game. I HATE playing afternoon games, but I still favor them for others. I'll just keep showing up very late. Maybe put a rule of "No Game Shall Start Before 13:00 Atlantic Time". Then I'm fine with it.
Rule # 3
Option 2 seems the only one that make common sense. That's my vote. Option 2, yes, option #2.
Rule # 4
BAN THE F-ING PEEK CARDS. They are good for nothing except slow down the play. Take your friggin peeks cards and go to Vegas. See how many friends you make. #GoodRiddance
Rule # 5
I like the current structure, but option # 3 is good with me. Keep in mind, more chip means a longer Big Pot tournament duration. I just don't want the host kicking people out because it's getting late. Cough cough Dan, Marcel & Ron. :-p Keep calm folks, I'm just being me...dry humor.
Rule # 6
ABSOLUTELY NOT. # 2 # 2 # 2. All MPC tournaments have a history of lasting 6-8 hours at the current structure. I'm sure most members enjoy the social aspect of the league. I see no need to speed up the game with this silly non sense rule. For what? How much time will it actually save? This rule might even make me quit the Moncton Poker league...seriously. If I want rush poker, I'll go online. I will not host a game with this rule. I'm not here to shuffle cards all night! Besides, if you make a few changes to some of the other suggestions in this poll, then we shouldn't need 2 deck anyways.
Rule # 7
Option # 1 is a must. There's enough members with abilities to host a home game every two weeks on a regular schedule. This gives ALL members to schedule their personal activities in advance. I also favor NO Christmas breaks, which means no 4 week break in mid December.
Rule # 8
Wait, what? Was there a #8? There is now. How about, under no circumstances, NO PLAYER or DEALER shall look at a muck hand, or non flopped cards. I've done it, you've done it, we've all have done it. Whether you're dealing cards out of fiendly gesture because you busted out early, or, a player was outside smoking it up or they're late showing up, I don't think any player or dealer should be looking at a muck hand or cards in the deck which haven't been officially dealt.
I will sit down and vote for every one later but I'll vote for #5 right now. I vote for no change and Barbara also votes for no change. Really no point in playing many games if you get an extra 1000. Lol chips should always be based on the point leader not just given out.....Earn them.
I'd like to iron out all of the new rules before next game, so to answer Dana's question, let's put a deadline of Friday, October 18th, at noon. That gives everybody plenty of time to vote/discuss.
Rule 1 - First card off the deck rule.
Option 3- I say do not change this rule. Usually the table is pretty good at mucking the player’s hand if they aren’t present. I don’t find much time is wasted when someone is absent.
Rule 2 - Standardize the day / time of each game
Option 4 - Game day/time should be left to the discretion of the host
Rule 3 - Minimum starting stack
Option 1 - Set minimum starting stack (example: 2000)
Rule 4 - Ban peek cards
Option 1 - Ban peek cards
Rule 5 - Final game chip stack
Option 2 - Give a set amount of chips to each player at the final game. (Example, at the final game, everybody gets an extra 1000 in chips).
As Dan mentioned in his comment, I believe points should still matter and whoever did the best over the season should get the most chips. I just thought that last year finishing in the money 3 times and final tabling nearly every game getting me a 1400 starting stack left for less play than the regular season seemed odd. By adding 1000 to the base, this would resolve this issue and get us a little more play for the big money.
Also, I can assure everyone that the tournament will not take much longer than last year’s tournament. In our other leagues we double the normal chip stack for the finals and the tournament usually only takes an extra hour or so. With our structure, adding the extra chips will only really add a little more play in the early levels and you will see the final table with a bit higher average stack, but the same number of players will still be in push or fold mode as last year.
Rule 6 - 2 decks in play to speed up games
Option 2 - No, do not implement this rule.
Rule 7 - Schedule all games in advance, including Big Pot.
Options 1 - Yes, let’s outline all 15 games and big pot game now
Ron's comments, for what they're worth...Rule 1 - First card off the deck rule.
option 2. Implement the rule with variation if you're not at your seat when the cards were dealt, your hand is mucked, unless there was a verbal warning ie. "hey everyone I'm going to get you guys some samiches so deal me in!" That should be allowed.
Rule 2 - Standardize the day / time of each game
option 4. Game day/time should be left to the discretion of the host
Rule 3 - Minimum starting stack
Option 2. Set minimum starting stack in relation to buy-in (example, $15 buy-in = 1500 in chips, $20 buy-in = 2000 in chips, $25 buy-in = 2500 in chips)
Rule 4 - Ban peek cards
Option 1. Bye peek cards.
Rule 5 - Final game chip stack
Option 2. Give a set amount of chips to each player at the final game. (Example, at the final game, everybody gets an extra 500 in chips)My vote is extra 1000
I strongly protest the ability to buy more chips.
Rule 6 - 2 decks in play to speed up games.
Option 2. No, do not implement this rule. I dont even know why this was suggested as a rule. I think the act itself should be allowed if there are two people who agree to deal but only if the active players agree as well. I think the players should have option to say no to any dealer or dealers if they choose.
Rule 7 - Schedule all games in advance, including Big Pot.
Option 2. No, let’s allow the hosts to schedule the games when they are able to host a game. I agree with others comments about holiday mondays and such. Things like weather can also influence having a game on one day or the other. I believe schedule should be left to chance because it seems when you try to please everyone, it just backfires. Poker is partly a game of chance, so it seems appropriate the schedule should be too. If you can make the scheduled game, great, if you cant because you're already playing poker somewhere else...too f$%*ing bad. I do like the idea of scheduling the big pot game in advance though. the only reason we ran into a problem was because we changed the date at the request of ONE person who originally agreed witht the date. I think we set the date then stick with it.
Here are Sherry and my votes:
Rule 1
Todd: I like Jims idea. If you are not in your seat when it is your turn to act then your cards are dead.
Sherry: Same as Todd
Rule 2 & 7
Todd: Schedule what weekends the games will be in advance, but the actual game day/time will be up to the person hosting, as it is now.
Sherry: Same as Todd
Rule 3:
Todd: I pick option 1. Set a new min starting stack
Sherry: Same as Todd
Rule 4:
Todd: Yeah its time to get rid of them.
Sherry: Same a s Todd
Rule 5:
Todd: Option1. I like the idea of the final game being a freeroll. If you want to give out extra chips for more play thats fine. Just dont charge for them.
Sherry: Option 1
Rule 6:
Todd: I vote NO. 1 deck is plenty.
Sherry: Vote No
Rule 1 - First card off the deck rule.
Option 3 - No change.
Rule 2 - Standardize the day / time of each game
Option #4 Game day/time should be left to the discretion of the host
Rule 3 - Minimum starting stack
Option 2 - Set minimum starting stack in relation to buy-in (example, $15 buy-in = 1500 in chips, $20 buy-in = 2000 in chips, $25 buy-in = 2500 in chips)
Rule 4 - Ban peek cards
Option 1 - Ban peek cards
Rule 5 - Final game chip stack
Option 2 - Give everyone an extra 1,000 chips for the final game but tourney should still be a freeroll.
Rule 6 - 2 decks in play to speed up games
Option 2 - 1 deck
Rule 7 - Schedule all games in advance, including Big Pot.
Set the weekends for all of the games but let the hosts decide the actual time. The big pot game should be set (date/time) in advance.
Rule 1 - First card off the deck rule.
Option
- Do not implement the rule and continue to allow the people at the table decide when a person should be mucked.
Rule 2 - Standardize the day / time of each game
- Game day/time should be left to the discretion of the host
Rule 3 - Minimum starting stack
Options
- Set minimum starting stack (example: 2000)
Rule 4 - Ban peek cards
Options
- No, keep peek cards
Rule 5 - Final game chip stack
Options
- Increase the top player’s chips and keep allowing a proportional number of chips distributed for the rest of the players. (Example, increase chip leader’s chip count to 3500)
Rule 6 - 2 decks in play to speed up games
Options
- No, do not implement this rule.
Rule 7 - Schedule all games in advance, including Big Pot.
Options
- No, let’s allow the hosts to schedule the games when they are able to host a game.....BUT Big Pot Game should be scheduled in advanced or at least by Jan 1st.
I will be posting for myself and Barbara
Rule #1
Dana: Keep it as is. The host usually has a lot of hostie things to do and may be out of his seat from time to time. Do you punish the host? No. Do you make an exception? No.
Barb: I agree
Rule#2
Dana: 4
Barb: 4
Rule#3
Dana: Option 2
Barb: Option 2
Rule#4
Dana: Keep them
Barb: Keep them
Rule#5
Dana: I would prefer to stay the same but people want change( although this has worked for 11 seasons already). I absolutely hate giving an extra 1000 chips. In theory I could not play another game and enter the big game with around 1400 chips, 140 big blinds. So I will vote to increase the points leader to 3500 and have everyones stack proportioned to his.
Barb: Agreed
Rule#6
Dana: 1 Deck
Barb: 1 Deck
Rule# 7
Dana: Games are every 2 weeks, no breaks. Games must be on Saturdays or Sundays and must be booked in order. No skipping weeks to get to a certain day. Big pot should be booked ASAP.
Barb: Wow my husband is SO smart I agree with him on everything.
Extra things
Dana: Just a few more things to add. I feel if a players hand is folded because he isn't there his hand should be put in the muck immediately. Nobody needs to look at them.
Just to remind everyone rabbit hunting is against the rules unless EVERYONE agrees to do it. Some of these rules we are voting on are to speed up the game and this does slow it down so if I'm at the table it will always be a no.
I believe this league is starting its 12th season. Although the poker craze has died down this league remains strong. A few tweaks here and there is a good thing but to many changes all at once may not be.
Lastly I would like to thank Dave for all the hard work he does in keeping this league going. Sucked having him get knocked out so early in the first game. Lol must be why he feels he needs an extra 1000 chips at the Big game.
Voting is now closed! Anything that comes after this comment will not be counted. I'll tally it up the votes and post the results before the next game.
I'm missing tomorrow's game, but you guys can definitely implement the new rules.
Are we going to find out the results before tonight's game?
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Here are my votes:
Rule 1 - First card off the deck rule.
Although, this does make our game a bit more strict when we're definitely a casual/social league, I think this is the only way to keep it fair and consistent. So my vote is to implement this rule, but only make it so the hand is mucked when the last card is dealt.
Rule 2 - Standardize the day / time of each game
There have been too many people who said they didn't like this, so my vote is to keep the game day/time to the descretion of the host.
Rule 3 - Minimum starting stack
My vote is to have a minimum amount of chips of 2000 per game. If a host wants to increase the buy-in and increase the chips, that's totally cool, but minimum 2000.
Rule 4 - Ban peek cards
I'm ok with the peek card, so my vote is to keep it.
Rule 5 - Final game chip stack
My vote is to option 1.
Rule 6 - 2 decks in play to speed up games
Love this rule. Avoids the Marc Julien shuffle.
Rule 7 - Schedule all games in advance, including Big Pot.
My vote is to implement this. Will just avoid a lot headaches!