Poker Tournament For NFBC Members In Las Vegas

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 12:43 pm

Okay, as everyone knows it's going to be a busy, busy, busy weekend in Las Vegas on March 18-19. Some guys have asked me to set up a poker tournament JUST for NFBC members on Saturday night and it's tough because the Rio is booked solid that weekend and we don't have the ballroom reserved ALL day because of the damn sewer's convention the next day. Those ladies are starting to....well, never mind!

We do have a good alternative, though, thanks to Perry Van Hook's contact in Las Vegas. Tom E. ran the WCOFF poker event in September for 90+ guys I believe and it went well. He has worked hard to secure some space for us if we can get enough interested parties to play in an NFBC-only members poker tournament. First the details and then the comments.

WHEN: Saturday, March 19th starting at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Union Plaza, downtown Las Vegas

WHAT: Texas Hold 'Em

COST: $235

PRIZES: $200 to prize pool, with 5% going to dealers' toke

FACTS: No limit, start with 2,500 in chips starting at 25/50 blinds limits and going up every 20 minutes. The event will take about 4-5 hours depending on the number of players.

Now, I am not running this or getting involved in it or even playing in it. I've been contacted by someone I trust who can pull this off at a downtown location and make this an individual tournament just for NFBC members during one of the busiest weekends of the year. We can also get rooms at Union Plaza for under $100 a night all week if anyone is interested, depending on whether we do this event or not.

If anyone is interested, please post your name and number of players you might bring with you and we'll see if there's enough interest to make this happen. I won't be providing transportation, but I'm sure smart guys can gather together to cab it over. The NFBC will be done well before 3 p.m., leaving everyone enough time for some fun.

If you don't like the vig or anything else about this setup, feel free to provide constructive criticism as we'll work on all the terms before we offer this again in football. I'm not a player so this terminology is foreign to me. But we are lucky to have an alternative to have some fun together, do it in one spot on a busy night and even have very affordable rooms at our disposal if we want to play cards all night and sleep for 2-3 hours!

Our contact is securing the space now and we need to get a head-count to him early next week. If there's enough interest, I'll let him set up a PayPal billing setup for you to do that directly. If not, like I said previously, then we'll plan for a better alternative in September. I think adding this one event JUST for our players adds to the whole weekend of sports and Las Vegas.

Thanks everyone and I'll follow this thread closely over the next few days. Good and bad comments are welcomed.

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:12 pm

I didn't play in the football event, but I know of another company's setup *Big Kahuna*cough* where they set everything up, fees, rake, vig, etc., etc. and then at the last minute they announced to the entire casino that there was a tournament starting, and allowed locals (sharks) to jump in and take the tournament from a fun one to a screw-job. As I recall, nobody from the actual fantasy football contest won any money.

When this is declared as an 'NFBC only' tournament... participants and co-managers? Any friends of anyone playing? Spouses? I'd just like to hear what the expectations are...

(Yes, for those negative assmunchers out there who want to point out I don't have to play I'm well aware of how free will works. Save your comments for someone who cares

Thanks,

Dyv

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:37 pm

If I remember right from football they said the casino couldn't have private games. They had to be open to the public. If thats the case than any attempt to have a private game with the help of any casino is out the window. Anyone wanting to do a poker game would be better off working it out at the draft and than finding a private room.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:11 pm

Wow, we're off to a good start. Comparing anything I do to Kahuna sure will make it tough for me to sleep tonight.

Let's compare it to the WCOFF poker event that Tom E. ran for them. Did any locals come in and sweep the prizes? I'll let anyone who did that event speak about it, but I don't remember many complaints after it happened.

Yes, it's for NFBC members, their co-managers and I suppose a significant other only. If there's a "friend" in question, we'll take the easy road and just ask that person not to participate. If you guys want to organize a private game in a hotel suite, that's fine by me. Trust me, the last thing I need is helping to run another event that weekend and before the Ultimate Leagues on Sunday. But I trust that Tom has the ability to run this privately and in a downtown casino with the authority to do it as advertised. Asking intelligent questions is welcomed. Comparing anything I do to what happened in that other event is just ludicrous.

sandckaye · Post by **sandckaye** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:16 pm

As long as it is a PRIVATE game I am in.

Stan

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:32 pm

greg with a double

Cellar Dwellers · Post by **Cellar Dwellers** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:38 pm

Dyv-Can I get in your tournament? I love to play cards with guys that play for fun.

Dyv · Post by **Dyv** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:40 pm

I'm not comparing this to Kahuna... holy smokes, no reason to read that into what I said!

I just want to make sure I understand what's going on - fair question you have to admit!!

I have no clue what the WCOFF did last year - I was busy with the NFFC and have no reason to follow the other contest or their poker version. I only know what happened with Kahuna and it made me sick to hear about how it went down.

Greg, you clearly say here that you're not a poker player and the terminology is foreign to you... I don't know Tom - aren't these fair concerns for me to raise and have answered?

This isn't some random meanspirited post ... it's a real concern.

Dyv

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 6:07 pm

I agree with you Dyv...good for alert purposes.

I was in the WCOFF poker game in Vegas last Sept run by the same guy. It was very professionaly set up...so much that I "raised wrong" and was not allowed to raise. (turned out to kill me)

The man in charge did a great job. The vig was worse there than here...but he said it would get better. (I think). It had a big turnout...but it was open to WCOFF players and friends. There were plenty of friends in it.

I had no complaints...just wish I knew the rules a bit better...and wish I had not drank so much...and wish I folded my pocket Kings vs. pocket Aces.

Hey Greg...invite me to your "home game" with the rock star...I'm game. He seems very down to earth and cool.

~Lance

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 2:57 am

Dyv, fair questions. Any reference with something I'm doing to Kahuna is off limits. Gekko was wrong, it wasn't a double mad. That one alone earned you four mads.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:02 am

Okay, thanks Lance for the testemonial. Now here's the rest of the details from Tom. I will also e-mail this to all Las Vegas players this morning. Again, I don't care if we do this or not, but some guys have asked for a poker tournament after the draft and this is a viable option. Please let me know if you want to do this and I'll report back to Tom on Monday. If there's enough interest, we'll start the signups for this. But again, I'm not running this. I'll be off looking at the sunset that night with a case of MGD next to me.

Now for the details:

Tom Elias Fantasy Baseball Poker Tournament

NL Hold Em Tournament (No Rebuys) $235

$200 to prize pool, 5% of prize pool alloted for dealer tips

$35 Entry Fee Cost

Pay 9 or 10 places (depending on number of entries based on at least 100

players) (shorter field less places paid out) Estimated pay outs

percentages are 1st place 38% ----- 9th place 2.5% of prize pool.

DATE: Saturday March 19th @ 7:00PM PST

LOCATION: Plaza Hotel Casino (downtown Las Vegas)

"Home of the "2004 Plaza Ultimate Poker Challenge" as seen on TV .

REGISTRATION start time 6:15 - 6:30 pm pst

TOURNAMENT START TIME 7:00 PM PST SHARP "ON TIME"

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR: Tom Elias

Former WSOP director 3 years - "The Tom Elias Fantasy Football Poker

Championship" Sept 2004 - 30 Years in Poker Industry & Tournaments

Limits 20 minutes (Will excelerate in later rounds) To keep the tournament

to about 4 hours limits will start at 20 minute rounds after first break

excelerate limits to 15 minute rounds.

$2500 in chips

Blinds (1st four limits)

$25 / $50

$50 / $100

$100 / $200

$100 / $200 w/ $25 Ante

You pay the non-refundable $35 entry fee now and the $200 Buy-in to Prize

Pool the night of the tournament. Private Poker Tournament for Fantasy

Baseball Draft Players only. The $35 entry fee is non refundable because

there had to be guarantees made to obtain the facilities to run the event

especially for you the fantasy baseball draftees.

To sign up and reserve your seat you need to make a $35 nonrefundable

deposit in one of the following two ways: No Late Entries at the Door

Accepted.

1) Online

Pay $35 to [email protected]

In the notes section of the payment please include the following:

1) Full Name ______________

2) Draft Fantasy Baseball Team Name ____________

3) Email address _______________

4) Number of Entry (s) __________ (each entry must be a Fantasy Baseball

Team Player from the draft, full names and draft team names must be

included in multiple entries)

or

2) VIA MONEY ORDER

send $35 to (mailing with tracking suggested)

Tom Elias

7340 W. Russell Road, # 1077

Las Vegas, NV 89113

Please include

1) Full Name ______________

2) Draft Fantasy Baseball Team Name ____________

3) Email address _______________

4) Number of Entry(s)_________ (each entry must be a Fantasy Baseball Team

Player from the draft, full names and draft team names must be included in

multiple entries)

5) Mailing Address____________

You will receive a confirmation email when your non-refundable entry fee

cost payment of $35 has been received. Balance due of $200 to prize pool

buy-in for tournament at check in prior to the tournament.

The more entries we have the more likely we will pay a 10th place at the

final table.

You pay the non-refundable $35 entry fee now and the $200 Prize Pool Buy-in

the night of the tournament. Private Poker Tournament for Fantasy Baseball

Players only.

HOTEL ROOMS

Don't forget I also got you guys if you want (1st come 1st serve) room rates

of $85 minimum of two night stay. There are rooms available on the weekend

and also during the week if you want to come in early. (I have the info for the rooms if you need that as I don't want to post that here for everyone to see.)

You must sign up online or by money order only. No late entries

taken at the door. Only Draftee players pre-signed up can play in the

event. Any questions regarding the tournament contact Tom Elias this is

his tournament event the Plaza Hotel Casino does not know any details

regarding the tournament event.

[ March 13, 2005, 09:29 AM: Message edited by: Greg Ambrosius ]

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:50 am

Greg, Dyv and all others interested.

The tournament that Tom set up for WCOFF members was first rate - everyone who played in it had very positive remarks.

I will be there and I think my auction partner will be as well as Jason from mastersball.

Let's get everyone there and have some fun.

sandckaye · Post by **sandckaye** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:00 am

Just one question Will the poker room be non-smoking or smoking?

Stan

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:19 am

Since the 35 bucks is non-refundable...

Is there a minimum players to make it happen at all? Or will we play it with 18 or more...etc.

Sounds fun! (I loved the bounty prize idea on the last one for taking players out of the tourney!)

~Lance

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:32 am

I'm in if there are enough players to make the prize pool interesting.

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:24 am

sandckaye, Its non-smoking.

JohnZ · Post by **JohnZ** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 9:41 am

I'm in if we get a decent amount of players.

Cooperstown · Post by **Cooperstown** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:03 am

What's next, the Tom Elias Fantasy Baseball Poker Tournament Fantasy Draft? Let's see, should I take Dyv with my first pick? Or Gecko?

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:46 am

I would have to pick Dyv (of that pair) - Gecko is a football guy.

But, let's get more signups for the poker tournament.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:02 am

Hey Greg, how about we add the poker tournament to your roll call list?

That will cue all those guys that need to sign up for everything.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:10 am

I'll add that to the roll call on Monday if we get enough interested parties before then. I'll start one right here and update it as we go along this weekend:

NFBC Poker Entrants

1. Captain Hook

2. KJ Duke

3. Sportsbettingman

4. UFS

5. George Beason

6. Jesse Herron

7. Dustin Ashby

8. Stanley Kaye

[ February 19, 2005, 10:57 AM: Message edited by: Greg Ambrosius ]

Team Herron · Post by **Team Herron** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:17 pm

I am in (Jese Herron) and so is my co-mnager (Dustin Ashby)

sandckaye · Post by **sandckaye** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:44 pm

Iam in money order going out mon

Stan

Pezmanjr · Post by **Pezmanjr** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 3:15 pm

My deposit is in and has been acknowledged. Looking forward to the Poker, plus after 2 auctions drafts on Friday (AL $1,250 and NL $650) and then the Big Event on Saturday. WHAT A WEEKEND!

Greg - You make this the Supreme (didn't want to use the word Ultimate) fanatasy draft week end experience.

joeyt300 · Post by **joeyt300** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:52 am

Hi everyone, registered in early January and I am looking forward to meeting everyone. Poker is an area of expertise of mine and I wanted to post to Greg and others a little info. On average the vig of $35 on a $200 tournament is ridiculously high. ($15 is typical) I have never played in a private event though so I guess some of that cost is being paid by the $35.

If you win a tournament the average tip is in the 5% area so taking 5% out of the pool is fair, however if you do win this event or come in the money take this into account (Personally in events where tips are deducted automatically then I do not tip if I win, akin to tipping extra at a restaurant where they automatically put 17% on the bill)

I am looking forward to meeting all of you and if anyone plays online Poker you should email me, I have many deals and free stuff I give away for signing up at different sites.

Joe T