Sunday, August 10, 2008

Filipino Time

Poker has been in the Philippines for years and a lot has improved. The structures are better. The plays are now more strategic. More people know how to play. Attendance is far from when we were starting. Payouts are definitely bigger. What has not changed is the time it starts!

Back in the day, there'd be a tournament advertised for 2pm and it'll start by 3pm or 4pm. Nothing has changed at all when it comes to the actual first deal. Players do not arrive early because they know it's delayed. Organizers do not start on time because players have not arrived. It's vicious cycle and I don't see a snap-of-a-finger solution to it in the near future. But it really has to stop.

Too much time has been wasted waiting for the tournament to start. As of this writing, I'm waiting for The Metro Bounty Tournament to start. It was advertised to start at 8pm and it's now 9pm+. I've walked around Metrowalk several times and I know it won't start in the next few minutes. Such a waste...

This is not particular to The Metro. All other poker rooms I've been to experience the same problem. But if The Metro wants to be the poker room all other poker rooms want to be, starting tournaments on time would be a good place to start.

Let's make this a "petition" post. If you're in favor of tournaments starting on time, just leave a comment on this particular post. Make your voice heard.

5 comments:

Ross said...

I'm in favor of tournaments starting on time. :)

Maybe a 15-minute grace period is gracious enough. But more than 15 minutes is just giving players a reason to arrive late in future tournaments.

Unknown said...

I agree. I hope The Metro comes up with a "Guaranteed Time" policy to go hand-in-hand with their Guaranteed Pots. As the market leader, I think The Metro should take a lead on this.

manilapoker buddy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
manilapoker buddy said...

Right on button! Just came from APPT Macau and they start on the dot as it's managed by the Tournament Director software. Our fav Manila TD Brian M was assistng TD in Macau. Hope he can execute it here when he returns.

Ross said...

As if driven by the hand of God, God by the way reads this blog. The Metro has been starting their tournaments on time. Great job Metro.