Thoughts for the coming year ...

Just thought I'd begin the discussion on the next year of Dirty River Poker. This year we saw the average attendance nearly double and with a slight increase in the number of tournaments along with a few higher buy-ins, we will be able to send people to a total of 6 or more HPT qualifiers, 4 more local tournament seats, + a $2,500 tournament of the player's choice. But as always, I look for ways to improve upon a good thing. Following are some of the major factors I like to consider when scheduling tournaments for the coming year.

1) The amount of time that needs to be put in to make a legitimate effort. Obviously there are some who make every tournament, some that make most, some that make half, etc. The goal with the various buy-ins, doubleheaders, etc. is to allow players to pick and choose if need be what tournaments they feel they must play to compete, but also allow those who want and are able to play more often the opportunity.

2) Amount of money that would be spent throughout the year: Either on a monthly basis or in a single tournament. We try not to push the envelope too far for those who may not have the means to do so. Especially those with families.

3) Give everybody something to continually play for. Being such a long year, there always needs to be something to keep people's interest. Thus the bigger tournaments towards the end, so everybody still (even those who hadn't played a single tournament) has a chance to compete for the prizes. This year we had a 5-week bonus for (2) HPT seats. Next year the plan will be to do at least as much.

4) Times of tournaments. Most are on Sunday to work around most people's schedules, although there are some on Saturday for various reasons. Obviously the goal is to not alienate anybody from not being able to play any particular tournament and we make every effort to give plentyl of advanced notice of intended dates.

Now some of the thoughts that could be considered for changes for the coming year.

1) More tournaments - either more 2 a days (both NLHE or otherwise), possible 2nd chance tournaments (a tournament half or less the original tournament buy-in beginning at a specific time after the first tournament has begun), possible smaller buy-in weekday tournaments, more frequent (every 2 weeks, 3 weeks at most) weekend tournaments

2) Higher buy-in tournaments - More $60 total, more $80 total, with or without the same number of $40 tournaments

3) Flatten the prize structure of the final tournament. Now that everybody knows what we are playing for, I think it's possible to just put a percentage to the year-end prize instead of a set amount.

4) Increase the number of HPT seats given out throughout the year. 1 or 2 seats for every 5 or so tournaments played. This gives everybody the opportunity to play for something no matter where they may sit in the overall point standings.

5) Adding a set amount to the year-end pool to play. $20 to the playoff and $40 to the Championship. This adds an extra $1,000 to the prizepool - however distributed.

6) Expanding the year-end tournament to more participants. 18 or even 20 is a possibility without changing much. Should it be linked to average attendance? The average amount per participant in the Championship prizepool?

I'm sure there are other ideas that others would have, but I am just looking to start the discussion in time for next year.

Scott Eckert wins the Deadwood HPT

$64,133. That's the amount (plus entry into the HPT Championship in Gary) that Scott Eckert was able to take down yesterday at the Lucky in Deadwood. Not really a lot of details other than Scott was a 2-1 chip dog going into heads up play.

It's been a good year for the Fargo crew in the HPT, with Alison Kelley, Thane Fliginger, Dave Baxter, and Don Eagan all making final tables this past year.

Hopefully Tim Jacobs will continue to lead the HPT League in Mahnomen (or Mark Lawson, Ken Hamilton, or Pete Bushey replace him) and take another free entry to Gary and they have a good showing in a tournament that is estimated to have at least FIVE TIMES the Deadwood prizepool.

October 13th Results

2 great turnouts for the NLHE and Crazy Pineapple tournaments, getting 40 for the first tournament and 31 for the Crazy Pineapple. The first tournament, Cpt. Fission came from well behind to post a well-needed victory to help secure his spot in the top 12. Ron O was able to beat Pat A heads up in the Pinespple tournament, giving both major points towards either securing top 12 spots or making a run at the top 12.

The next tournament will be huge!! The big 2007 Dirty River Poker NL Championship event on Saturday, November 3rd, starting at 12:00 noon. $10,000 in starting chips with much extended rounds, this tournament will have as much play as you can get in a one-day tournament. We are expecting a rather large crowd, and RSVP's would be much appreciated. 50 to even 60 would not be out of the question and any final table finish will make a huge difference in the point standings.

How long has it been!!!

Alright, alright, I know it's been ages since I posted anything, much less the results of the past tournament.

First, we'll get to the last tournament as best as I can remember 2 weeks ago. Lefty came through with his first DRP win, besting a final table of Duff, Seth M., General, Hunt, Dale C., Kramer, Jelly, Slinger, and NosCat. Lefty has now moved up into the top 12 in standings with his 3rd top 4 finish in a row. The final hand pitted Lefty against Duff, by the turn the board was Q high with 3 diamonds and all the money went in with Lefty holding K5d while Duff had KK.

Of course that's about all I can remember, except for the hand that busted me, and nobody wants to hear about that.

Coming up through the rest of the year are (3) $40 NLHE, (1) $60 NLHE, (1) $100 NLHE, (1) each of ($40 2 pt) Pineapple, Razz, and LHE. So as you can see, there is still plenty of moves to make in the standings. 30th place is within 40 pts of 12th, and there are 20 people within 40 pts of 30th. Remember that depending on turnout at the Championship Event on November 3rd, any final table finish will likely be worth 40 pts!

Coming up Saturday is the doubleheader NLHE and NL Crazy Pineapple. Pineapple is played the same as NLHE with the following exception: You are dealt 3 cards, and you discard 1 card after the flop betting is COMPLETED. The Crazy Pineapple will have a very similar structure to the $40 NLHE except play with $10,000 in chips.

We will be looking at scheduling dates for the following 2 events: The 18 person playoff for the remaining 4 Final spots, and then the 2007 Dirty River Poker Points Championship. My first thought is the Points Championship is probably going to be taking place in February to avoid scheduling conflicts with any Gold Rush FPN tournaments.

We are going to probably just schedule a Sunday for both tournaments - far enough in advance and each person will responsible to ensure they will be able to be present or they will be blinded out eventually ...