If you havent heard the news, Annie Duke has gone and started a Pro Poker League. Taking a queue from the PGA, there are performance requirements needed to be considered to receive a card, and it seems the cards are tiered in 2,3, and 5 year segments.
I feel conflicted on this, on one hand it seems like some of the name pros got tired of the "luck" factor and they are taking their deck and going home with it.
As someone who started playing right before the Moneymaker boom, it feels like a slap in the face, these name PROS were ok with the poker schlubs when it meant exposure on TV and living a lifestyle akin to a rockstar with fans, but since its made their ability to win the elite tournaments harder due to thousands upon thousands of entrants in these contests, they decide to make an elite club that only those they deem worthy to enter be included.
On the other hand, I do like the idea of having a pro league that rewards the consistently best players in the game with bragging rights. It gives that poker player who is trying to be the best something to strive for.
Im curious what most of the BBT bloggers think, I would assume the more accomplished bloggers would be in favor of this league and the more casual players would think its childish and selfish.
Thoughts?
I feel conflicted on this, on one hand it seems like some of the name pros got tired of the "luck" factor and they are taking their deck and going home with it.
As someone who started playing right before the Moneymaker boom, it feels like a slap in the face, these name PROS were ok with the poker schlubs when it meant exposure on TV and living a lifestyle akin to a rockstar with fans, but since its made their ability to win the elite tournaments harder due to thousands upon thousands of entrants in these contests, they decide to make an elite club that only those they deem worthy to enter be included.
On the other hand, I do like the idea of having a pro league that rewards the consistently best players in the game with bragging rights. It gives that poker player who is trying to be the best something to strive for.
Im curious what most of the BBT bloggers think, I would assume the more accomplished bloggers would be in favor of this league and the more casual players would think its childish and selfish.
Thoughts?
2 comments:
It isn't a new concept. Since the Boom and probably before, there were lots of attempts of creating a pro league. I think its just logical. The PGA has open events (I think), and so can poker's version. The key is that a league creates a consistent product that can be sold to the masses. It organizes things so that we don't just have a bunch of standalone events or yearly series. It is also obviously a marketing boon, since the players involved can be marketed more consistently. And it adds a bit of professionalism to the game.
So I am all for it. These players are still going to play the WSOP with the masses, but now there will hopefully also be a league that can highlight the professionals in the "sport."
Yeah, the WPT tried it for a while with the PPT. And Chip Reese was trying to organize one for a while. The concept has been around for a while, and while I think it will cause smaller tournaments to close shop, I can see open tournaments "following" the league around. Pros have their league and after that tournament, they play in an open one.
Post a Comment