Ignace T-News

This tourney has 115 players and there was no offsite rooms being paid for by Ignace, as had happened in the past.

The fact that the old hotel was closed and their desire to only place players in the new hotel seems to have caused alot of the entrance problems. The hotel was basically being reserved for players that give plenty of action. Thus regulars that do give plenty of action and decided to play in the BJ tourney, but rarely had in the past, were allowed in over a regular tourney player with no or borderline action.

CP

 

more on T-Neews

In my discussion with Dee Ann, she told me that another event for that weekend had also been thrown in her lap at the last minute and that was another factor in the hotel being full.

However, when I offered to find my own hotel, she said that the tournament was full and waitlisted, and that a lot of folks on the waiting list had a lot more table time on the books than me. So I could see at that point that it was a no-go for me.

It's funny because I am invited and comped to the awards banquet in the Soo a few weeks later.

 

Jonny

 

We both received invitations to that as well. Both of them also included a card that said we'd been nominated for an unspecified award, which raised my eyebrows since neither of us has managed to win a dime in the Ignace BJT's. Yet.

Unfortunately, it's the same weekend as the Iowa BJT, so we won't be at the Soo that weekend.

 

Leftnut

left,

You were nominated for VP since you run so much money through the $1 VP.

I was nominated for BJ Player Of The Year and I never won a tourney.

CP

 

Left

Actually you may be up for BJ tourney player of the year since you may have bet more at the BJ tourney in real action than any other players, on those VP machines.

CP

 

Now there's an interesting concept.
Naming someone BJT Player of the Year based on side action alone???? :laugh:

 

Lefty

I think that is what is going on, seriously. Policy right now is very confusing and strange.

CP

 

Hard to figure!

So it looks like they've reduced the amount of entrants by about 27-28% but are still paying the same guaranteed purse.
That is a commendable thing for them to do and it dramatically increases the SV (thanks again toolman1, for that term) for us that are in. However, I still don't like seeing the several good people that I'm aware of being shut out this time. It makes no economic sense from Kewadin's standpoint that I can see.

Billy C

Billy C

 

Caution

This is strictly a dollars and cents thing, there has been talk of ending them altogether.

The CAUTION part is the bar for BJ heat has been LOWERED. Be careful, very careful.

CP

 

Results?

When I was eliminated (2nd round) I think Angel Run was the only member from here still in contention. Think all the rest experienced the same misfortune as me.
Angel Run made semis for sure and hopefully more. LeftNut, Monkey, or Schultzy will probably post something soon.

Billy C

 

So how was the attendance? Are they going to keep the tournament only for those who have a record of play? Are those on the lower end of "desirable" forced to say off-site and pay their own motel in addition to the tournament entry fee? Is their off-site motel permanently closed?

 

Results

To all BJT mavens,

Pete junior won the tourney, the second in his fine career, along with a few final finishes. He along with Mr. Mayo should be elevated to the Ignace BJ hall of Fame as 2 first place winners and a number of final table flourishes.

In the quest to save money I am not at all surprised that Peggy was let go, I figured either her or Ernie. I am saddened by this event, however. Kewadin has let many go in these bad economic times but much to their credit have not raised the HE on any games. Detroits Greektown is the anvil around their neck.

Twin City RN also made the semis but did not move on,, losing in the same round as Angel.

I find it strange that the greatest BJT players in the World, from this site, did not make the final table. I truly wish you all had.

I hope you all stay POSITIVE and get back into play, as often as you can.

As for me... that is eaxctly what I plan on doing, with very bad, extreme, intentions

CP

 

Ignace rating

As to the rating of players...if you can stay over the Sunday night and play it will look much better as you are not hitting and running, but staying after the tourney and giving action. I know that I and the wife always stay and play on Sunday and if we are leaving do not do so until around 6pm. We put alot of play, many hours all 3 days.. and at this point we are accepted, immediately, with no questions asked into any tourney we request.

I think it is better to have 115 in the BJ tourney, and clearly Kewadin is tired of being taken for a ride on Tourney packages. But DAMN, those are GREAT packages and I would hate to see them go.

BTW nice talking with you Leftnut, a real honor!:1st:

CP

 

No Answers

They terminated their tournament director (Peggy) one or two days before tourney so most of your questions are hard to answer. I think she was also the table games manager. Supposedly, they told her that the position was being eliminated.
Other half of the tourney team (Ernie) was there and did his usual good job. Peggy was missed by myself and several others felt the same way.
Apparently Kewadin transferred the GM from their Sault casino to St. Ignace just recently so his/her philosophy will determine most of the answers to these questions. The timing of Peggy's release is surprising at best.
The event was well ran per usual. I didn't see or hear of any problems or complaints.
I really enjoyed seeing many old friends and making some new ones.

Billy C

 

The last time I was at St. Ignace was 2 or 3 years ago. At that time there were some "poor attitude" problems among the dealers because a dealer approaching 10 years of service was let go. At that time the dealers were of the opinion that the casino routinely fired people approaching 10 years of service because at that point more benefits are due the employee so the casino's simple solution was to fire them. I'm not saying that is true, only repeating what the dealers said. Question: Could this have been Peggy's fate?

 

Could be

That's very possible and that tactic is widely used in many industries. I'd sooner think that the new GM is going to be the "hero" and belt tighten in many ways which doesn't bode well for our community either.
Watch for the SV to drop like a rock!

Billy C

 

It was, indeed, excellent to see so many BJT friends there again and renew friendships.
That part of the weekend was quite enjoyable and we're already looking forward to August -
when Deb's birthday happens to fall right on that weekend! Party time!!!!

AngelRun (Deb) did make the semifinals, as did TwinCitiesRN, but both ladies went card-dead and could not advance. It does boggle my mind - the lack of final table appearances from our BJT.com members at these Ignace events. I cannot recall a single one of us ever making it there in my relatively short time in this game. Absolutely amazing.

I'm not about to relate what happened to me at the tournament tables, there were others who witnessed the repeated mind-blowing debacles.

CP, it was MY pleasure to speak with you, hope we can again soon!