If there were to be any changes to the Million Dollar Tournament format which one's would you like to see.
satellites Satellites and especially supersatellites would make great additions – on one condition that you could sell the seat once you have your own. S. Yama
million $ tourney. wild cards are fine for the monthly tourneys....but not for the final......it just doesn't seem right to have someone win from a draw to the final table...unless it is me ...then it's not a bad idea.....an on-line qualifier would be good for those not living in Vegas.....selling your extra seat could get a little interesting.....for the amount of the entry fee....sure....but it is worth more than that and some would be glad to pay more than that......
I like three of your changes Every since the first year of the Million Dollar tournament I have been in favor of having some changes. Jimmy Wike at the first finals even joked about all the suggestion he had gotten over the year and special thanks to me for giving him the most LOL. Here are a few things I suggested (among others) some of which have already been changed. 1. Time Limit: at first we only had 10 seconds to make our play, it was changed around the fourth tournament to 30 seconds. 2. Max. Bet: The first year the max. was $5,000, it was changed to $2,500 for the second and thrid years. I would like to see it dropped to $1,000 max. personally. 3. Re-Buys: YES! A $500 would be great, exspecially for out of town players. I along with other players would much rather pay an extra $500 while still out in Las Vegas then another $1,000 entry and travel expence to come out another month. This would also be a plus for the hosting casino, it would help cover prize money on months with a smaller player turnout. 4. Satellites (A) Landbased/Cruises: YES! I have talked about satellites for years. Once again I among with several other players have tried to get casinos to host satellite tournaments for the MD events only to be told NO! The marketing at most casinos "SUCK" and they don't understand that by hosting a satellite event they would be bringing in business into their casinos, they look at it as they would be helping the Las Vegas Hilton. Even when PPE owned the LVH other PPE properties refused to host satellite events. The Cruise ship multi-tournaments I am working on for next October will host several satellite events during the 8 day Mexican Riviera cruise along with three major tournaments (still tenitive). (B) Online: YES! I have written some formats for a couple of online casinos companies. I think it is the future of all tournament play )for bigger prize money). All you have to do is look at poker to see how online satellites have effected the prize money for tournaments. Global casino (as far as I know) is the only online casino hosting a true elimination style blackjack tournament at this time. They have had a few bugs, but they are working them out and I think most players are very happy with the results. One thing positive about Global they have taken care of anyone that had a problem in their first few events. I am hoping to host weekly satellites with Global for seats on the up coming cruise once it is lock down (still tenitive). Extra Seats: As far as extra qualifing spots, I think a player should be able to sell their extra seat. I think a silent acution the night before the event would make for the most fair way to sell their extra seat. Since it was the players choice to play again in a qualifing event once they already were in I don't think it should be up to them the amount it is sold for or who may buy it, plus an auction should bring in the most money for you. Wild Cards: I hate them, but I understand the casinos point of view. However I don't believe a wild card should be allowed in passed the quarterfinals. To make money I think a player should win their way into the semi and final rounds. Deal Cards Down: What about players cards dealt down? All of a sudden the game gets a lot tougher. Cutting Deals in the Finals: Yes! Poker does it and I would say the results have been positive. Why should the casinos care if all the players agree to a deal? As long as the casinos are not held responsible why not let the players split the prize pool, 1099 tax forms can be give out by the winner to the other players and or the casinos could just split the funds up on the checks. The amount given out from the casinos will be the same either way and for the publicity they can still give away the over sized check to the winner. Number of Hands: Why change horses in the middle of the stream? If we start with 30 hands lets finish with 30 hands, why cut down to 28? I never understood this? Buying Players and or Calcuttas: This was another suggestion Jimmy liked and tried to put in play before he was transfered (Ceasars). Put odds in the sportsbook on the players who will be playing in the finals. This way everybody could get into the action and the sportsbooks would love it. Or host a Calcutta after the final 8 players are Wild Carded in the night before play starts.
Devil's Advocate It's reassuring to see some of the members looking toward an MD4 despite rumors that it may not happen. The changes listed thus far would certainly boost the perceptabily of skill in BJ tournaments; I agree with a one-time rebuy, fewer wild cards and satellites. Here's my humble opinion on the other suggestions: A $1,000 max bet may negatively affect certain end-play techniques, such as encouraging an opponent's error (comments from the on-board faculty would be in order here). If players who have qualified more than once can sell their seats, why should the Hilton continue their $1000 reimbursement to the top 19 players? Feel free to enlighten me, but I just don't see that as positively impacting tournament travel expenses. Since the final table consistently begins with 7 players, the 28-hand policy was instituted from a sense of fairness so that each player is on the button an equal number of times if no one busts out. I see no harm in this. The Hilton's 2-deck game with surrender (and a smaller starting bankroll) could make for an interesting, but seperate, tournament. It'd be a great idea if the LVH would care to expand its "house of tournaments" image. Imagine yourself as a novice player who's just viewed the MD2 on the Travel Channel. You register, then find out the tournament has changed radically - what would your reaction be? Bottom line: I'm in favor of certain changes, just not too many (why kill the goose that lays the golden BJ tournament opportunity?).
Million Dollar VI I feel pretty comfortable that if the LV Hilton does not host the Million Dollar VI tournament next year that it will be picked up by another casino. If the LV Hilton does drop the tournament it will be because it wasn't working for the casino (drawing in the players) in which case changes will be needed to make it work better. Here is my opinion in response to your opinions. 1) I believe most players would like a lower max. bet (I know Walt and I would). I bet if a poll was taken most would as well. What is the skill of betting all you have or in this case ($2,500) on the last bet and hitting a Blackjack after getting out played the entire round? The MD tournament should be made more to cater to the skill players then the lucky. With a lower max. bet I believe more strategy can be played (like at the New Frontier tournaments). 2) Poker sells their extra seats and they seem to be doing pretty well! Why not try it (atleast one year) and aucution them off after the wild card drawings the night before the tournament finals start. As far as the $1,000 reimbursements from the casino why shouldn't they still pay them? The players still have to win to get there and they are only getting their entry fee back. This would only create a reason for most players to get back in and increase the turnout for each monthly event (a plus for the casino and to get the event running). 3) I too see no problem with 28 hands, if we start with 28! What I don't care for is playing 30 up intil the finals and then changing. All I am saying is lets keep it the same all the way through the tournament. 4) If the tournament is not working now then changes have to be made. I would think any player skilled or new would checkout the rules before playing in any event. I can see a new player getting upset about rule changes in an event they have played in before. It seems a new player would be more upset about trying to sign up for the Las Vegas Hiltons Million Dollar VI tournament only to find out they're not having one next year, wouldn't that be pretty radical for a new player?
LVH M$ Tournament, my two cents Rumors were rampant at the December qualifier that the Golden Nugget would take over the Million$ tournament after May. The appearance of Tim Poster (co-owner of the Nugget) as a participant in the December tournament and comments he made afterwards helped fuel the rumors. In my opinion, the main problem with the LVH M$ is one of marketing, not that changes talked about in this thread do not make sense. One only has to compare GSN's marketing of it's tournament versus the pathethic effort of the Travel Channel to wonder what a GSN/Golden Nugget alliance would deliver on the marketing side.
I agree Nicely put BJFAN4, I think you are on the right track. As far as GSN they filmed the World Series of Blackjack this passed November (at the Golden Nugget) and it will be seen starting next month January 21. Hell the MD III tournament was filmed back last May by the Travel Channel and we still haven't seen it on TV yet. Lets face it the Travel Channel has the World Poker Tour and Blackjack tournaments are not important to them, YET! Now on the other hand GSN's highest rated new show last year was the World Series of Blackjack and they are pushing the Blackjack. A partnership between GSN and the Golden Nugget could make for an interesting new tournament concept. If the Las Vegas Hilton stops hosting the Million Dollar Blackjack tournaments I could see it fitting in well downtown at the Golden Nugget. One sad note is I would sure miss Les Tacker (LVH) running the event if it does move. Les has always gone out of his way for the players.
LVH Rules Can someone please tell me where to find the specific rules of the tournament that relate to all of the topics. I have not participated in the tournament but am interested in doing so. I tried the LVH web site but did not discover the detailed rules there. I am most interested in learning about the wild card situation, which I have not seen before in a tournament format. Any help will be appreciated.
LVH MD III Format & Rules Round 1: Up to 200 players - 4 sessions - 10 tables 5 players per table Top two advance from each table/80 total Wild Cards: 20 to round 2 Round 2: 100 players - 2 sessions - 10 tables 5 players per table Top two advance from each table/40 total Wild Cards: 8 to round 3 Round 3: - MAGIC ROUND - WIN HERE IN YOUR IN THE FINALS! 48 players - 1 session - 8 tables 6 players per table Top two advance from each table/16 total Wild Cards: 2 to round 4 Round 4: 18 players - 1 session - 3 tables 6 players per table Top two advance from each table/6 total Round 5: FINALS 7 players Prizes: 1st - $20,000 2nd - $10,000 3rd - $ 6,000 4th - $ 3,500 5th - $ 2,500 6th - $ 2,000 7th - $ 1,500 8th - 18th - $1,000 each Rules: Start with $5,000, $100 minimum and $2,500 maximum bets. Surrender offered, VERBAL command only! 30 hands in Round 1 - 4, 28 for the finals. 30 second time limit for each play. Hands rotate. No smoking or drinking at the tables. Hope this helps you out Springbac.
Rules Here's a link to the current rules at the Hilton's site: http://www.lvhilton.com/index.php?PID=RULES
New name mentioned I heard yesterday that Bally's (Las Vegas) might be taking over the Million Dollar Blackjack tournament. Most of the rumors have been about the Golden Nugget if the Las Vegas Hilton doesn't continue the tournament.
