Normally this post should go under "Land based tournaments" but, I didn't want to promote it as a legit event. Boomtown in Bossier City, LA is hosting Friday BJ tournaments starting at 8:00 pm. Sign up is from noon - 9:00 pm, (yes 9:00 pm is correct). The problem I have with this weekly event is that for every week you play, you get to start with more chips than the other players at your table. Now as a local you have to be licking your chops at the thought of playing in a tournament where you get to start out in the lead (Sweet deal for the locals). Players like Couserlee and Zorro should be there every week (I would be if I lived closer). But for players like myself and others that only make it to Shreveport/Bossier City once in a while, the three hour drive to start off behind in chips makes no sense. I am assuming the marketing manager/tournament director came over from an Indian casino, this seems to be format most of them use. That is great if they just want local play, but from a marketing stand point they are killing themselves from drawing in out of town players. Speaking of Indian casinos the BEST Indian casino I play at (as far as listening to what the players want) is the Cherokee in Tulsa, OK. The Tournament director is a young man (Eric Woods) who is starting out wanting to learn everything about BJ tournaments and what brings the players in. Eric is not scared to try new things, he is going to host the 12 days of tournaments (Oct. 28th - Nov. 11th) and he just told me that the 10 hours of regular table play to qualify for their $70,000 monthly tournament is going to be lifted. That means "OPEN" to everyone for just the entry fee no more table time required before hand, (not sure when or what the fee will be). In just the last year Eric has changed or changing their tournament format to: 2 advance from each table Surrender 6 players per table (most of the time) DD after splits 3/2 for BJ Starting bankroll $500 Min. $10 Max. $200 bets Playing 24 hands (increase from only 18) Hosted last years WSOB qualifier And they are talking about possible hosting WSOB and UBT qualifying events and with any luck I would love for them to host my tour as well. Thanks Eric, your name is going up with Jimmy Wike, Les Thacker, Adolf Lepre as one of the best tournament directors around and it simply because you listen and take care of your players, WELL DONE!
