It’s sunny, birds are singing in the trees, and the world is opening again. After the casino reopened, many states have adapted to ten or nine-handed poker. After many years of waiting and a long, hard wait, we can enjoy the poker tournaments we love. Or do we?
We are within New England, which we once ranked as “one of” the five most desirable locations in America to reside if you are a poker fan. In February 2020, seven poker rooms hosted large tournaments (which I would define as frequently having more than 50 participants) within New England. There is currently only one ( Filotimo Casino메이저놀이터, located in Manchester, New Hampshire, If you’re interested). The majority of these businesses are operational. Two of them, Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield, are still thriving as casinos, but they have been able to stop their poker tables “indefinitely”. The remaining four casinos are seated at the most cash-based tables the space allows; however, they have decided not to restart tournaments “at this point”.
Recently, I contacted other players to find out if the issue is local (time to relocate?) or if tournaments are being delayed elsewhere in the United States. The reports indicate that this is an issue of widespread concern. There needed to be more tournaments in cities such as Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, Seattle, Detroit, and even LA. However, there are places where tournament-based poker flourishes. Florida, Texas, Maryland, and Vegas are all home to various tournaments to choose from.
When we update these Open Poker 메이저놀이터Rooms articles we write to help with Advanced Poker Training, we discover more evidence of losses to tournaments. Several places we’ve before visited for games, including Dania Beach in Florida, the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, and the Playground in Montreal, are currently out of tournaments. In California, 44 of 65 poker rooms with five or more tables have been reopened to business. But, there are only eight poker rooms offer tournaments throughout the state. Even the mainstays, such as The Bay 101 and the Bicycle Casino, declare “no thank you” to the tournament action.
All across the country, Of the 199 poker rooms that hosted events in February of 2020, only 55 still do. Nearly three-quarters of the previously hosted tournaments’ rooms are shut down or cash-only today.
There is also a decrease in the total amount of tournaments being held in rooms that are back to games. Spaces that previously hosted daily tournaments are now hosting tournaments on weekends. Some, like Aria, for instance. Aria once had multiple matches a day are now offering just one game.
What’s going on? What can an avid poker player in a tournament do?
Why Have All the Poker Tournaments Gone?
Cash Play Makes More Money Than Tournaments
We all know that poker tournaments can be loss-makers as they do not generate any money for the cardroom. Additionally, many dealers dislike these events because an experienced dealer will earn far more money in tips than the cash table. There is currently an immense need for players. Even the smallest poker rooms that may have had two or three tables before the current times can now fill all their tables that are open to players, and have lengthy waiting lists, too.
Some poker rooms continue to restrict players who can play at the cash tables. For instance, despite permission to hold full-ring games in New Hampshire, most poker rooms have eight people at each table. For a time, there was only seven players. For an explanation of how this impacts the rake (and therefore the profit) read our post on the poker rake.
Dealer Shortages
Similar to other unpaid professions, dealers are reluctant to resume their jobs. The problem is that almost every card shop advertising dealers in New England. Some rooms blame staffing problems as the reason they have yet to start tournament play. If rooms aren’t staffed, these dealers will have to operate at cash tables, not tournaments.
Rooms Have Closed or Shrunk
There are fewer poker rooms available than they were two years ago. In all, the nation has lost around 31 per cent of its online poker venues in permanent “temporary” (only moment will be able to tell) closing. In California alone 21 out of 65 poker rooms are currently inactive. Even Vegas has lost 12 rooms over the past two years, which includes such essential establishments as the Mirage, Excalibur, and Cannery Row.
Most of the poker rooms still in operation have eliminated tables and decreased capacity. A few in response to the rules and regulations for pandemic safety. Others seek to boost overall revenues by replacing tables at poker with table games, slots or even table games. Since the world of poker is opening up again, rooms have needed to be faster to get those tables back. With the number of cash waiting lists growing, rooms are reluctant to resume tournaments.
