Casinos and poker rooms are re-opening again in Las Vegas, the battle against the covid19 is far from over. Guidelines and restrictions are in place to protect the players from being infected. Poker which is a social game is also adapting to the new change. 

Here is a second look on the Venetian’s new multi-table format.

A different type of shoot out

A shootout tournament is a tournament where only a limited set of players are allowed to compete. the tournament will have 1 winner that would qualify to the next level. usually, 9 or 10 players will play it out and the winner will go to the next level.

While there are shootouts that do not have the second level and are strictly a sit and go tournament. the modification implemented by the Venetian is interesting.

A cap is introduced where a tournament will have only 80 players.

80 players will be seated in 12 tables and will have only 5 players per table.

Winners of the 12 tables will then qualify for the next round.

12 players will now be split into 4 tables and the 4 winners will then qualify for the final table.

The innovation is interesting as it maintains the restriction per table for the players while the core idea of a tournament is kept intact.

It was warmly received in the Venetians as the 80 seats were sold out before the tournament started. but can it be applied to Asian countries?

Restrictions 

Number of tables

Poker rooms have to modify the number of players allowed on the table. However in Las Vegas, even when the cap for players of 5-6 per table. Players actually line up and played more. In some rooms, the waiting list is actually longer than the number of players playing. Unless you are a room with a good number of tables, strictly following the format is not desirable.

The guarantee

Without a guarantee, players may not be attracted to play and would rather play cash games. a big guarantee could become be hard to recover if only a few play.

The format

The blind structure and the payout. these are important things to consider.

There is one room in Manila that has actively push shootout. However, the structure was less than desirable as it became a shove fest format.

Is it worth the risk?

Innovations always carry risk, after all a bad mistake can cost the company money. Especially during this pandemic were the health of the players is at stake versus the need to maintain operation.

The big question is “Is it worth the risk?”

The answer is a big yes.

In countries like for example, the Philippines which is having a hard time controlling the virus even with a long period of lockdown but has a need to jumpstart the economy, it would be difficult to wait it out.

A vaccine could take a long time and Manila actually is getting competitive. there are probably new Casinos and poker rooms coming out that could split the market even further. When a vaccine does come out. it may have become a very competitive market.

There is a golden opportunity for poker houses to stand out which could be beneficial in the long run. player loyalty could be developed and even when the vaccine is discovered and new competitors come out. players would stick to certain houses.

Branding becomes an important thing to consider in this new market. 

Possible innovations

The Venetians shoot out format is very interesting, to say the least. some of the benefits of that format are that players can now practice their shorthand plays.

The heads-up tournament could make a comeback as it is safe.

The tournament can be modified where the next phase will have scheduled time and allow a more flexible first phase.

Guarantees can be set per how many first phase tables have been set. or a more limited number of payout to make the champion purse worthy.

OFC tournaments have been able to pull such things off.

there is still a lot of things that can be done. But in the end, it is up to the poker room to make it happen. 

Hope to see you soon poker playas!