APL update

My current information is that APL will carry on in New Zealand, but its operation has been drastically scaled back. The only game still played under full APL rules will be played at the Porirua club on Mondays. The APL monthly finals and nationals will go ahead, and players who have already qualified for these events will be allowed to play.

There are also a few games, referred to as "minor league" games, which are not played under standard APL rules, but which provide qualifiers to APL's monthly finals. These typically involve an entry fee. I don't know at this stage whether or not the "minor league" games will continue their association with APL.

The So Bar is no longer hosting poker. The Bellevue Gardens and the Glass House will carry on as independent games. Additionally a new game has been started at the Little Totara in Totara Park, Upper Hutt on Thursdays. These 3 games have a $5 entry fee and are run by Ryan (ex-APL), with similar rules to APL. At this stage the games are indepdendent, and not part of a league.

If anyone knows more about this than I do please feel free to leave me a comment. Meantime, I'll update my "where to play" entries.

APL pulling out of NZ?

Still at the rumour stage, but it looks like there will no longer be an APL presence in New Zealand. Existing APL games will most likely carry on as independent games. I'll keep you updated.

Raffles suck

One practice that is very prevalent in New Zealand, and very destructive to good poker, is the practise of holding raffles for extra chips at the beginning of a tournament.

Yes, I realise that the bar/club must make a profit, and the organisers (i.e. the poker league or club) must make a profit, and that ultimately the profit must come from the players. But the players want a fair competition, where skill rather than spending power is the deciding factor.

It's a fine balancing act, and to some extent all leagues are forced to compromise the fairness and integrity of the game to serve the interests of their hosts. But the practice of holding raffles for extra chips is an abomination for any serious poker player, and is possibly illegal under the Gambling Act 2003.

Kudos to APL for saying NO to raffles! (By the way I am in no way affiliated with APL).