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Categorized | CASINO NEWS
The SKYCITY celebrity invitational.
Posted on 28 August 2010
For the 3rd year in a row the nation’s laminaties descend on SKYCITY for poker glory. Come along and watch All Blacks, Warriors, Tv presenters, actors journalists and models all hoping to make their way into the main event. This year 3 will make it through to the APPT Auckland.
Where: SKYCITY Auckland Poker Zone
When: Monday September 13th, 7pm
Facebook comments:
Trying not to be the arsehole but I find this event to be a poke in the face to regular players. Last year very little publicity was raised by this event, it was populated by z grade wannabes while regular poker players the mainstay of the bloody poker scene had to watch these pricks get wined and dined for bugger all return, and I wasn’t the only one who shared these sentiments.
In short people with little interest in poker were wined and dined while regular players were given the finger.
Interesting, I’ll throw that over to Brodie from SKYCITY as he knows how much publicity it generated. I can only imagine they see it as positive for poker as they spend on it every year. I myself enjoy it and They are a mainstay of poker events around the world. Many of the invitees are media, radio, print tv etc. Without their support poker wont “be all it can be”? May be… Disagree?
I think the irritation factor here is that it takes place so close to the main event, when satellites are in demand, and takes so much table space up that regulars would rather be committed to a decent satellite.
That is a good point Simon. Infact, I think they delayed one of the satelites because of that tournament.
I have to disagree Brooke. The event doesn’t need publicity from a poker players point of view. If you’re a poker player in NZ and aren’t aware that this event is on then you’d have to have your head buried in the sand.
The only publicity I saw was in the celeb pages of the sunday mags. The Herald basically ignored the event even though it is one of the biggest sporting money events in NZ. And for television I’m not sure that they knew the event existed.
If you’re going to invite media, get a commitment from them up front otherwise fill their spots with regular poker players.
@bazzaq
I think your missing the point of the ‘Celebrity Invitational’. The average Joe Bloggs or Martin Cardno doesn’t care if Simon Watt won $xxx,xxx playing poker this year or if Daniel Francis lost $xx,xxx,xxx,xxx. But if Stacey Jones bluffs off all his chips to Daniel Carter, it’s fun to read about. You also have to remember, it’s not just about the event.. it’s about what happens afterwards. They tell their friends about it, the news spreads and more people start getting into poker.
The only change I would like to see is this:
Make it clear to the ‘celebrities’ or anyone interested in poker that it is OK to play poker.. You can play any time either online or at the casino. Instead of justifying themselves by saying “hey hey remember guys this is a free event for charity, we’re not gambling here, gambling is bad” – otherwise, what is the point?
“I have to disagree Brooke. The event doesn’t need publicity from a poker players point of view. If you’re a poker player in NZ and aren’t aware that this event is on then you’d have to have your head buried in the sand.”
It’s not aimed at poker players the idea is to generate publicity in the broad media.
” The only publicity I saw was in the celeb pages of the sunday mags. The Herald basically ignored the event even though it is one of the biggest sporting money events in NZ. And for television I’m not sure that they knew the event existed.”
One of the large papers ran a huge story on Richard Lancaster, but once again it’s more of a SKYCITY question in terms of if they get value from the event. I’m guessing they do.
“If you’re going to invite media, get a commitment from them up front otherwise fill their spots with regular poker players.”
I’m not sure this would work. Editorial is hard to come by so I’m guessing demanding it would go down like a c up of hot sick. As for replacing media with regular players. What would that achieve outside of giving players a free ticket for nothing lol…
I understand that it’s frustrating that it’s so close to the Main Event but let’s face it. It’s been in the schedule for months! { bazzaq no sat was moved for it. In fact the celeb event was one of the first dates locked down – correct me if I’m wrong Toni? }. This year the event will generate 3 tickets, lots of attention for poker and no doubt some people who had no idea the Festival was on will read / hear about it. If it upsets people that some sports people and shorty stars get a free ticket into the event then noted. Perhaps audition for shorty next year, then lock down a spot.
I agree with you Brooke. Its very HARD trying to promote a Poker Event here in N.Z. We dont get noticed and promoted as we should. I know this for a fact in organiing the Poker World Record Event we have coming in late November. T.V and the media dont want to know so it has become a Necessity in N.Z at this stage to have the poeple with the people pulling power to make this event stand out and successful.
One day New Zealand will the Recognition we so rightly deserve, but until then it no use being a “Tall Poppy”. Lets just get on with it and do what we love doing…Playing damn fine poker….Viva La Poker NZ