having looked at all the comments on this, feel i want to have my say. team selection is and has too be the captains choice. to introduce a selection on ranking points is a joke. its like the fa saying the top 11 performing players on ranking or .... and these are the playings going to the world cup.
also a ranking system ignores some issues, like players putting individual events before country. shame on them, do you think a footballer who put himself before country would ever play for said country again?
A ranking system does not allow for players in my situation. when this season dates were announced they were a disaster for me as i am working all but the english champs (which i played). unlike most of you i do not get to select my holidays, i am told when i am off. having said that, i got a phone call from gordon saying he was finding it hard to get a scottish team together and would i play. now for those of you who do not know me. I have in the past had a successful motorcycle racing career, played football to high level and tennis at club level. I have a trophy cabinet bursting with trophies, including a bronze replica from the iom tt races. But just being asked to rep scotland was one of my proudest moments and pulling on that blue jersey well to say i was bursting with pride would be an understatement. As for receiving a bronze in prague, for me the greatest moment ever, including my tt success. so i said yes. i travelled and played in both the home nations and european games. in both these events i was unable to play the main events as i had to return home for work and i would do the same again. country before individual and if you do not think that way shame on you, you do not warrent your countrys shirt. as for me i would sell my soul to the devil for scotland.
But this isnt football.
Footballers get paid per appearance
Poker players have to pay for appearance, and then have to earn they "pay" by going deep.
Play 1x comp with 3 others contributing to your result. Small prizepools and turbo sngs. High Varience and time consuming.
or Play the whole festival with bigger prize pools, and where you have a greater edge and expected ROI?
I can see why some would like to play for their country, i have recently had the opportunity, but if poker is part of your income, then you can see why some would choose not to play.
does not matter what sport or game it is. your countries shirt means more than just money. about 25% of my income comes from poker but i would pay with no chance of prize money to pull on the blue shirt so no i do not get where you are coming from.
I have played for my country in sports outside of poker also.
Very proud to wear the shirt with the best players from England, against the best players in the world. I had to qualify for that opportunity. I wasnt just selected.
Difference is, with Amateur poker, is that no-one has qualified and there isnt a Team Manager that knows all the players inside out. Also, as Chris says, the scheduling can be detrimental. He is well within his rights to turn down an invite, if he feels its detrimental to his chance of winning POTY and Vegas Package.
Surely POTY is the highest accolade that you can win in the season? Being the most consistant performer as an individual, and the best player on the tour for that year. Surely thats a bigger achievement than being selected for Country?
If Chris wins the rankings, he should be invited next year when nothing is on the line?
I was chuffed to be picked for England for the Homes, and really gutted after my performance at DTD to not get reselcted for Euros in Prague. Also wanted to be featured in the Worlds set up, but as we know that prob wont happen.
However, if i was in the top 3 of the POTY rankings, id step aside and let someone else play for England.
