Online League: This is something IMO that isn't working. The size of the teams has a direct correlation to who wins most points over a sustained period, fact. In playing for a small team that really did overachieve last season (in terms of its numbers) we are really struggling against the sheer weight of players in teams in our division. In the 7matchdays so far, we have had 5 FT's and one winner. Which for our team size is impressive, but yet we only have 1 team point.
I never liked the new scoring system, cos it does favour large numbered teams and one thing I've never got my head round Is the conversion to 3,2,1 points for the team. I like the idea of team points/divided by team players. That gives a fair average score based on the performance of the team members. It does offer the chance for a team with a small sample of players to score points if one of their members wins vs a larger team dominating the FT with more players.
How about only the top 3 players score points from each team? That way whatever the size of the team, only the highest places from each team get points. This rewards players who finish well but because it's a smaller number who collect points it eliminates the team size advantage and concentrates on the top scorers.
Pro League: Obviously APAT wanted this to work and it was an interesting idea, it just hasn't taken off to the level that expected/wanted I think. I don't know if this is down to publicity/betfair input/financial strain of current APATers, but it just hasn't worked. For me personally, I wont buy in to these events cos of my roll but if APAT keep it, it obv needs more work for it to be a success. Because in the eyes of the standard APATer (of which I agree myself) it's taking away the field/prize pool from the Main Event.
Abroad APATs: This really revolves around APATs general goal regarding the size and success of the organization. If bigger things are in their mindset then they must continue to promote and run the foreign based events. Someone mentioned correctly that these events have been put on top of the usual UK schedule and therefore are an added bonus and not taking away from the number of UK events we are used to.
I agree with many about the financial costs of these events being a reason why they haven't played in them. My finances won't allow me to play a lot, if any of the events abroad but the way I look at it, this is APAT branching out and creating a global base of poker. The WPT/EPT etc had to start somewhere; this is the start of APAT hopefully matching that for the amateur player.
In summary, I don't think we should be scraping events because players can't afford to play in them. If they are proving successful with the fields of players abroad and its not hurting APAT financially to run them, keep it going. I can't afford to play in the WSOP Main Event every year but I sure as hell don't wanna see it scraped.
Online Championships: For me personally, Sat night is fine but Sunday night is massive for online poker. You would definitely increase the chance of pulling more entrants if we moved to a Sunday, especially if players see the added value of the seats for the winner (speaking of newbies here)
S5 Venues: I like Stus point about us Stockton lot loving the chance to get away for a weekend and I do agree there but id also love the idea of a 40min drive to an APAT event as opposed to a 3hour drive/train journey. So I support the Newcastle leg for Season 5.
Taking in the opposition of abroad events so far from this thread with regards to cost and value for a 75pound tourney, is Vegas a realistic option?
Payout Structure: First and foremost, id like to make a day two one time so I can at least have some experience to add weight to my opinion on this matter but heyho, I can still add my thoughts till I do make it!
When this first came up on another thread, there were good and bad points and at the time I thought it boils down to this: What is APATs end game with regards to running these tournaments? Someone mentioned its APATs uniqueness in payout that makes it stand out and attract its players. You aren't always necessarily better for being unique. But if this is APATs aim, then keep the structure.
However, I always thought (and could well be wrong) that APAT is a perfect training ground for a large live MTT to hone your skills against good, large fields to hopefully make the step up to larger buyin events. Everyone enters tourneys like these to win the top prize and make money for their efforts. The payout structure should reflect this and reward the players who finish the highest. Getting the same in 4th as 9th is not only poor in the sense that it changes the dynamic of play at the FT but it doesn't set up players for the same scenario in a bigger event where they should be playing for the win and not jus settling for 9th cos they wont get paid the same as 4th in these bigger events.
Day two in the money is a must if possible. It's just too frustrating for players to come back the next day with a short stack and bust before the money after spending money on another night at a hotel. If this means looking at start times for day 1 so that those left at the end of it are in the money then I believe this would work better. Maybe add two start days and playing down to a number that is guaranteed a cash. This could also allow bigger fields aswell, meeting the demands of the current APATer fanbase.
For example: 2 start days, 120 runners each. Play down to 20 each day. All in the money. Alternates contribute to the payout structure and then the money gets decent around top 15, obviously escalating to the top places. Something along those lines, for an early idea of what I'm getting at.
Great topics and debate so far and look forward to bouncing ideas of people to create a fantastic season 5. Season has been great and as ever much love to Des, Tighty, Leigh and the rest of the crew that do a fantastic job in providing the APAT experience. Big up to Betfair aswell certainly surpassed itself with what it has provided this year!
