“Is it a bad look for the owner of a card room to final table and/or possibly win a big tournament at their own room?”
That was the straightforward query poker professional and proprietor of the Lodge Poker Club Doug Polk posed this week as a part of a Twitter ballot. After making the ultimate desk of the venue’s Mayhem essential occasion in in Round Rock, Texas, Polk was a bit shocked on the response from gamers.
While simply over 63% of respondents mentioned there was no situation with Polk taking part in in tournaments, nearly 19% mentioned that taking part in an occasion at his personal property and making a remaining desk was a nasty look. Another 18% responded that they weren’t positive or didn’t care.
“Crazy to me that 3 out of 10 people think it’s a bad look for me to play tournaments at [my cardroom],” Polk mentioned.
Mixed Opinions On Issue
This isn’t the primary time that Polk made a deep run at this personal place. In 2022, the Lodge hosted a $2 million assured occasion that had an overlay of $334,100. Polk completed fourth in that match, cashing for $142,000.
This match additionally featured a slight overlay on its $1 million assure.
WPT Executive Tour Director Matt Savage mentioned there could possibly be some moral points surrounding missed ensures in most of these conditions.
“It’s bad in my opinion only if you are missing the guarantee and entering and reentering for what appears [to be] for free,” he posted. “I’ve played events in my tournament festivals and charity events for promotional purposes, and it helps because I’m not a pro.”
Is it a nasty search for the proprietor of a card room to play money video games at their very own room?
— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) November 26, 2024
Moneymaker Tour Executive Director Tony Burns expressed related reservations about house owners and administration mixing it up in tournaments. Playing within the match may make different gamers imagine there could possibly be biased rulings and different selections that might profit the membership proprietor.
“Most players know us and our reputation that we wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the integrity of the game we’ve worked hard at and love,” he famous. “I’m frequently asked why I don’t play in events on the Moneymaker Tour. Since I often have access to the chips, make rulings or work with ones that make the final ruling, I’ve made the decision not to play to avoid the perception. Truth of the matter is that there are players that don’t know us, conspiracy theorists, and others that look to blame their misfortunes on something.”
Others had been supportive of Polk taking part in tournaments and bringing some enjoyable to the ultimate desk dwell stream, together with six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Josh Arieh.
“I think your honorable reputation has earned you the right to do so,” he mentioned. “Yes, there are some spots (where) this would look bad, but if you won, people wouldn’t call foul. They would just compare it to a lightning strike of luck.”
Despite having the chip lead at one level, Polk in the end completed sixth for $40,000. The win in the end went to Terry Morales, who chopped heads-up with Austin Apicella for $163,375 every.
After initially indicating he would step away from tournaments on the property, Polk later reconsidered and plans on mixing in some occasions often.
“I will be continuing to play cash games at Lodge Poker Club and might play the odd big tournament,” he posted. “If that is something that upsets you, then please do not sign up to play at our club when we have an event going!”
Crazy to me that 3 out of 10 individuals suppose its a nasty search for me to play tournaments @LodgePokerClub.
While I believe they’re lifeless mistaken, I’ll doubtless be stepping away from taking part in in tournaments on the lodge shifting ahead.
I desire money anyway https://t.co/pGwNLOqDbm
— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) November 26, 2024
I shall be persevering with to play money video games @LodgePokerClub and may play the odd huge match. If that’s one thing that upsets you, then please don’t signal as much as play at our membership when now we have an occasion going!
— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) November 27, 2024
$1200$163,375
Congrats to Terry Morales and Austin Apicella for chopping the $1,000,000 GTD Mayhem Main Event @LodgePokerATX for $163,375 every!
They each efficiently maneuvered a stacked remaining desk to earn these large scores.
A full remaining desk replay could be discovered on… pic.twitter.com/Y2w9YRjWeX
— Lodge Card Club (@LodgePokerClub) November 26, 2024
