DesD Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 <?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><?xml:namespace prefix = w ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" /><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />London, January 18, 2007 – The Amateur Poker Association & Tour (“APATâ€) today released entry details for the third live event in its critically acclaimed Tour for non professional players. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> APAT, the world’s first combined Poker Association and Tour, will hold its third live event, the Welsh Amateur Poker Championship, at the Grosvenor Casino in Cardiff, on February 24th & 25th, 2007. Players will start the event with 10,000 in chips and a tournament structure which has been designed to encourage creative play throughout. APAT tournament rules, which have been standardised across all tour venues, will be in operation at Grosvenor Cardiff. The event, which will have a capacity of 180 players, will attract some of the finest amateur players in the United Kingdom¸ who will compete for the Welsh national title, a first prize of £3,500 and an $8,900 expenses paid entry to the German leg of the European Poker Tour in March, courtesy of Tour sponsor PokerStars.com. Entry to the Welsh Amateur Poker Championship will be open exclusively to members of APAT, and tournament seats will be allocated in the following way:- Ten seats will be available via two online satellites on PokerStars.com. The $10 + $1 tournaments will run on January 21st and 23rd at 8.00pm. Registration will open 24 hours before the event and the top five players in each satellite will win a guaranteed seat in Cardiff plus the balance of available prize money for expenses. The satellites can be found under Tourney / Special on the PokerStars.com client from this coming weekend. Five seats will be available via a live satellite taking place at Grosvenor Cardiff. The £10 + £3 tournament will run on January 25th at 8.00pm. Registration for this event will be available via Grosvenor Cardiff, and Grosvenor Casinos nationwide, from January 20th at 2pm. A maximum of 120 players will be able to enter the satellite, and the seats plus the balance of available prize money will go to the top five players for expenses. One hundred and sixty five seats will be on sale at www.apat.com from January 27th at 8.00pm sharp. Seats will cost £75.00 each and 100% of entry fees will go directly in the prize pool. APAT’s previous event, the United Kingdom Amateur Poker Championship sold out two hundred and ten seats in a record twenty nine minutes. APAT Chairman, Tony Kendall, stated: “APAT is delighted to partner with Grosvenor, the leading provider of live tournament poker in the UK. APAT has established itself as the affordable proving ground for talented amateur players in the UK, and we look forward to bringing our members to Cardiff, for what should be an outstanding event, at an outstanding venue.†Russell Tamplin, National Poker Manager for Grosvenor, added: “Grosvenor Casinos are very happy to be hosting such a prestigious tournament for APAT, at our Cardiff Casino. We feel that it will compliment our own GUKPT tournament taking place at Cardiff in March, and very much look forward to working with APAT on this exciting event.†Membership of the Amateur Poker Association & Tour can be obtained online at www.apat.com. Individual membership costs £10.00. Tournaments scheduled throughout the next six months include the Scottish, Irish, European and World Amateur Poker Championships. For additional information, logos or images, call Richard Prew on 07887 987044, email: [email protected], or visit the Press section at www.apat.com. Ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie_D Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Cheers, Des. Looking forward to it! Jim's joping to set up a game in Bristol with the tractor boys on the Friday...wanna come? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesD Posted January 18, 2007 Author Share Posted January 18, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Cheers, Des. Looking forward to it! Jim's joping to set up a game in Bristol with the tractor boys on the Friday...wanna come? Thanks Paulie. I will probably be travelling down on the Saturday morning so may have to give that one a miss....shame, because I have no doubt it would be an "experience" ;0) Regards, Des. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmuzeman Posted January 18, 2007 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship How dyou know if 'amateurs' or 'pros' are joining I dont really get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morlspin Posted January 20, 2007 Share Posted January 20, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Five seats will be available via a live satellite taking place at Grosvenor Cardiff. The £10 + £3 tournament will run on January 25th at 8.00pm. Registration for this event will be available via Grosvenor Cardiff, and Grosvenor Casinos nationwide, from January 20th at 2pm. A maximum of 120 players will be able to enter the satellite, and the seats plus the balance of available prize money will go to the top five players for expenses bit unfair if ya live a 800miles round trip away, seats for locals/casino prefered players should be gained the same way as everyone else, either online or in the click fest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
equinoxx Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Hmmm, so non-APAT members can enter the satellites. This isn't what I paid my membership for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avongirl Posted January 21, 2007 Share Posted January 21, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship It doesn't say non-members can enter. The on-line satellites will presumably be passworded as usual and they can check the live entries are all members, or sign them up if they aren't. :unsure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosco Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Is anyone planning to play in this one? Hope to register on Sat, Hopfully its working cos got a planned night out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swampster Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship yeah i'm going for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie_D Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Yep...click-fest for me! :hope But let's keep this quiet and perhaps no-one else will notice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swampster Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship 9pm registration start right ? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAM Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship I've never been to one of these APAT events and never really fancied it because they dont seem to be that organised. However, I was thinking of going for this but thought I'd check out the hotel situation first... NOT A DICKIE!!!... even the local travelinn is charging £154!!. It seems APAT have organised this the same weekend as the Carling Cup Final :lol So I'll be giving it a miss, just be aware (unless you live local) it will cost you a lot more than £75!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaF Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship I've never been to one of these APAT events and never really fancied it because they dont seem to be that organised. I've never been to one either - but everything I've read here from people reporting back afterwards has been that the organisation (and event) has been superb!!!! You just need to beat the click fest (at 8pm tonight, just in case someone doesn't realise Swampster was joking ;) ):tongue2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie_D Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship I've never been to one of these APAT events and never really fancied it because they dont seem to be that organised. However, I was thinking of going for this but thought I'd check out the hotel situation first... NOT A DICKIE!!!... even the local travelinn is charging £154!!. It seems APAT have organised this the same weekend as the Carling Cup Final :lol So I'll be giving it a miss, just be aware (unless you live local) it will cost you a lot more than £75!! I HAVE attended an APAT event (Newcastle) and the event itself was very well organised. A cracking weekend was had by all. As for the actual timing and other stuff of the event, APAT had to contend with the fact that their choices in Wales for venues of sufficient size was limited and that the Six Nations Rugby and the Carling Cup pretty much screwed up the diary Not only that but negotiations with casinos take time and can break down for the silliest of things and other, seemingly minor points, can get overlooked. No-one is to blame here, putting one of these events together is a herculean task and, too often, Des, TK and the rest of the APAT team get little of the credit they deserve. APAT is still in it's infancy and, to it's credit, has ambitions beyond the 100-200 seaters that it has been able to arrange so far. As for a hotel, my group have booked http://www.quality-hotels-cardiff.com/ at c£75 a night (single or double). It's only a few miles from the city centre which, if you are mob-handed, is pennies for taxis. As far as I know, they still have rooms. Hope to see you there. :cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAM Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship I've never been to one either - but everything I've read here from people reporting back afterwards has been that the organisation (and event) has been superb!!!! True GaF and Paulie D :ok and looking around the different forums there seems to be a mixed reaction to APAT and I guess Des, Tikay et all are trying their best and so far their efforts need applauding:clap I guess from personal experience I was a bit miffed when the only event that was localish to me in Birmingham was turned into a ballot and people who hadnt expressed an interest got seats. The reason in an email to me by Des was that he didnt want a clickfest yet the subsequent ones have been just that. I am also going on comments from players I know who played in Newcastle. There is no denying the value is tremendous and that is still swaying me to have a go. I am still suspicious how the LPM lot keep getting seats - look they have even booked their hotels ;) (thanks Paulie:ok) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runadrum Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship LateRooms look to have rooms left at the Quality Hotel at £95 (double) no brekkie or £105 (twin) with brekkie. I'm looking at the Best Western Mount Sorrel in Barry - twin at £60 with breakfast (which Avon cannot survive without). edit - hotel reviews on LateRooms not brilliant (might be just as well won't be in the room much !) oooh and a disco on Saturday nights ! 20 mins drive SW of Cardiff but nearer the coast so taking bucket and spade if don't survive the Saturday. :ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosco Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Agreed very well organised and very good atmosphere Weighing up my options £75 Entry Hotel £100 or 2 nights £200 travel and expenses £80. Potentially £350 for a tourny might just play in the main event of the yorkshire cup in Leeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie_D Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship The reason in an email to me by Des was that he didnt want a clickfest yet the subsequent ones have been just that. Yes, this subject has come up before, and will probably do so again. Obviously until the UK has a casino/cardroom big enough to host a significant portion of those interested (Dusk 'Til Dawn?...good luck :hope Rob) the APAT click-fest is destined to continue in some shape or form. When I last spoke to Des :notworthy (during the online qualifiers...and on other forums), he said that they are trying to expand the ways of entry and the recent live and online qualifiers are an extension of that. I think we can look to see more of the same. Also, you might have noticed that there has been significantly less 'chatter' about this tourney...it's not being hyped quite as much, this may lead to the seats being taken up at a much reduced rate. Not that it won't sell out, mind. :D I am still suspicious how the LPM lot keep getting seats - look they have even booked their hotels ;) (thanks Paulie:ok) Honestly, nothing to be suspicious about, otherwise we'd have a LOT more people in the tourney. No matter how many hints I drop to Des, he won't open a special LPM section of the APAT site with seats on sale 15 mins early. As for the hotels, we always book with a view to cancelling in case we don't get seats. Costs nothing to be certain of having a room and, sometimes, it's cheaper too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie_D Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Entry £75 Hotel £200 Expenses £80. Chance at an EPT Germany seat and skinning drunken football fans alive at the cash games...Priceless! :rollin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morlspin Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship What i want to know, is why weren't there any sats to this at other Grosvenors around the country Not only is it a click fest again, its also reducing seats so that local players can play in it. Hardly Fair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaF Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: Registration opening SOON (8pm) - APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Just a bump - 5 minutes guys!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAM Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: Registration NOW OPEN (8pm) - APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship oh well...I got a seat :ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaF Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: Registration NOW OPEN (8pm) - APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship 5 minutes in and it's still open - everyone who wanted to get in should have made it I presume? :unsure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runadrum Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: Registration NOW OPEN (8pm) - APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship tried first with my credit card and the site went down tried again with my credit card and it said it was already being used in another transaction tried again with my debit card - and got in :ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaF Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: Registration NOW OPEN (8pm) - APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Welsh Amateur Poker Championship - Seat Allocation Closed The Welsh Amateur Poker Championship has now sold out. To get on the reserve list, please email your full name and telephone number to [email protected]. If a seat becomes available, APAT will contact reserves. Seats will be allocated to reserves in strict date order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAM Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: Registration NOW OPEN (8pm) - APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship tried first with my credit card and the site went down tried again with my credit card and it said it was already being used in another transaction tried again with my debit card - and got in :ok can you make that room a triple (i'll bring my own bucket and spade :lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runadrum Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: Registration NOW OPEN (8pm) - APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship can you make that room a triple (i'll bring my own bucket and spade :lol) have to admit I booked the room earlier this afternoon, knowing I could cancel if I needed to. after Newcastle I hadn't intended playing the next one - not that the tournament wasn't good but I wasn't - but now it is practice for Goa (hopefully) :ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesD Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship What i want to know, is why weren't there any sats to this at other Grosvenors around the country Not only is it a click fest again, its also reducing seats so that local players can play in it. Hardly Fair Hi Graeme, APAT would like to be in a position to run qualifying events into the national tournaments. At this moment, that is not feasible. However, please note that in reaching an agreement to run the Welsh event at Grosvenor Cardiff, APAT now has the potential to achieve the above. As always with initiatives of this potential scale, you have to trial concepts before rolling out to a wider audience. That is an APAT requirement, and a requirement of the businesses we are partnering. If APAT can tick the box that says a satellite event run in a Grosvenor was a success (and it was), and the box that says an APAT main event was a success at a Grosvenor, then that gives APAT an opportunity to sit down with Grosvenor, and the other leading venues in the UK, and our sponsors, to pull together a live and online qualifying series which will be truely national and answer every one of your questions. To my knowledge it will also be unique worldwide. This will also give APAT a foundation from which the Association can start to make an impact on behalf of our members. It has to be borne in mind that APAT has been running for just five months, and that the above vision will take time to deliver. APAT is ahead of where I thought it would be at this stage, and the team and I would appreciate the ongoing support and trust of our members while we continue to deliver on our strategy. It will be worth it! Regards, Des. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morlspin Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship Hi Graeme, APAT would like to be in a position to run qualifying events into the national tournaments. At this moment, that is not feasible. However, please note that in reaching an agreement to run the Welsh event at Grosvenor Cardiff, APAT now has the potential to achieve the above. As always with initiatives of this potential scale, you have to trial concepts before rolling out to a wider audience. That is an APAT requirement, and a requirement of the businesses we are partnering. If APAT can tick the box that says a satellite event run in a Grosvenor was a success (and it was), and the box that says an APAT main event was a success at a Grosvenor, then that gives APAT an opportunity to sit down with Grosvenor, and the other leading venues in the UK, and our sponsors, to pull together a live and online qualifying series which will be truely national and answer every one of your questions. To my knowledge it will also be unique worldwide. This will also give APAT a foundation from which the Association can start to make an impact on behalf of our members. It has to be borne in mind that APAT has been running for just five months, and that the above vision will take time to deliver. APAT is ahead of where I thought it would be at this stage, and the team and I would appreciate the ongoing support and trust of our members while we continue to deliver on our strategy. It will be worth it! Regards, Des. Cheers for the reply Des:ok I know you and the others are doing a great job with APAT, thats not in dispute here, in 5 months its gone from a great idea to a magnificent success, and you all should be applauded for that.:clap My gripe here is that having the only satellite at the casino where its to be held is very unfair to other members of APAT who live hours and hours away, with Grosvenor holding the main event and the satellite, surely instead of giving away 5 seats in 1 casino, you could have spread them around the country, 1 table stt's in 5 casinos would have eliminated the suspicion that the seats were effectively held for locals. Well thats my daily whinge over, and i wish everyone who managed to get a seat a fantastic tourney again, good luck to all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAM Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Re: Registration FULL - APAT Announce Welsh Amateur Poker Championship aahhh the trusty Etap:nana:nana:nana For those of you who have never stayed in one they are budget but very good value for money. This one doesn't open until next week but they still have rooms and at £32 who can complain:ok:ok http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/etp/6175/fiche_hotel.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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