Calgary Flames Poker Tournament - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

edn88 · 02-03-2009, 01:38 PM

Didn't see it posted here, so...

Flames Ambassadors Celebrity Poker tournament is going to be held at Deerfoot Inn and Casino on February 25th.

Tournament is sold out ($650) but there are some seats available for season tickets holders (got an email about this this morning).

Anyone here considering going (I am negotiating with my wife) or anyone been before?

MelBridgeman · 02-03-2009, 01:52 PM

Only if matsavior is there

JD · 02-03-2009, 01:58 PM

I've been. It's a lot of fun, but be prepared to spend more cash than just the $650 entry fee.

And if you like your drinks, it might be best to leave the car at home because it will otherwise likely sleep at the casino.

But again, it's a lot of fun. A very unique opportunity to interact with the players and other celebrities that show up.

Tacoman · 02-03-2009, 02:01 PM

I've gone every year and have a great time. Great charity fundraiser and easily the best event I've been to in terms of player interaction. I've asked for Glencross this year.

albertGQ · 02-03-2009, 02:25 PM

I'm jealous. I can't afford season tickets nor this entry fee even if it was available to the general public

Yeah_Baby · 02-03-2009, 02:38 PM

p-p-p-p-p-p-poker face, p-p-p-poker face.

Bagor · 02-03-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacoman

I've gone every year and have a great time. Great charity fundraiser and easily the best event I've been to in terms of player interaction. I've asked for Glencross this year.

Good luck getting a read of his pokerface.

Flaming Lips · 02-03-2009, 03:35 PM

Was there last year (escaping with Regehr's jersey) and am going again this year. It is a fun event.

FL

T@T · 02-03-2009, 06:05 PM

I went the first year, some dink rivered quad 8's to kick me out!

Had a great time though

czure32 · 02-03-2009, 06:22 PM

Id like to go this year, I got the email for it, but unfortunately with teh tournament goin on at the end of February on a wednesday there is no way that I can negotiate the time off work

Id really like to be able to participate one year, that and the golf tournament at the start of the season

burn_baby_burn · 02-04-2009, 11:05 AM

I went last year, it was a great experience. If you want to mingle with the players it is a great opportunity. I kind of went with the wrong expectations. I went to play Poker. It is a tough tournament to win when your playing against millionaires and they have unlimited buy ins before intermission. Pretty much every hand had somebody going all in with numerous calls before the flop. The guys that would lose would just buy back in. I wasn't in a position to drop $200 every 15 minutes.

If I ever go again I'll just go for the fun of mingling with the players and have fun. I sat beside Mike Vernon and barely said a word to him because I was so caught up in playing poker.

Prototype · 02-04-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I'm jealous. I can't afford season tickets nor this entry fee even if it was available to the general public

Same boat... I'd love to go, but there's no way I could afford to.

albertGQ · 02-04-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I went last year, it was a great experience. If you want to mingle with the players it is a great opportunity. I kind of went with the wrong expectations. I went to play Poker. It is a tough tournament to win when your playing against millionaires and they have unlimited buy ins before intermission. Pretty much every hand had somebody going all in with numerous calls before the flop. The guys that would lose would just buy back in. I wasn't in a position to drop $200 every 15 minutes.

If I ever go again I'll just go for the fun of mingling with the players and have fun. I sat beside Mike Vernon and barely said a word to him because I was so caught up in playing poker.

Good tip. I think I can scrounge up some cash to enter this if any STH wants to sell me their ticket

mcsaxo · 02-04-2009, 12:35 PM

If it was outside of the city, the Flames would lose.

*ba dum ching!*

edn88 · 02-04-2009, 01:46 PM

I have to say the prospect of it being a rebuy til the first break is chilling me to the idea. I don't have the funds to keep up any of the millionairs who will be there.

I can just see it - dealt pocket aces and are forced all in by 4 or 5 others and lose to 8-9 offsuite.

I guess you have to go just for the fun and atmosphere. I have called to find out what the blind structures are going to be. If they are setup right, maybe I can sit there and fold hands for five hours and enjoy the company at the table.

Flaming Lips · 02-04-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edn88

I have to say the prospect of it being a rebuy til the first break is chilling me to the idea. I don't have the funds to keep up any of the millionairs who will be there.

I can just see it - dealt pocket aces and are forced all in by 4 or 5 others and lose to 8-9 offsuite.

I guess you have to go just for the fun and atmosphere. I have called to find out what the blind structures are going to be. If they are setup right, maybe I can sit there and fold hands for five hours and enjoy the company at the table.

If the structure remains the same this year, you can definitely enjoy the company at the table for the first 2 hours. Play aggressive-tight during that time and chat with the players. From there, the blinds go up rather quickly. Every 15 minutes or so if I recall correctly.

I was at a table with lots of re-buys. I did so once myself, not because I was short, but because I wanted more chips. But, you don't have to re-buy, so long as you are winning those other chips. You will need them when the blinds ramp up quickly.

I finished 11th last year, one person off the final table (my buddy finished second). Placement is secondary though. Its not a poker tournament so much as a charity event where you can mix it up with some local celebs in a fun setting. If you go into it with that mindset, you probably won't regret going.

FL

albertGQ · 02-04-2009, 03:29 PM

What are the prizes for first place and such?

Flaming Lips · 02-04-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

What are the prizes for first place and such?

Last year, first place won a 1 year lease to some a truck (it was nice, can't recall the make), and a cash prize of about $3000 or so. Second received a buy-in to the Canadian poker championships and cash of around $2500. The rest of the table received lower cash amounts. Everyone donated all (or a substantial portion of all) of their cash prizes back to charity.

FL

burn_baby_burn · 02-04-2009, 04:25 PM

It was a Toyota Tundra I believe. You also win Flames tickets, a Flames jersey that says Poker Champ with the year of the tournament as the number.

They also had draws for autographed Flames jerseys and other memorabilia. The silent auction was really cool although pricey. Real nice art work of the players. Iggy went up and bid like $8,000 on one piece so I knew I was out of the running.

You do get a few gifts with your buy in. A Flames tee shirt, a framed Flames canvas painting (I got Lombardi), as well as a bunch of coupons. So you get a little something for your money other than meeting the players.

albertGQ · 02-05-2009, 09:27 AM

So I emailed Ken King this

Quote:

Hello Mr.King. I know you’re a busy guy but I had a question about this tournament. I would really like to go and a good buddy of mine has season tickets. He might allow me to buy under his name. I think the original email said the tickets are for STH’s only and is non-transferable. He’s got two season tickets and I usually go to a handful of games with him. Do I qualify as being part of his STH group? I’d really love to play in this tournament

Thank you

And Rollie Cyr replied with this

Quote:

Albert
We will enter your name as a season ticket holder and will confirm as to your participation.

We will let you know.

Does this sound like he will let me buy a ticket to this tournament from my STH buddy or does it sound like he will enter my name in a draw and if my name is drawn, they will contact me?

I'm confused