[habsfanca11]

How very much like management to present a problem, demand a solution and not provide enough direction or at the very least the parameters that need to be held to. TT - what's the budget? What are the profit expectations? How long is "management" willing to front-load this initiative?

OK, I'm going to assume that management is willing to front-load this endeavour - in other words, that we don't have to be immediately profitable and there is some money to spend on marketing, spiffs, comps what not for a period of time to establish a viable running game.

Other's have mentioned this but let me summarize: 3 "vectors" for a game to be established and run regularly (in order of importance): 1) good game/profitability of the game; 2) service/ comfort/ environment; 3) Comps/ costs/ drain on winrate.

To make the games consistently good you'll need the tourists. Advertising and promotion are one means of encouraging a tourist player pool. But essentially whatever you do it must be FUN! Tourists are there to enjoy, have fun, to party - yes to play poker and win but the "fun" component will be the draw. Some ideas/thoughts on possible promo's - Play with the Pro's - there have to be several/dozen's of recognizable pro's that you could hire as props. Of what I see of Matusow, he can't be doing well enough where he wouldn't jump at the opportunity to get paid to play. I can guarantee you you'll have the tourists flocking to the game to be able to sit and chat with "the Mouth" or others - where has "the Crew" disappeared to. Anyone who has any TV time at the main event will do. Hey are you Po Kim? (lol). Not anywhere as good - but what about having a low limit high hand promotion where you stake the high hand winner to a hand at 30/60? This one is tricky - the 30/60 guys would probably love the soft money entering but hate if it should happen to take some money off the table. Add to this the others ideas above about reduced rake for shorthanded and possibly double comp points for shorthanded and you've got the makings of a good game - as long as you can consistently get the tourists out to subsidize.

Service/comfort everybody else has mentioned. It is what will keep your regulars/locals around once the "specials" have expired - assuming the games remain good. If a good job at advertising and promotion have been done.

Perks - mentioned in others comments. There are many good ideas presented by others. As I think many have realized you'll want to focus on subsidizing short handed play. Reduced rake and double comp points etc. etc.

All in all I think your main aim is to really try to generate some word of mouth that your new room is "Bellagio but better - we treat our players with the respect and service they deserve."

If this is really something that you are trying to do for real - let me know as I have some PR ideas and viral marketing type of stuff that should be effect in generating soem "groundswell noise".