[Mano]

I have never worked in the industry, so I may be not be looking at the problem from the correct perspective, but here is my two cents:

It seems the most important things are to
(1) get the games running, and
(2)once running ensure that the games are good so they keep going.

(1) Incentivise people to start games, especially less than full games. Maybe free time for the first hour for each person starting a new game, or a comp/points system where the players can earn points for starting new games. Be very willing to start a new game, especially if there are players willing to start without a full table. Have pagers/beepers and hotel room notification either by phone or over TV for people to let them know when the game is going. Make sure that when there are enough people to start a game you do - nothing pisses me off more than when I am waiting for a game that has more than enough people on the waiting list and open tables, yet I still have to wait for an hour + for the game to start. Perhaps even an automated answering system or waiting list online where locals can check to see which games are running and view the waiting lists.

(2) Make sure the games are well run. Use your most experienced and competent dealers for your 30/60 games (no break in dealers). Have all rules clearly posted, and floor well trained to make consistent rulings. As for promotions, try and use promotions that encourage action. Rakeback systems probably only attract tighter players. I have seen some promotions where each time you win a pot above a certain size you get a voucher for a freeroll or drawing, and the starting chips each player gets or entries in drawing are determined by how many vouchers they have. This encourages looser play and bigger pots. You may also want the prize for the freeroll or drawing to be entries into high profile tournaments (WPT, WSOP, etc.) and have bonuses for people who win your freerolls that make the final tables of these televised events and wear logoed gear from your casino so you can further promote your room (not sure if this flies with the big tournies terms and conditions, but if it does cross promotions are good). Could also offer things like free stays at your casino, since the winners of these would most likely be playing in your game. Have also seen promo's where if you win with a crap hand (72o for instance, or some random hand of the day) you win something. Also, a 2/3 blind structure should promote looser play than a 1/3 structure.


Don't know if any of these have been tried or not, but I really like the idea of having the tables and waiting lists available online.