Venetian CEO Poker Tournament Main Event Furor

[doublejoker]

[ QUOTE ]
Their lawyer probably told them to STFU and stay off message boards.

[/ QUOTE ]

That probably is the reason they stopped disputing what is clearly the case.

[PokeReader]

I received another PM, (her second), in response to my second PM to her. It really doesn't add anything, although she continues to say that she is posting on these issues...? I thought I would give her some time to post her own response, but as she hasn't, and as they are not really different that what she has already posted,

From: ceopoker1

PokerReader:

As I stated in the forum just a few minutes ago, and will continue to state, there is no cover up, that is why I have taken the initiative to join this board and respond to concerns and questions.

The structure sheets did state that a percentage of the event was going to charity, from day one, as required.
Additionally, the structure had been up for weeks online.

There are even postings on the blog that state this fact, and even show the copy that was printed on the structure sheet, so it was in the structure sheet from day one.

We learn from every event and as I explained in other posts in the future it is not likely that we will do a charity event where it involves the players, we will pay a charity from our own funds.

Regarding, so called cover up of document replacements, I posted a response to those baseless claims on the forum, because claims seem to become truths when seen on a blog.

From day one I have responded to board requests for more information which I have provided. No documents have been replaced, we updated the tournament standings web page and replaced the structure link with a standings link because the event finished, not because we had anything to hide.

The structures from day one had the prize pool breakdown, including the charity percentage, which is posted on the forum by someone that received the structure sheet at the event.

Whenever we complete a tournament we update the area so no other player downloads the application for a similar event. This is common practice even within casino websites.

I know that many of you are searching for hidden agendas but there are none. If there was a hidden agenda, I wouldnt be responding personally to posts about this issue.

A percentage of the buy in did go to a charity, as stated on the structure sheet, and it went to a good cause. The donation can be confirmed by contacting the charity. We would encourage you to connect with the charity and become involved in their programs.

Please feel free to email me any time and I will respond to your concerns.


Regards,

Maria Gomez
CEO POKER




From: ceopoker1

As I have stated at no time did we change the structure sheet online. The sheet was done as a Word Document online and in the future will be done as a PDF which can not be altered by the public once downloaded. The problem with a Word document is that anyone can download this document and place any information that they wish and state that it was their originally. We did not change the document. We did replace the LINK from a structure link to a STANDINGS link after the event. That is all and standard for tournament updates.

Additionally, the structure sheets were available to every player at the event prior to registration during the entire week, for all tournament levels.

They were placed on the counters where you sign up, placed on tables where structure sheets for all events are placed for pick up for approximately 11 days.

All details, from percentages, to charity information where on these structure sheets. This is common practice for any tournament.

Lastly, we were not paid a percentage of the prize pool, we are paid a site fee from Venetian and nothing else. I continue to post the same information because these are the facts regarding this event.

If you would like any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.


As you can see they don't really answer the questions asked, but as she prefers to answer PM's to post publicly for some reason, I suggest eveyone write to her if they had a problem, and then you will receive an answer that doesn't really address any questions you asked.

[doublejoker]

[ QUOTE ]
I received another PM, (her second), in response to my second PM to her. It really doesn't add anything, although she continues to say that she is posting on these issues...? I thought I would give her some time to post her own response, but as she hasn't, and as they are not really different that what she has already posted,

From: ceopoker1

PokerReader:

As I stated in the forum just a few minutes ago, and will continue to state, there is no cover up, that is why I have taken the initiative to join this board and respond to concerns and questions.

The structure sheets did state that a percentage of the event was going to charity, from day one, as required.
Additionally, the structure had been up for weeks online.

There are even postings on the blog that state this fact, and even show the copy that was printed on the structure sheet, so it was in the structure sheet from day one.

We learn from every event and as I explained in other posts in the future it is not likely that we will do a charity event where it involves the players, we will pay a charity from our own funds.

Regarding, so called cover up of document replacements, I posted a response to those baseless claims on the forum, because claims seem to become truths when seen on a blog.

From day one I have responded to board requests for more information which I have provided. No documents have been replaced, we updated the tournament standings web page and replaced the structure link with a standings link because the event finished, not because we had anything to hide.

The structures from day one had the prize pool breakdown, including the charity percentage, which is posted on the forum by someone that received the structure sheet at the event.

Whenever we complete a tournament we update the area so no other player downloads the application for a similar event. This is common practice even within casino websites.

I know that many of you are searching for hidden agendas but there are none. If there was a hidden agenda, I wouldnt be responding personally to posts about this issue.

A percentage of the buy in did go to a charity, as stated on the structure sheet, and it went to a good cause. The donation can be confirmed by contacting the charity. We would encourage you to connect with the charity and become involved in their programs.

Please feel free to email me any time and I will respond to your concerns.


Regards,

Maria Gomez
CEO POKER




From: ceopoker1

As I have stated at no time did we change the structure sheet online. The sheet was done as a Word Document online and in the future will be done as a PDF which can not be altered by the public once downloaded. The problem with a Word document is that anyone can download this document and place any information that they wish and state that it was their originally. We did not change the document. We did replace the LINK from a structure link to a STANDINGS link after the event. That is all and standard for tournament updates.

Additionally, the structure sheets were available to every player at the event prior to registration during the entire week, for all tournament levels.

They were placed on the counters where you sign up, placed on tables where structure sheets for all events are placed for pick up for approximately 11 days.

All details, from percentages, to charity information where on these structure sheets. This is common practice for any tournament.

Lastly, we were not paid a percentage of the prize pool, we are paid a site fee from Venetian and nothing else. I continue to post the same information because these are the facts regarding this event.

If you would like any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.


As you can see they don't really answer the questions asked, but as she prefers to answer PM's to post publicly for some reason, I suggest eveyone write to her if they had a problem, and then you will receive an answer that doesn't really address any questions you asked.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where did this additional 6% "site fee"come from if not the prize pool?

[PokeReader]

Obviously it is from the prize pool. It is just a legal cover. They pass the Venetian an extra 6% per player, and then the Venetian pays them the same 6% back. It's just a pass-though. That's why she won't answer the question about it being the same amount of money.

[doublejoker]

[ QUOTE ]
Obviously it is from the prize pool. It is just a legal cover. They pass the Venetian an extra 6% per player, and then the Venetian pays them the same 6% back. It's just a pass-though. That's why she won't answer the question about it being the same amount of money.

[/ QUOTE ]

Doesnt that violate the gaming rules discussed earlier about outside agents receiving juice from tourneys? 18% is rather excessive.

[PokeReader]

Thats my point, if it is in fact the same exact amount of money passing hands back and forth, just to protect them from gaming rules, well, I can't say what gaming will do if that's the case, but I'd get in alot of trouble with the FEC for doing the same thing.

[Jeff Gordon]

Hello, my name is Jeffrey Gordon and I am the President /CEO of the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. We are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit and have been in existence since 1993 here in Las Vegas. I invite everyone to go to our website and learn more about us. It is
www.nvccf.org

We are a legitimate charity that works side by side with the medical community to provide social, emotional, financial, educational, and psychological support services and programs to families of ALL children who are diagnosed with a life threatening or critical illness such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell, hemophilia, renal disorders, and other immunological diseases. We provide comfort and support while empowering and educating families. The only thing more tragic than a child being diagnosed with cancer, or any life threatening illness; is to go through it without hope. We are here to give that hope and courage to these children that by no fault of their own are in a very dark place.

I think it is important to know that the CEO POKER TOUR Company has gone out of their way to support our programs by giving us an opportunity to be part of their tournament in order to be able to continue funding some of our most important community programs.

We are in contact right now with the Venetian Hotel and they are processing the wonderful donation. The dollars that were raised for the charity will go a long way in helping fund many of our programs in Project A.R.K. You can read more about them on our website.

As I am sure you are all aware, it is hard for private charities to raise money when we are not affiliated with any national or governmental agencies. It is through generous efforts of companies like the CEO POKER Tour, and the Venetian, and of course all of you who were involved that allows us to do what we do for our kids.

I see that there are some negative impressions and false information floating around. I hope this will help dispel some of that and hopefully this will not effect our relationship with CEO POKER, or the Venetian as they have both done a wonderful service for the children of this community.

Most Sincerely,

Jeffrey R Gordon
President/CEO
Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation
“Embrace the Life of a Child”

[suzzer99]

To summaize -
charity: legit
vig: excessive and shadily presented
what can we do about it?: probably nothing except boycott and spread the word

[Dynasty]

Jeff,

Nobody has a problem with your charity.

The problem here is with the CEO Poker Tour and the perception that they at best deceived the players in the tournament and at worst committed fraud.

[PokeReader]

Clearly player cannot, and are not getting the tax deduction for this. I think we should see what the Venetian says, and then decide on further steps such as contacting the Gaming Commission, contacting the other casinos they partner with, and there is a partner company to CEO Poker Tours to whom a complaint should be voiced. Then we will have to consider whether it is worth getting legal representation in this matter.