16 FTP Pros in 500K today

[kuelk420]

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It's a lose-lose proposition for paying players. The 500K Guarantee always oversells, and so these guys truly are getting a free ride on FTP profits, profits which paying players create.

The most key point is that if any of the FTP pros cashes that subtracts from the monies split-up between cashing players who paid buy-ins.

A side point is that any time one of these guys is at your table, you're life is made more difficult because (1) they tend to be very good players and (2) they have zero financial risk (other than their time) and so they can play an aggressive style more easily than others (on average).

A side point is that most of these FTP Pros are financially quite well off, so why should they get a free ride ? Why not randomly select FTP members for a free ride ?

I don't see what a lot of these guys add to my tournament experience. Who cares if you play with / bust-out Jim McManus or Toto Leonidas or one of the Sexton kids ?

It's just pure cronyism on Chris Ferguson's part.

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it's hard to argue any of the points you made...

[daryn]

OP seems to think they are just being granted entry into the tournament.. but FTP is putting money up for them to enter, and that money goes into the prize pool. not only that but they have to pay out bounties when these guys get knocked out. it actually costs full tilt more money than if these pros didn't play.

[demon102]

its stuff like this that has made ftp ond of the biggest poker sites, so stop ur moaning op, this is great for poker

[stetda]

OP, do you realize how much of a kick it's giving many players to be just playing in the same tourney with these pros? Maybe it's because they are getting a free roll that most of the pros almost never go deep. It's not like they are consistently in the top 3 or even final table, so I don't see the issue. If you don't like it... play on a different site maybe?

[The Camel]

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There are 16 FTP Pros in the 500K Guarantee today :

Chip Jett
Karina Jett WHO?
Thomas Wahlroos
Jim McManus
David Benyamine
David Chiu
Steve Brecher WHO?
Max Pescatori
Lynette Chan WHO?
Keith Sexton WHO?
Paul Sexton WHO?
Michael Craig WHO?
Stuart Paterson
Clonie Gowen
Toto Leonidas
JJ Liu

My understanding is that these guys have their buy-in covered by FTP. I'd rather FTP didn't pay for these guys and instead spread that $3456 back to paying players in some manner.

Please discuss ...

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I maybe a little outta touch, but who the hell are 6 of those players?

And why would FT sponsor them?

[The Camel]

[ QUOTE ]
OP, do you realize how much of a kick it's giving many players to be just playing in the same tourney with these pros? Maybe it's because they are getting a free roll that most of the pros almost never go deep. It's not like they are consistently in the top 3 or even final table, so I don't see the issue. If you don't like it... play on a different site maybe?

[/ QUOTE ]

yeaaaaaaaaay. I stole Lynette Chan's small blind.

I know it would be the highlight of my week.

[Jetto]

it is [censored] that they get in for free if they do get in for free but oh well i guess FTP does this to atract more players

[Yuv]

Bah. OP, if FTP pays for their entry, they are still putting up 3200$ in the prize pool.

You somehow missed that in your lengthy posts. I don't care how they buyin, as long as they put 200$ somehow. If Jesus wanna pay for 'em, i don't care.

[Moose]

[ QUOTE ]
OP, do you realize how much of a kick it's giving many players to be just playing in the same tourney with these pros?

[/ QUOTE ]

In 2002, I played a few of the events at the Four Queens Classic. Even in the preliminary events, I got to sit at a tables with the likes of Tom McEvoy, TJ Cloutier, Scott Nguyen, Huck Seed, David Ulliot, Eskimo Clark and Peter Costa. Although my fortnight in Vegas was a net loss, they are still the highlights of my time in poker.

EDIT: In other words, don't underestimate the "omg I got to play with the best!" factor, it's very real ^.^

[bustedromo]

[ QUOTE ]
OP, do you realize how much of a kick it's giving many players to be just playing in the same tourney with these pros? Maybe it's because they are getting a free roll that most of the pros almost never go deep. It's not like they are consistently in the top 3 or even final table, so I don't see the issue. If you don't like it... play on a different site maybe?

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I've never heard of anyone in a $216 buy-in tournament getting a kick out of playing with these players. The only comments I've ever seen in chat for the vast majority of these people are who are you ? and why is your name in red ?

Those people in a $216 who might actually know who most of these players are don't really give them much respect. I'd say they're indifferent to their presence, at best.

For those high buy-in tournament players who are pro and semi-pro, it's kindof like the celebrity A,B,C lists, they just want to move from the 2p2 B List to the FTP A List.

It's similar to Jennifer Tilly's televised poker celebrity status. Just because she somehow got on the Poker Celebrity A List (because she was in a bunch of B movies and TV shows) doesn't necessarily mean (1) that she can play poker, or (2) that she's all that hot (even for a 49 year old, in my opinion).

Of those high buy-in tournament participants who are not pro or semi-pro level players, I doubt most of them have ever heard of 75% of the FTP Pros. Yeah, you can look them up on google, but it's not like another one isn't minted every other week.

Plus, do some of these FTP Pros even care about their jobs ? I heard that Carlos Mortensen a lot of times if he wants to go off-roading with his buddies he just throws the tournament.