Matt Savage is well known in the world of poker as a very excellent tournament director. His latest creation of a tournament schedule for his home casino, the Commerce Casino located in Los Angeles, has definitely riled up some players in the poker community.
He announced the Social Experiment event as part of the California State Poker Championship. In this particular event, players will not be allowed to have electronic devices, headphones, or wear sunglasses or hoodies in order to "create social interaction amongst players." Of course, hearing aids and other items needed for medical reasons will not be banned. If you have a guide dog, it is also allowed. Hats are allowed. You can wear scarves, or a hooded jacket but not the hood - just do not use any item to cover your face.
The tournament starts on April 29, Saturday at the Commerce Casino for a $350 buy-in. The so-called Social Experiment has surely gotten the attention of many players. With a 30,000-chip starting stack, equal to what players start major WSOP or WPT events with, along with a sweet $100,000 guaranteed prize pool, this experiment gives players a shot for the big reward with just a rather minimal investment.
While some players like it, others aren't too fond of the rules.
Brandon McPherson hated it and expressed on his Twitter feed, "This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. Not only pointless but counter to what the community wants."
Joe Patterson thought differently and said, "That's awesome. You are going to take a lot of people out their game, for sure, love it."
To make sure everyone follows the policy, Savage has come up with a series of penalties for rule breakers. Starting with a three-hand banishment, the penalties go up to one rotation around the table for repeat offenders. Such punishment at the wrong time while in the tournament can be devastating to the chip stack of a player.
What do you think? Is the Social Experiment Tournament a great idea?
Source:
Matt Savage's Social Experiment Tournament Outlaws Player's Accessories
https://www.cardschat.com/news/matt-savages-social-experiment-tournament-outlaws-players-accessories-41687
http://www.commercecasino.com/tournaments/series/cal-state-poker-championship/
http://www.commercecasino.com/wp-content/uploads/Event29.pdf