Not sure if it's the right place to post this thread, so I apologize in advance.

Basically I am expecting a new mini poker boom in my country, as the government has just legalized poker. Me and some friends are about to build a poker club (got the license), that offers 3-4 daily tournaments each day (no cash games allowed), with buy in ranging from $50 - $300. The goal is not all about profit, but we want to focus on building a large player base, educating people about the game (not many people play poker or even know about poker yet in my country), for long term mutual benefits with the players.

What are some of the things you guys suggest that my club can do to promote poker? I am thinking of:
- Various tournament types to cater to the casual players: spin n go, bounty, sit n go...
- Lower the rake as much as possible, perhaps with the help of a "Rakeback" program, e.g. a system of fidelity points
- Do you think add on is good to offer for the players? Or are freeze out tournaments better?
- Getting sponsored. Try to co-operate with large organizations such as the WPT to bring in players from oversea
- What are some of the things you guys wish to have at your local poker club? Basically if you are the owner of a poker club, what would you guys focus on so that your club, AND the players can be both happy?

What country?

Sounds like you are thinking of many of the tournament promo's.

Not sure if it stretches the new laws too far, but you can also offer a 'tournament' that acts very similar to a cash game. Our state use to run a 'tournament' when NL Cash wasn't allowed. Basically operates as a single table tournament. Tournament has a start time and an end time. (Open to close.) Blinds never go up. So for example they could be $2/5. Format is No Limit. Buy-in is $100+10. Unlimited rebuys. Late registrations welcome. For every buyin you receive $100 in chips. At any point in the tournament you can cash out for the number of chips you have. (Similar to an ICM type chop.) So basically it was structured as a tournament, but played very much like a cash game. Biggest difference would be the rake structure. Fee vs rake. Tournament chips so can't be used for tipping or buying drinks.

GL

Thanks, that's what I heard they are doing in China.

I'm from Vietnam btw.

Good luck ... sounds interesting to have a 'tournament' only room. Very difficult to keep your customers around for the 'next' event if they bust early in another.

Yes, I would look at SnG type of format also to counteract the lack of cash games. 10 person Sit-n-Go and pay the top 3 spots the same amount. These will run quick and players will stay around to play in the next one.

In any poker room players want to fee welcome and have services provided to them without hassle. Food, drink, bathroom, chip availability, parking, ease of getting into the game .... all those things add up. If you are the only game in town then you can get away with some poor services, but players will want you to have your act together or they will move on to another location fairly quick. GL

Just like Canterbury has created "tournaments" to slip past max bet rules and synthetically created NL cash games, I would recommend using a similar structure to create cash games.

You pay your "entry" fee of $200+20 and get $200 of tournament chips. At the end of 2 or 3 hours, people get paid based on chip counts. Blinds go from 1/2 to 2/2 to reflect a tournament structure. Rebuys allowed and if you walk, they blind you away.

Boom, now your tourney only room can run "cash" games.