Quote:
Originally Posted by Guyra
Why would you think Parx doesnt need to draw in more people? The don't have 100% of the market share.
Maybe its as simple as they think adding the BBJ will make the room more crowded, hence making them more money.
Maybe they are concerned about other close states getting poker i.e NY and Maryland, and losing players to these places once poker becomes legalized in those states?
Maybe the don't want to lose players to Chester and AC when those places have a BBJ?
Maybe they are appealing to the masses of recreational players and not the reg's on 2+2?
Maybe they are concerned about losing Reg's back to online poker in NJ in 10 months?
Who really cares what the exact reason they are doing it is? The bottom line is, Parx's thinks it will be more profitable for them to do it.
It's not like the player pool is getting exponentially bigger. If anything, poker is shrinking. Less poker on tv = less new players trying the game = less players playing as a hobby. With more casinos/poker rooms opening in the tri state area(NY, downtown philly, online in NJ), everyone is fighting to attract and keep players. There just isnt enough of an influx of new poker players to keep everyone happy and as profitable as they want to be. At least Parx is trying to make the best room possible for everyone(new menu, free wifi, innovative tourney structures, listening to players advice, increasing comps to 90 days, etc etc). Parx mgt understands it's gonna lose business to the new philly casino and a lot of NY/North jersey traffic. Might as well try anything now to keep the players from leaving instead of waiting until after they leave. Keeping a customer is a lot easier than attracting a new one.
I agree these are all VERY valid reasons to worry about a decline in business.
I don't see a bbj being the reason someone decides to go to once place over the other. Even casual/fish/tourists, will choose closest room first, followed very closely by game of choice. If it's a giant number, yeah a few extra people might make the trip. Really don't see someone driving past another poker room solely to chase a BBJ.
With that said, alienating, or upsetting the regulars, who make the games go by effectively using their money to generate business isn't the way to go.
Using players money to fund promotions is a krappy thing to do. Because it's universally accepted doesn't make it right.
My two cents, free alcohol, a hotel, dinner/club options. Putting the casino and poker room together. Things that make Parx more "ACish" will be the biggest way to control the eventual player dispersal.