PeteBlow wins the thread. Lock it up.

Dean Blatt does not sound very Asian to me.

Well, whataya know, Another genius trying to angle his way out of a big bag of crap.


It is amazing at just how ****ing shady every corner of the poker world is getting.

I'm starting to just look past any vendor or new poker gimmick these days. Anything worth a damn is already here and if its still here and not worth a damn then there's an angle involved.

GPI , probably could have been a great thing but the wrong people were involved and now its too late, its a big stinker.

Alex,

The problem with the Challenger Cup is that nobody knew it existed.

Sad to see it blow up in your face like this, but you look pretty bad with all the website changes and welching. Nobody would have been paid if there wasn't a public outcry :/.

lol GPI. These guys are funny. They have had a booth here since the jump but there is rarely anyone there.

I like Alex, but I think he is all over the place with his poker related endeavors. Between, rankings, award shows, leagues, world cups, etc. he is just trying to do much, scattered all over the place. I wonder sometimes if Alex thinks of himself as a superhero to poker with all his altruistic ideals.

And this is where the distrust and suspicion from folks around here have regarding Alex and GPI--- Honestly, he should show a little capitalistic greed, this is what Americans expect from business people.

Granted there is long list of scammers, cheats etc in the industry and plenty of reason for many to be skeptical, negative and complainsaws...but ...

Hating on GPI is illogical . Dude is spending his own money to help grow this game , not asking for a thing in return from players, yet most ITT still find reasons to whine, bitch and complain

Regardless of what GPI accomplishes , they can only help the game and maybe grow the industry. Entire industry is freerolling on their efforts . I love freerolls.

Just say thank you and good luck.

Save your bitching and whining to complain about dealers at the Rio, the open seat in your cash game not being filled in 12 seconds, the rake in your tournament where poker room is making zero profit , and all the other stupid things poker players whine about

/rant

People trying compare GPI to other famous poker scammers is laughable

Sadly I've found that players often respect this more than selflessness. I think it comes down to people can't imagining doing the same thing if in the other guys shoes so by nature they become resentful and mistrustful.

As for the GPI, I'm a little confused... how does this company make any money? Are they sponsored? Do they stake players? Are they an affiliate?

I was wrong for slamming GPI without more thought.

I automatically assumed that when confronted with the accusations of not paying a prize advertised through the site, and the not forthright attitude to make it right, that someone doesn't need to be in charge .

GPI has tried to consolidate information and streamline rankings etc.They merged with Hendon mob and even though its not a glove fit with software , there is potential there for something great.

Just wanted to mention that recently , new poker companies and software are not advertising BEFORE the WSOP.

New staking sites opening during the first and second weeks of the WSOP isn't a good idea imo.


If you are gonna start a company in the poker market, You need to remember that your customers are smart , well read and won't hesitate to call you out for shadiness or crap service.

I think Alex has mentioned the company has a major financier/investor(maybe himself?) that pumps money in. Other than this the company does not make money (except small deals and web revenue).

Its confusing, but I think the goal of the company is to 'sportify' poker. Meaning, they will create world class poker events that will be fully supported and funded by mainstream sponsors and traditional advertising. The players who actually get to play in these 'world class poker events' (and thus participate in these ++EV events) will qualify through their GPI ranking system. Which in turn gives meaning (finally) to their rankings.

Alex has a long road ahead and I wish him luck, and I think his intentions are pure (yes, he prob wants to earn money as well) but I do not see poker ever being attractive to mainstream advertisers to the point of earning any significant revenue. Why:

1. People do not pay money to watch poker tournaments live, like other sports
2. Poker gets tiny television ratings compared to other sports
3. There are no 'star' poker players any more. Most understand the role luck plays in poker now.
4. People do not root or cheer for poker players like home sports teams, poker is all about personal earnings and pure greed.
5. there are no poker 'fans', just players who follow poker

As an advertiser these 5 facts make advertising or sponsoring poker (and expecting a return) impossible.
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