Which Genius Came Up With This Idea?

I can't remember the last time I sat down with a newspaper in the morning and enjoyed a cup of coffee. Well, the coffee part happens quite regularly, but I haven't bought a newspaper in ages--maybe back in 2005 when I was searching the classifieds for a place to live that wasn't falling apart around me. I get all of my daily reading done on the internet, just like I suspect most others do, too.

Once I get through my daily rotation of sports, politics, commentary, and funny cat pictures, I always spend a little more time than I should seeking mindless entertainment or wandering about in the fields of my interests. Of course, my poker hobby has come to the forefront now that most of my latest Life's Big Questions have been resolved.

So I was over on the Binion's Poker Classic site, looking at the schedule of events and seeing what sort of tournaments I'd likely be dealing once I hook up with the temp service (this weekend features a lot of Omaha--not my strong suit, and I've got to think long and hard about whether or not I want to spend the last couple of days of my vacation subjecting myself to that kind of abuse). I was also writing down a few of the other tournaments that I'd be interested in entering if my schedule and bankroll allows.

Anyhow, I noticed that they're offering a second Casino Employee's No Limit tournament at the tail-end of the festivities, obviously trying to pick off a few players from the World Series event that takes place at the beginning of July. But then I noticed the details--the Binion's tournament goes off on Saturday July 5th at 4pm.

Seriously, what genius came up with that schedule? Did they bring Becky back to be the tournament director? That's an extremely busy holiday weekend, and damn near every casino employee in the entire 702 will be working Saturday night. I don't know anyone who has Saturdays off, anyways, much less a holiday weekend. And to start it at 4 pm? Hell, it's gonna go on until at least midnight--right smack in the middle of the busiest peak hours of every casino in town. Just who do they think will show up and play in this tournament?

There's a reason that every bar, restaurant, and club in this town offers 'industry night' specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It's because 99% of the people in the gaming industry have to work weekends! Scheduling a casino employees poker tournament on a Saturday night in the middle of a holiday weekend just seems like one of the dumbest ideas ever.

I don't even have a permanent schedule anymore, but I know I'll be working that night, so I won't be there. I guess I'll have to wait a year for my pocket Kings to seek redemption. That is, if they don't schedule the tournament on Memorial Day next year.

Mikey