Venetian Poker Room - To Boycott or Not to Boycott?

Debi

Debi

Forum Admin
Administrator
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Total posts
74,641
Awards
20
Chips
1,331
Should we boycott the Venetian Poker Room at this point?

I am very torn and I know a lot of my friends are too. Sheldon Adelson has gone so far that it is very difficult to show any sign of support for the Venetian by playing in the Venetian Deep Stack events.

But - the fact remains that it is the best and most affordable poker series in Vegas. Most of my big cashes in the past 1.5 years have happened there (if not all of them). What happens if I don't include them when I play?

And the Ladies event is a tradition - I get to play with all of my friends and I meet new and wonderful players every time I play in them. And we get to eat at the Grand Lux lol.

I am starting to plan my summer trip and think about what I will be playing. I have no idea what to do. :(

I can easily boycott the Wynn since I have never played in any of their events. :p

What are your thoughts?
 
curtinsea

curtinsea

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 28, 2010
Total posts
495
Awards
1
Chips
2
A boycott by poker players will do nothing to the bottom line of LVS or Sheldon Adelson, even if participation was near 100%. Poker is too small a percentage of the revenue stream. Thus, participation in a boycott is nothing more than a personal stand on principle. To many, that is enough.

I personally don't believe it's the right thing to do. It makes it look like we are afraid of him, when in fact Adelson's arguments are weak, and have been exposed as mostly being a ruse for trying to protect his bottom line. We can easily turn his own arguments against him, as the fears he raises are better addressed through regulation than a failed policy of prohibition.

Better than a boycott, we should be sure and talk about the issue out loud with other players, and get everyone to step up and speak out against his policy proposals.
 
KoRnholio

KoRnholio

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Total posts
906
Chips
0
It's a tough decision, but there are plenty of other tournament series around Vegas all throughout the year. I've enjoyed the Caesars events that I have played over the years. I also like playing at Binion's downtown when they have a tournament series on. A bit smaller fields, but still enough to make them worth playing.
 
WEC

WEC

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Total posts
5,730
Chips
0
In the end, you have to do what is best for you, and if poker players can make a difference by boycotting and it does not hurt their overall bottom-line, they should do it. I am sure Adelson could give a shit if the poker room had to close down, he would end up making more money filling it up with slots.

It is a tough decision to make, for a room that just a few years ago was a NOTHING, and is so nice now.

Probably in the end of the day, it is better for live poker players to play since it would likely hurt them more if the room did close. Now, if they could get a ton of ordinary citizens to boycott everything to do with Venetian and related properties, we might have a good fight.
 
T

themosthigh

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 22, 2012
Total posts
343
Chips
0
I wouldn't play there but it's a choice you personally have to make. I've never even played in their room in the past before Adelson started making all this noise so to me I don't think I'm missing much. He won't be around much longer so hopefully the new top dog has a different opinion.
 
Debi

Debi

Forum Admin
Administrator
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Total posts
74,641
Awards
20
Chips
1,331
It's a tough decision, but there are plenty of other tournament series around Vegas all throughout the year. I've enjoyed the Caesars events that I have played over the years. I also like playing at Binion's downtown when they have a tournament series on. A bit smaller fields, but still enough to make them worth playing.

Caesar's is closing their tournaments - no more series there. Binion's is only okay for some ladies events for me - I hate going downtown to play poker.

Been thinking about it all day and leaning towards continuing to play. Not playing only makes a statement to myself and a few others. Not sure it is worth it.
 
OzExorcist

OzExorcist

Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Total posts
8,586
Awards
1
Chips
1
If a high-profile player like, say, a Daniel Negreanu boycotted then I can see if having some impact as they'd likely speak up about their reasons for the boycott and get media coverage that will help bring attention to the issue.

For someone like yourself who doesn't have the same level of exposure though, I probably agree with the above - boycott if you morally can't bring yourself to give them your business, but otherwise it probably won't make a great deal of difference one way or the other in the grand scheme of the issue.
 
tenbob

tenbob

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
May 16, 2005
Total posts
11,221
Awards
1
Chips
20
Ok, I am missing something.

Why are you thinking of a boycott ?
 
Debi

Debi

Forum Admin
Administrator
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Total posts
74,641
Awards
20
Chips
1,331
Ok, I am missing something.

Why are you thinking of a boycott ?

Google Sheldon Adelson - he is the owner of the Venetian. He is adamantly opposed to online poker - for moral reasons. Yep - the owner of a casino thinks it is morally wrong to allow people to play poker online. Wouldn't be so bad - exept he is waging a political war to try to stop it.
 
tenbob

tenbob

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
May 16, 2005
Total posts
11,221
Awards
1
Chips
20
Ak ok thought there may be another reason.

Surely though, his reasons are purely business and he is a liar about his moral direction ? If I owned a large casino and had some political clout, then I would be against players staying at home when they could be in my place, buying drinks, paying rake, and having a shot at roulette when I bink a big night.
 
Kenzie 96

Kenzie 96

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
May 21, 2005
Total posts
13,667
Awards
9
US
Chips
135
I was going to suggest you pray for guidance, but I enjoy being a member here so ------. :eek: :)
As Tenbob said, this was a business decision by Alderson, you should prolly do what is in your own best interest.
 
OzExorcist

OzExorcist

Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Total posts
8,586
Awards
1
Chips
1
Surely though, his reasons are purely business and he is a liar about his moral direction ? If I owned a large casino and had some political clout, then I would be against players staying at home when they could be in my place, buying drinks, paying rake, and having a shot at roulette when I bink a big night.

My thoughts exactly - I won't necessarily agree with it, but I could at least respect it if it's a business issue and he was couching it in business terms. That's just being competitive in the business world. Hiding a business issue behind a moral complaint though, especially a complaint as hypocritical as his... ugh...
 
CrockPot

CrockPot

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 17, 2014
Total posts
263
Chips
0
I would probably personally boycott it but that may not seem like a good choice to you so I say you should do something to make a statement like warring a shirt that says Legalize it with a picture of online poker, or a nasty statement about Sheldon. I can't really think of a dig to him but I'm sure you'd find something on the internet. Doing that would make a statement without having to forfeit your playing in the tournament.
 
ckingriches

ckingriches

Lucky Multiple League MVP
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Total posts
2,315
Awards
9
Chips
1
Clearly you are conflicted about appearing to support someone's business whose purported views are in stark contrast to your own. We all have those same dilemmas confronting us on a daily basis, including businesses we perceive to treat their employees poorly, carry items we morally oppose, or put their own greed ahead of some other interest.

Since you clearly profit from playing in these events, both from a financial and enjoyment perspective, you'll probably decide that the pros outweigh the cons and continue your patronage of the Venetian, despite the pangs of guilt that will gnaw away at you, hopefully all the way to the bank. ;)
 
Debi

Debi

Forum Admin
Administrator
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Total posts
74,641
Awards
20
Chips
1,331
Clearly you are conflicted about appearing to support someone's business whose purported views are in stark contrast to your own. We all have those same dilemmas confronting us on a daily basis, including businesses we perceive to treat their employees poorly, carry items we morally oppose, or put their own greed ahead of some other interest.

Since you clearly profit from playing in these events, both from a financial and enjoyment perspective, you'll probably decide that the pros outweigh the cons and continue your patronage of the Venetian, despite the pangs of guilt that will gnaw away at you, hopefully all the way to the bank. ;)

That sums it up nicely lol.
 
M

Marsd

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 17, 2013
Total posts
100
Chips
0
I wouldn't boycott-

I understand that may be the best thing for some people, but instead why not go to these tourneys and advertise your boycott instead..

Boycotting will hurt the game of poker more than LVS.. go play where you want to play.. voice your opinion that you also want to play online--

maybe make a tshirt or buy one that voices your opinion and wear it proudly at the venetian tourneys-

there are better ways to fight I think



Should we boycott the Venetian Poker Room at this point?

I am very torn and I know a lot of my friends are too. Sheldon Adelson has gone so far that it is very difficult to show any sign of support for the Venetian by playing in the Venetian Deep Stack events.

But - the fact remains that it is the best and most affordable poker series in Vegas. Most of my big cashes in the past 1.5 years have happened there (if not all of them). What happens if I don't include them when I play?

And the Ladies event is a tradition - I get to play with all of my friends and I meet new and wonderful players every time I play in them. And we get to eat at the Grand Lux lol.

I am starting to plan my summer trip and think about what I will be playing. I have no idea what to do. :(

I can easily boycott the Wynn since I have never played in any of their events. :p

What are your thoughts?
 
S3mper

S3mper

Poker Not Checkers
Loyaler
Joined
May 13, 2013
Total posts
8,355
Awards
2
US
Chips
123
I know this thread is old and I only saw it through the poker index a guest was viewing it so I clicked on it and I've never played at the Venetian so it may be easier for me to answer yes then no but...

Every time I read a story about Sheldon Adleson I get a sickening sensation in my gut and every time I listen to him speak or read his quotes I want to vomit. Sheldon's obvious outrageous lies about his motives being 100% moral when it is clearly financial and POLITICAL . Adleson spent over 100 million dollars to sway a presidential election in 2012.

Sheldon says online poker can not be regulated even though it is already being regulated??!! Adleson compares online poker to cancer and his defense against the billions of dollars in taxes online poker would bring the United States is "Then we should just legalize crack and prostitution and every other SIN for tax money too"

Are you kidding me? Why is it that poker is okay to do inside of your casinos but online it is a terrible sin, or are you trying hint towards the fact that you want crack and prostitution to be legal inside your casinos?

Adleson claims poker is NOTa game of skill and it is just luck. How can a man who obviously doesn't know anything about the game of poker be able to financially support and politically corrupt against poker?

A few months ago in this thread you mention weighing the Pros V.S. the Cons and came to the conclusion the Cons outweighed the pros I disagree especially in the long run. It's true that you miss a lot of games and potential for money by boycotting his casinos however you potentially miss a lot more money for yourself and your country by not making a stand and showing how much online poker means to us. Imagine having pokerstars in the United States again.. (I almost had an orgasm)

It is true that poker is a very, very, very small portion of a casinos profits however the potential publicity in having a forum with over 100k members signing petitions to boycott would be huge. Especially if (as mentioned above) if a big named pro such as Daniel Negreanu were to back it.

Also there may be some non poker players who will sympathize with our cause and our right to be able to have the freedom to play poker online. Specifically targeting the high rollers as 62% of a casinos revenue comes from high rollers.

That's all I got for now I guess for this old thread but in short my answer is

-Yes
 
Debi

Debi

Forum Admin
Administrator
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Total posts
74,641
Awards
20
Chips
1,331
It turned out to be a no brainer not to play there this summer. The Ladies event is the weekend before I get there - and there are only $600 and higher events when I am available.

So no Venetian this summer!
 
ChipEaterMan

ChipEaterMan

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
May 8, 2012
Total posts
401
Chips
34
I never went to the Venetian. Someday I'll go to watch the ladies.
 
S3mper

S3mper

Poker Not Checkers
Loyaler
Joined
May 13, 2013
Total posts
8,355
Awards
2
US
Chips
123
Actually all we'd have to do is get the poker dealers to strike/quit wouldn't even need to get all the players lol
 
Samango

Samango

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Total posts
1,014
Awards
1
Chips
0
It turned out to be a no brainer not to play there this summer. The Ladies event is the weekend before I get there - and there are only $600 and higher events when I am available.

So no Venetian this summer!

And you feel great that you boycotted Adelson :D
 
Top