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Background:
The A.P.A was formed by 3 directors of individual autonomous leagues in the greater Austin area in early ’08. It was formed to:
1) promote home poker playing
2) expand home poker playing
3) provide an outlet by which the leagues could compete among other leagues and
4) organize major tournaments that could fund the best player to the WPT/WSOP.
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Composition:
The APA’s composition is mandated by nothing. In fact, the APA has no governing authority over Home Poker Leagues (HPL). HPL’s manage each league IAW with its by-laws and any directors it may have to oversee the HPL. It is conceivable that a Cash HPL could join the APA and participate in organized activities hosted by the APA.
The APA holds no assets and has no fees. It is simply an organizing activity.
The APA’s directors are currently the 3 HPL primary directors from Cedar Creek, Cedar Park and South Austin.
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Vision:
As stated in the Background paragraph above, the goal is to expand the APA within the greater Austin Area. Within that goal, we are attempting to organize other Regional HPL’s within Texas. A great example would be the following:
-the APA is regionalized with its adjoining counties as participants.
-the HPA (Houston Poker Alliance) is organized at a manageable level
-the DPA (Dallas Poker Alliance) is organized “ “ “ “ “
-the FWPA (Fort Worth Poker Alliance) “ “ ‘ “ “ “ “
…and so on…
All of these leagues would fall under the Texas Poker Alliance (TPA). The TPA would organize and coordinate a Texas Series of Poker event annually (TXSOP) that would culminate with a serious cash payout. All of this would be done under current Texas Home Gaming Statues.
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Current Alliance Leagues:
S. Austin (Travis County): http://www.homepokertour.com/clubhome.php?clubid=3922
Although the BCPL is currently struggling with seating players, it has had a past of garnering a large group of players. It currently has a contact list in excess of 75 players. Its average seating for this summer’s session is about 15. Reports are that the summer tends to be a slow period and that players pick-up in the winter.
Cedar Creek (Bastrop County):
http://www.ebastrop.com/apa/cc.htm
In its second season, the CCPL has a player base of 27 with a strong base of 15 consistent players. Even though the league is much more rural, this is a strong showing that could easily be grown with minor marketing techniques. Additionally, it takes a majority of the players desire to want to be part of the APA in order for the APA to work. We may see the CCPL at the next APART if they can figure out a way to seat their players at $100 a seat.
(caveat, the CCPL director is the designer of the APA website and currently host it)
Cedar Park (Williamson County:) http://www.homepokertour.com/clubhome.php?clubid=4708
Going on its second official year as a league, the CPPA is the diamond in the rough. It has gone from a fledgling 10-12 players -based in a garage- to an average of 22 players. 3 recent inquiries to join the CPPA would push the league to 25 players. At that point a strong consideration to spin off another league must be considered and acted upon. Additionally, the CPPA host quarterly tournaments that average 30-35 players.
My thoughts:
Now if one of the goals of the APA is to send a player to the WSOP or WPT, this cant be done by playing on our normal days and not talking to people. It can’t be done by blogging about the league. It can’t be done by creating web-sites and expecting the eggs to appear when there in no roster to.. well you know… It really takes each individual, but especially the directors, to go the extra mile. Is it demanding to direct a league? You bet your sweet hind quarters it is. I know… I’m one of them. Sometimes it’s a down-right nightmare. But I love the game, and I cant tell you what it means to hear another player thank me…really Thank Me… for the hard work that is put into the league. Of course, winning is simply an added benefit… :o)
So the next question is what do we do?
I can’t use my official capacity for much as I have run into too many head-winds from others that have an agenda. Also, I cannot go from city to city to talk to people let alone play the game. The proof should be in the pudding. What have you done and why? Are you planning in the back rooms to push this or that so that when “x” happens your gonna get a huge kick-back? Are you joining others to promote an issue because its your clique and that the way its done in Texas?
I do what I do because I love the game. I do what I do because others appreciate what I do in order to bring fun to all who participate. What are you doing? What are you going to do? Stop expecting to get something while doing nothing. ORGANIZE in your area and do what is being done in Cedar Park.