Steve; Thank you for graciously accepting my public apology. I think I'll pass on the side-wagers you've proposed regarding this upcoming tournament for two reasons. Primarily, I don't think I would win the wager... and secondly (nothing against Iowans) but I like it right where I am here in Jersey. <g>

Steve, the reason I've stated clearly that I am representing the interests of the entire membership is because the huge majority of club members don't even know about this tournament... and won't know about it until they get to Vegas and see it listed in the Official Convention Program. You state that your "offer goes out to every single CC>CC member". You've not contacted all 2000++ club members Steve, which is why I've indicated that you are only representing those privileged on-line members who have read about this on-line controvery , or from someone that may have heard about it from someone else who happens to be on-line. Although I will not be a participant in the tournament itself, I consider myself as one of the "privileged" to find out advance information merely by the fact of being on-line. I meant no derogatory reference to on-line members. It's a fact that they/we are the first to know most things that are being discussed, but that in itself should not exclude members who are not on-line from not getting the opportunity to participate in club sponsored events.

I agree with you 100% Steve; advance registration is the way to go..... but NOT this year! Plans for this "spur-of-the-moment" tournament simply got started way too late to make an announcement to the entire membership so that everyone is dealt cards from the same deck. As you've acknowleged, "we don't know if we' re talking about 20 or 200 interested parties." So why not build on this year's success and plan now for the year 2000 instead of attempting to exclude conventioneers this year who are going to be very disappointed when they find out that they never had a chance under your proposal?

Regarding apples and oranges...... using your hypothetical "IF's"....the fact is that you are NOT taking tournament entries upstairs this year. However, IT IS A FACT of what happened last year with the chip controversy. I'm not looking to repeating that same mistake this year with the poker tournament. Everyone should have a shot at getting a seat..... not only those who have "pre-registered" by doing an end-run around the stated rules. Do you think those who don't get a seat will be blaming Steve Brock? I don't think so. It will be the club's fault again because we didn't take adequate steps to prevent this from occuring. As for your claim "the organizers" expressly OK' ing members signing up other members..... I don't think that it was the intentl of the organizers to have one person signing up 40 members as you've indicated. In fact, one of the prime organizers, Gene Trimble, said so in no uncertain terms in response to one of your earlier posts. I think the intent of the organizers was offered as a compormise that a club member could sign up another club member, or a spouse of a club member, who was unable to attend the announced sign up time. So Steve, please let your lovely wife ( if that that was her attractive photo you posted) have her fun at the slots and leave the registration sign-up problem to those who will have to answer when all hell breaks loose! <g> Regards, Archie