Sochi Poker Series: Praises and Notable Issues

The Sochi poker series, part of the EART series, is notable for its infrastructure, logistics, and branding, making it a significant event in Russian offline poker. The series faced significant challenges, including long queues and high commission fees, but also had its highlights.

Issues with Table Availability

Alexey 'mewezaso' Romanov mentioned that the main issue was the lack of tables, leading to long queues and difficulties in finding a seat for cash games. The number of available tables changed throughout the series, and there were only 23 tables in total. This was insufficient for the high number of players, especially during peak times.

High Commission Fees

The commission fees were high, and although regulars could make a profit, the fees were considered too large. The organizers received a significant amount of profit, but the high commission fees were a point of contention among players.

Atmosphere and Behavior

There were issues with dealers making mistakes and players behaving inappropriately, which affected the overall atmosphere. The behavior of some players, including those under the influence of drugs or alcohol, made the gaming experience unpleasant for others. Despite this, there were no formal complaints.

Limited Table Availability

Kirill 'Moron' Rodyonov noted that the limited number of tables caused problems, leading to the cancellation of some tournaments and long queues for cash games. The organizers had to cancel less popular tournaments due to the lack of tables, and new tables for cash games were not opened despite the high demand.