Grabbing my popcorn about Bodog rakeback announcement

[Beanie]

These things rarely live up to the hype. Here is what they should do, give every poker player on their network 30% cashback for play. Bing Blang Blaow

Instead what I am going to guess they will do is do a tiered system based on play. If I am right, no one will care. Will be nice if it is automated though.

[Jeremy]

I can't wait to hear the lowdown on this. Either way it's easier for a room like Bodog to do something like this since they have never formally given rb. It's rooms like FT where "some get it, some don't" that have an almost unfixable problem.

[Beanie]

It's really not unfixable if you think of it. Remember when Stars introduced their program, they basically forfeited 25% of so on average. It's just a matter of them being willing to piss off a lot of people but without that change they will always have a big problem. Rooms have literally been created because of the amounts of Full Tilt players that don't get rakeback.

I am very optimistic about this Bodog thing actually, I hope it pans out. I have said before and I will say again this industry is better with Calvin Ayre in it and from what I hear the Budapest event showed why.

[Jeremy]

I agree, I am really looking forward to learning more about not only their solution to rakeback, but also the overall plans for the network as a whole. Bodog has undoubtedly had some bumps in the roads over the last couple years, but I think they are heading in the right direction now.

Some of the other "top 5" rooms better get their heads out of the sand regarding some things, unless they very well may be holding the bag in a year or so wondering what happened.

[MJ]

I'm excited for the network possibilities more than anything else - can't wait to watch this develop and since I wasn't around in the early years it will be nice to start at the ground floor with everyone else - bring it on!

[Ridge]

NM I see now

[CK]

I just hope theres not gonna be skins of bodog everywhere. I hate the "OMG we're a new room on the xxxx network and offer the best promotions and best games and best affiliate % and let me keep on trying to sell you why were better than the other site thats EXACTLY the same as us"

Way to many players are recycled throughout Merge and Cake.

Edit - I hope they are able to do what other networks do but just 100x better.

[MJ]

Merge and Cake don't do anything to promote themselves, and neither do most skins on the network. It's just a pay the fee, here's your skin, now go get some affiliates type of operation recycled over and over.

Bodog is taking a great approach to it as far as I can tell with skins being based on geography, and even seems like there is potential for skins to be based on game type. If I'm reading it right, that's a nice niche - and I'm sure Calvin will spend millions to promote the network as a whole.

I expect nothing but good things, as I also suspect it will be way more difficult to be approved for a skin - unlike some networks where all it takes is xx,xxx and a business plan, I'm guessing bodog is going to want to see 7 figure minimum on the books for promotional activities.

Of course I'm just guessing here, but I'm excited about it.

[cbe2869]

I am curious as to what their rakeback solution announcement will be as well and if it will affect players who are already receiving rakeback through an affiliate. Would love to see a solid internal vip/cashback system for everyone that doesn't affect player's existing rakeback deals. The only problem with this is it won't completely satisfy existing players without rakeback but wanting it. Regardless of what you give them they won't be satisfied if someone else is getting back more (vip system + rakeback).

[BodogBecky]

I am very optimistic about this Bodog thing actually, I hope it pans out. I have said before and I will say again this industry is better with Calvin Ayre in it and from what I hear the Budapest event showed why.

Aww, Beanie and all, thank you for the kind words, and this is exactly why I made the decision to start working for Calvin as of August 1...plus he pretty fun to work for. Ok, ok, and maybe I'm learning a little from him too. Seriously though, BodogBrand.com and all the licensees have an amazing team of people that are going to bring the Bodog brand to a new level and quick, with Calvin leading the pack. Also, I am EXTREMELY excited to have Patrik Selin as the Bodog Poker Network licensee, especially after spending so much quality time with him at BAC and EIG and personally witnessing the warm reception he received from just about everyone in attendance.

The industry is certainly better and way more fun with Calvin back in it...just wait until Calvin Ayre Tablog - 4th Quarter 2009 launches, this pro-industry "tablog" will be pure industry entertainment, info and fun. You are going to love it!!!

Oh, and for a taste of what working with Calvin is like, here are some beauties from his BAC keynote speech:

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