PlayLive Melbourne – The Prelims (VIC)

TRANSPARENCY ISSUES

“Optional” Food Beverage/Hospitality Packages Rake not disclosed on schedule or structure sheets.

For many players, especially those new to PlayLive including some from the MGA player base and or interstate, this would be a surprise to see how rake is collected.

Having this information available up front would help avoid confusion or frustration at registration.

While I can see that the https://playlive.melbourne/terms-and-conditions page lists some details, it does not go into any specific details about how many additional chips, re-entries, add-ons etc.

Live Tournaments
Updated as of 19th October, 2024

1. Tournament Details

1.6 Food and Beverage: Every tournament entry offers the ability to purchase an optional Food and Beverage package that comes with additional starting chips. This package is not mandatory for participation, and will have no bearing on the total prize pool or displayed number of entries. 100% of the prize pool will be funded by tournament entry fees returned to players.

…..and

6. Prize Pool

6.2 The prize pool consists of the collective total of all buy-ins. Any amount contributed to Food and Beverage packages will have no effect on this total.

1.6
There is a claim that the packages have no bearing on the prize pool, however the fact that additional starting chips are issued will clearly affect the total number of chips in play, and this has to effect things like average stacks, ICM calculations, and this will always affect a player’s decision throughout many hands. It can also appear to be lacking integrity for chip auditing as many players like to do when a tournament especially when it gets towards the end.

EG. On MGA poster 2-7 Triple Draw $500+$100 – (30K START STACK only applies if $100 Food and Beverage contribution is made?)
EG. Prelims Poster BIG5@PlayLive NLH Satellite $300+$100 – (50K START STACK only applies if $100 Food and Beverage contribution is made?) & 50K ADD-ON STACK for $200 only applies if the $100 Food and Beverage was initially contributed?
EG. Finals Series Main Event $1300+$200 – (100K START STACK only applies if $200 Food and Beverage contribution is made?)

6.2
This claims that Food and Beverage Packages is not added to the Prize Pool but the schedule does not specify if that is the rake component

eg. On MGA poster 2-7 Triple Draw $500+$100 ( That $100 is the Food and Beverage contribution and not contributed to prize pool? )
eg. On Prelims Poster BIG5@PlayLive NLH Satellite $300+$100 ($100 is the Food and Beverage contribution and not contributed to prize pool? )
eg On Finals Series Main Event $1300+$200 – ($200 Food and Beverage contribution and not contributed to prize pool? )

There is also no mention of Food and Beverages more generally on the posts, schedules, structures or Terms & Conditions.

For example:
• Will Food and Beverages be available at the venue for players who do not purchase a package, which some packages can be up to $400?
• Can players bring their own snacks such as a muesli bar, water bottles, or dietary-specific items like protein/electrolyte mixed drinks?
• Will players need to purchase another F&B package if they re-enter?
• Will players need to purchase additional F&B packages if they play multiple events in one day?
These are the types of details that would be very helpful for players to know in advance and would ideally be included in “Updated Information” Facebook posts, schedules, structures or Terms & Conditions. So that players don’t get any surprises.

Here are the schedule posters I have referenced :
https://playlive.melbourne/the-finals-series

The Prelims

Weekly event posts and on the website https://playlive.melbourne/weekly-line-up
MGA on Facebook only

The schedule posters on Facebook and the website list the events in the way any regular player would expect to see at other venues interstate, with a rake charge. To be fair, most players expect to pay rake to the house to cover the costs of dealers, equipment, marketing, and other overheads incurred by an operator running an event.
However, there is no mention at all of this being optional, nor is there any mention of additional chips being issued if paid, and not issued if unpaid. This makes it unclear and not transparent.
It is also not transparent whether the rake, claimed instead as a Food and Beverage package, is in fact covering the usual expenses of dealers, equipment, and room overheads that rake would normally be allocated to.

In terms of the Weekly Schedule
At the bottom, this lists CASH GAMES ON DEMAND NLH & PLO at various stakes.
There is no information provided on the poster or the site about these games, such as whether there is a Time Charge, Rake, Commission, or Food and Beverage Package. It is also unclear whether they are run like a Timed Tournament, in which case a tournament payout structure or ICM payout method should be clearly stated.
Players need to be fully aware of all details in order to make informed decisions on Game Selection. Without transparency, it is impossible to determine if a game is beatable, good value, or worth committing bankroll or disposable funds to.