F C P Protege's ... What The Heck Ever Happened To Them?

[silkyjonson 1]

I agree we should'nt make fun of him, its just hard not to when you hear he is dealing at Bills Gambling Hall.

[Naismith 0]

Being a dealer is better than working for the man.

[zimmer4141 0]

I guess I just feel like the Protege program was kind of disappointing overall (especially cause it excluded everybody under 21 ) but more for the fact that it was a tremendous opportunity that could have given an already good player a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a top player. Instead, it basically turned into a huge crapshoot which doesn't guarantee that anybody with any talent would win. Obviously there is some element of skill required, but when you give somebody like Jerry who had a minimal understanding of the fundamentals of poker something like a 5% chance to win this tremendous opportunity it feels somewhat hollow. The way it was structured, it essentially took a bunch of people with varying skill levels, and put them in a decently structured SnG for an opportunity of a lifetime.I would have liked it more if it was just a ME seat or something, but I feel like that big of an opportunity is wasted on somebody who just wins a series of donkaments. Sometimes you get somebody with a good passion and understanding of the game (Fidler), sometimes you get somebody who doesn't have much of a drive to succeed in the game (Amak). What I really would've liked to see is somebody who already had passion for poker and success in the game (like Naked_Cowboy, Sol, or gobears) and see what they could've done with that opportunity. I guess in the end it was more of a promotion for the poker site than a contest to find a great player.I also think that it obviously took a ton of attention from Daniel's side of it to be successful, and especially with a student that didn't have the same drive and passion that he does it's tough for him to put in the effort. In the end, it was just another DN marketing/business venture that had a good idea and was well-intentioned, but didn't quite payoff like he or any of us hoped.

[gilbertology 0]

So is protege III still in the works?

[GWCGWC 83]

The way it was structured, it essentially took a bunch of people with varying skill levels, and put them in a decently structured SnG for an opportunity of a lifetime.

That promotion brought a ton of new players to the site and ultimately made the cash games and MTT's easier to beat. They had to offer different ways to earn a seat so even a non accomplished player would have a shot at winning the package. Good/decent players had quite a few chances to win a seat. I hear what you're saying but the promotion was to drive traffic to the site, not to make a superstar. I'd lay odds the Protege promotion cost the poker site more money than they gained.

[king_tanner 84]

What's wrong with Bill's gambling hall. From what I hear it is hard to get a job dealing anywhere in Vegas.Also for the low stakes players, the $1 NL game is the most fun game in Vegas imo.

[FCP Bob 1,321]

I guess I just feel like the Protege program was kind of disappointing overall (especially cause it excluded everybody under 21 ) but more for the fact that it was a tremendous opportunity that could have given an already good player a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a top player. Instead, it basically turned into a huge crapshoot which doesn't guarantee that anybody with any talent would win. Obviously there is some element of skill required, but when you give somebody like Jerry who had a minimal understanding of the fundamentals of poker something like a 5% chance to win this tremendous opportunity it feels somewhat hollow. The way it was structured, it essentially took a bunch of people with varying skill levels, and put them in a decently structured SnG for an opportunity of a lifetime.I would have liked it more if it was just a ME seat or something, but I feel like that big of an opportunity is wasted on somebody who just wins a series of donkaments. Sometimes you get somebody with a good passion and understanding of the game (Fidler), sometimes you get somebody who doesn't have much of a drive to succeed in the game (Amak). What I really would've liked to see is somebody who already had passion for poker and success in the game (like Naked_Cowboy, Sol, or gobears) and see what they could've done with that opportunity. I guess in the end it was more of a promotion for the poker site than a contest to find a great player.I also think that it obviously took a ton of attention from Daniel's side of it to be successful, and especially with a student that didn't have the same drive and passion that he does it's tough for him to put in the effort. In the end, it was just another DN marketing/business venture that had a good idea and was well-intentioned, but didn't quite payoff like he or any of us hoped.

It funny that people are viewing things in a negative way in hindsight.The first Protege promo was without a question a large success. It did what we wanted from a marketing standpoint and Brian finished 2nd for a 6 figure score with one of his tourney buyins. I don't know that Brian has any negative feelings towards Daniel or FCP but to my knowledge he received everything that he should have from FCP.FCP ended up paying Sol's entry to a $5K WSOP tournament since we liked him and his game so much. This wasn't a staking deal and anything he won would have been his. It was just a consolation prize that was given after the fact that wasn't part of the prizes that anybody expected.I think all the final table players had a positive experience other than any disappointment they had from not winning.The second promo was taking place just as the UIGEA passed and that had an effect on it not being as successful as the first. The UIGEA was such a kick in the gut since it meant that we had to change networks and all the change and fallout as a result of that took it's toll. I really don't think people understand how successful the FCP cardroom was just before the UIGEA hit and the marketing and publicity from the Protege Promos played a part.

[JubilantLankyLad 1,957]

copycati don't think it's crazy to assume a dealer is a step down in happiness anyway. being an accountant really sucks. a huge part of me would be happier playing in vegas and dealing part time than being an accountant sometimes.

no one cares about how your penis feels about being attached to an accountant.

[FCP Bob 1,321]

So is protege III still in the works?

Poker Stars has the rights to do a Protege Promo if they want but it doesn't appear to be on their radar.

That promotion brought a ton of new players to the site and ultimately made the cash games and MTT's easier to beat. They had to offer different ways to earn a seat so even a non accomplished player would have a shot at winning the package. Good/decent players had quite a few chances to win a seat. I hear what you're saying but the promotion was to drive traffic to the site, not to make a superstar. I'd lay odds the Protege promotion cost the poker site more money than they gained.

The promotion cost a lot of money. The final prize was only a small part of the costs involved especially of the first one since it was also a TV show and those are not cheap to make.

[GWCGWC 83]

The promotion cost a lot of money. The final prize was only a small part of the costs involved especially of the first one since it was also a TV show and those are not cheap to make.

It was a great value for the players and that's a FACT.The UIGEA tilts me so hard.

[Naked_Cowboy 0]

please don't construe anything i'm saying as negative bob. i count myself extremely lucky to have been able to take part. the only negative feelings i have at all are toward myself for the way i played

[FCP Bob 1,321]

please don't construe anything i'm saying as negative bob. i count myself extremely lucky to have been able to take part. the only negative feelings i have at all are toward myself for the way i played

Oh I knew this already although you are probably being too hard on yourself if you think you played poorly. I think you probably wanted to win more than anybody at that second final table and I know that you were disappointed in the end result.

[wildspoke 2]

Poker Stars has the rights to do a Protege Promo if they want but it doesn't appear to be on their radar. a TV show and those are not cheap to make.

I'm in promotional advertising and from top to bottom the first protege contest was a monumental success. The format was original and gave 9 players the opportunity to live their dream. It would have been phenomenal if Brian or the other guy was able to carry the momentum into something bigger but as others have said, Fidpoker is still trying. I for one was glued to my laptop watching the final table for the first event. I thought Daniel and Ali did an amazing job. The amount of leg work that went into the whole thing is something that should be applauded and held up as a shining example of what can happen when you are given a shot with the help of a top flight pro. Brian had 200k+ score and got to swing with the big boys while in sin city. Very cool in my book. Wasn't FID featured in Carplayer magazine? That in itself is very cool. How can anyone say that the first protege contest was not a resounding success?One final note, all to often when promotions are run, the interested parties are not the people selected. The winner more often than not is usually drawn from a pool of people in the 'second chance drawing' Both protege contests pulled directly from the FCP community. This charter member would just like to say well done, Fullcontactpoker.

[nutzbuster 7]

copycati don't think it's crazy to assume a dealer is a step down in happiness anyway. being an accountant really sucks. a huge part of me would be happier playing in vegas and dealing part time than being an accountant sometimes.

Change the job from accountant to my job title and I am with ya brutha. Given my current situation, if I could deal and make the same scratch I am now I'd do it (one more year...tick tock tick tock)And wasn't it true that (at least a while back) dealers at say Bellagio were pulling in close to $100K a year?Bottom line was Brian did seem to be very happy in spite of everything (whatever that may be). He also said the games were the most fun lower stakes on the strip and I can see where that is probably the case. Everyone there seemed to be enjoying themselves.

[nutzbuster 7]

I'm in promotional advertising and from top to bottom the first protege contest was a monumental success. The format was original and gave 9 players the opportunity to live their dream. It would have been phenomenal if Brian or the other guy was able to carry the momentum into something bigger but as others have said, Fidpoker is still trying. I for one was glued to my laptop watching the final table for the first event. I thought Daniel and Ali did an amazing job. The amount of leg work that went into the whole thing is something that should be applauded and held up as a shining example of what can happen when you are given a shot with the help of a top flight pro. Brian had 200k+ score and got to swing with the big boys while in sin city. Very cool in my book. Wasn't FID featured in Carplayer magazine? That in itself is very cool. How can anyone say that the first protege contest was not a resounding success?One final note, all to often when promotions are run, the interested parties are not the people selected. The winner more often than not is usually drawn from a pool of people in the 'second chance drawing' Both protege contests pulled directly from the FCP community. This charter member would just like to say well done, Fullcontactpoker.

Without a doubt these were the best times/months of FCP imo.

[zimmer4141 0]

Yeah, I said in my post that I realize that it was a promotion for the poker site first and foremost it was a promo for the poker site. It goes back to the old arguments we used to have based on the community vs. the poker site, which have basically all been hashed out by now.

[El Guapo 8]

I just wanted to post and say that I don't think we should be making fun of FidPoker if he took his shot and didn't make it, and is now a dealer. I mean, that is pretty standard operating procedure for a ton of players. He might be not want to talk about FCP because he feels embarrassed about not making it right away. But in the grand scheme of things, he's working in the industry. It might work out, it might not. But that's a pretty common road for people to go down.Mark

I don't think anyone was making fun of him, at least I did not take it that way. I actually wish he came back and gave a time line of what happened when. A Well of sorts.

[nutzbuster 7]

I actually wish he came back and gave a time line of what happened when. A Well of sorts.

this^ , from both actually.

[gilbertology 0]

FCP Poker room was some good times.Any chance of FCP getting back in that market if the UIEGA gets repealed?

[troyomac 0]

My poker confidence was at an all time high during the protege contests. I regret not putting in a bigger effort than I did. I also regret getting 1 outed in the one SNG to get to the protege tourney

[LHSharpie5 0]

It's surprising too, because everything else Daniel touches turns to gold.

I am posting for the first time in about 2 years to say that this cracked me up. Carry on.

[WhatArunAA 0]

Still willing to be the 3rd protege.

[TB17 0]

wtf is fidler seriously dealing at bill's or is this one of Potter's sick jokes?

[nutzbuster 7]

wtf is fidler seriously dealing at bill's or is this one of Potter's sick jokes?

My old man memory is a little foggy regarding all of this, but the more I think about it I want to say he had a hand in the ultimate decision for Bills to go ahead and spread small stakes games there. And when you think about it, there is a TON of casual, dare I say 'lower level' traffic (sorry to sound elitist, but it's true) swirling around that very busy corner. Lots of good people but with much shallower pockets than most of the folks that play at Venetian and Bellagio, etc. There was also little to no poker available at that part of the strip really and Bills tables(3 I think) are right there at the front door, which makes it easy to spot if you only got a hundo and want to play without feeling intimidated at the other mega resorts poker rooms.As far as I know it is good times over there (I.P. too for that matter. both operations are related).Just avoid the elevators...

[ajs510 122]

It turned out that Jerry was DNA's long lost Uncle and nothing has made me more proud than the fact that we were able to reunite that Family.

So you're saying we should PM DNA for more info?