Hello,
As I use to say: I'm here in Europe one of the numerous defensor of the TDA even when it goes against the EPT or against my own preferences: I defend and fight to stick to the TDA because I'm a
UNIONIST and think that the more important is to have a common world rule that to follow the rule we prefer.
But it's hard here because the EPT is very respected by the European players and when his rules are different, many players argue that "the TDA is wrong and the EPT is right".
And ... The horrible news that during the last meeting the TDA cancelled the
"FIRST CARD OFF" rule (player away from his seat during the deal) and went back to the
"LAST CARD OFF" old system:
Here in Europe the first pro staff contacts I asked said that they will
NEVER go back to this rule "unless the EPT do it" and the point is that Neil Johnson (EPT) left the TDA meeting very pessimist about this decision saying that his own TD's won't follow the TDA in most of the cases ... !!!
It's terrible because not only this new-old rule has a risk not to be applied in Europe but also the TDA gives an image of "weakness" going to a rule - then yes - then no - from one year to another!
Some people also whisper that personnalities like Daniel Negreanu rule the TDA and this and that ... Blah Blah Blah
I use to fight from long years against the scepticism of the EPT fans TD's Floors and Dealers ... I thought they were recently respecting more and more the TDA but this last decision put me back in the early situation having some of them saying I'm too "TDA addicted", not enough "European and free spirit" etc.
Waiting for any union about it, I will maybe apply what I was doing for years: "Last Card Off" during most of the tourney and "First Card Off" durint all the hand by hand situation (to sit the players and clear the alleys).
The American Civil War started with fort Sumter, the "TDA Rules War" will start the very next time Daniel Negreanu will cross the ocean, play an EPT and stand away from his seat while the
VERY FIRST CARD WILL BE DEALED ... MOUARF!