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What it takes to become a perfect TD today?

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Luca P.:
Hello folks,
I'll try to be very short and sweet:
the title is the hub of this topic.
"WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A PERFECT TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR?"
I'm a 22 years old italian TD in a 12 tables club. I've been working as TD  since 1 year and I must admit this is the job I've always dreamed about.
I've found a tumor on October 2010, an Hodgkin Limphoma which fortunately after 11 months of chemoterapy I've eliminated, but passion for this job never left me, and now it's grown so much that I want the best.
That's why I'm here, because many of you are very successful TDs and I know I have a lot of things to learn.
After the Bone Marrow Transplant, I'll be back and ready to start a regional championship and bring to WSOP the player who wins it.
So, please guys give me suggestions and hint about what it takes to become a real tournament director.
You are my father
Thank you
Luca

MikeB:
Hi Luca: I would suggest several things:

1: Experience. The more tournaments you manage, the better, you're definitely on the right track
2: Variety. If it's popular at all in Italy, try managing games other than Holdem. Try stud, Omaha, high / low, and mixed games... If it's not popular yet, then introduce them.  Also gain experience with all stakes: limit, no-limit, and pot limit.
3: Customer satisfaction. Ask your customers for feedback, what they would like to see improved...
4: Experiment with blind structures, awards, re-buys / add-ons, and (especially) payout ratios. The payout ratio is a major key to customer satisfaction IMO. The best overall structure will provide maximum payout ratio that is consistent with keeping the customer coming back, providing steady income for the house.

Here's a very short way to look at it: manage the event the way you would like to have it managed if you were playing in the tournament !

Looking forward to your posts!

Brian Vickers:
Ditto to the aforementioned.  Just want to add the following:

Be consistent in your rulings, but know that fairness and the best interest of the game overrule any technical ruling (It's rule #1 for a reason).

Make floor calls in the same manner every time.  I make my floor calls as follows:  First stand behind your dealer and with the dealer facing the table ask him/her to explain the situation, and if anyone tries to interrupt ask them to be quiet (in a nice way) until the dealer explains first (this helps establish that you support your dealer by literally having his back).  Secondly, repeat back the information in your own words so that you and your dealer both know you understand the situation.  Third, ask the player(s) involved if they would like to add anything.  Lastly, make your decision.  If it was a dealer error that contributed, follow up with the dealer after.

Stick to your guns, once you've made your decision for the situation don't back down.  Last week a player gave me a compliment that I'll never forget, he said "You've got what it takes to be a great floor person, you're large and in charge.  You make a decision and stick to it."  If you show weakness and/or uncertainty, a player will try to exploit it.
     The only exception to the previous rule is if new information radically changes the situation.  For instance last week I was called over to the table and told by the dealer that two players who were heads up showed their cards to each-other.  It seemed so cut and dry so I skipped my usual process and made a quick decision telling them that after the hand they would be on a one-hand penalty.  After I made my decision, the players told me that they asked the dealer if they could show their hand first and he said yes... I took away the penalty and counseled the dealer afterwards.

Last, have a good attitude, and it sounds like you have that covered  :D

Luca P.:
Thank you Mike and Brian.
I'm thinking of making a dealer coaching, and a regional championship.
Also next year a sort of little WSOP involving a lot of players.
I have thousands of ideas!

Brian Vickers:
Also, coffee helps.

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