Hey everyone, I know this thread came off the first page over six weeks ago, but I did want to let the community know the solution PokerStars came to. I'm sorry this took so long to post, it obviously didn't take long to write, but I did want to let the event pass and the situation die down completely.

After reviewing the situation (I assume a representative read through the article here, and the threads here and on TwoPlusTwo), Stars is allowing me a <span>one-time exception</span>, granting me a <span>seat-only credit</span> for future APPT Main Events, with the condition that I wear Stars apparel throughout the tournament.<span> </span>They stated that the grant was only issued because I provided a valid reason, and that they will not make the same exception for players who simply don’t want to travel and play the live event.

I’ve read other threads involving similar situations, and understand that not everyone will be pleased with this outcome, as it is explicitly stated in the T&C that the first seat won to a live event is a must-play.<span> </span>Although Stars has made an exception, please remember that I will still be playing the event and using the package.<span> </span>In fact, because the hotel portion was booked in advance and pre-paid, I could not be credited the full $9,500 package.<span> </span><span> </span>In the grand scheme of things, missing out of the value of the hotel isn’t a big deal. <span> </span>I’m very grateful that PokerStars is crediting me for a future event, as I was completely at their mercy and they simply could’ve denied my request. The opportunity to play in a big live event, the potential monetary gains, and the chance to travel across the world will be an unbelievable experience that I can't wait to take advantage of.

As a SNG grinder, I’ve become one of the least results-oriented people (that means outside of poker too) I know.<span> </span>After playing the satellite and emerging victorious, I’m confident I took the optimal line in this spot.<span> </span>Obviously, had I worked harder in school over the past sixteen months, or not played the satellite to begin with, this whole debacle would have been avoided. As my spring semester is about to begin, I hope to better balance poker with college, so I can maximize the utility I gain from both.

I want to thank everyone again for their responses and opinion on the situation.<span> </span>Good luck at the tables, and also in your endeavors off the felt.

- Matt Gordon

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I want to clarify some aspects of the situation, questions that arose in the responses, and include the results of my decision:

The satellite was a 50k FPP ($800) qualifier that I had been eyeing for a few days, after getting a promotional email from Stars.<span> </span>I saw there were very few people (and subsequent overlays) in the 1k FPP satellites to the 50k, and figured there would be a significant overlay in the actual event.<span> </span>Scotty from the VIP team said he didn’t think the satty would get even sixty players, meaning over 85k in packages would be up for grabs to few players, putting up only $800 to play!<span> </span>As it is, there were only 57 people in the satellite, a free $700 in equity.

I sold off some action to play in the satty, and before playing, asked my father what his thoughts were on me possibly winning a package to Australia.<span> </span>He said I shouldn’t bother playing the satellite because he wouldn’t let me go anyway, which I couldn’t imagine not being a ploy to prevent me from playing, just so he would avoid the possibility of me having to miss school.<span> </span>I figured there was no chance he would ever tell me to just shove it for $7.5k, and that I should play the satty because ~80% of the time, our conversation wouldn’t matter anyway, and I’d only have to “worry about it” if I won.<span> </span>Unfortunately, I underestimated the truth of his words, and now I have to suffer the loss.<span> </span>Tough to be results oriented, but I truly thought there was a 100% chance of me going if I won the package, and therefore, $700 in free equity couldn’t be turned down.

Reading through the replies, some people have questioned my reasons for creating the thread.<span> </span>It should be clear that there wouldn’t be a decision to make if I were simply looking for a green light from a bunch of poker players, so if anyone thinks I planned on making this decision solely by taking like a majority vote or something, that's just foolish.<span> </span>I brought this up to gain the insight of a wide range of people from a large demographic, each with their own opinion and suggestion.<span> </span>I’m very happy to have received over 250 responses between P5’s, 2p2, and another private forum.<span> </span>I wanted to get a bunch of advice, hearing absolutely every angle of the situation, allowing me to make the most +Life EV decision possible.

As far as my obligation to my parents, I’m nineteen years old; that makes me an adult, which means I can legally make my own decisions.<span> </span>I obviously know that, and LOL just because my parents say I'm not allowed to go, doesn't mean I “can’t go”.<span> </span>If I want to go, I can, and will, but simply won’t have the approval of my parents.<span> </span>It would be 100% impossible to hide something this monumental from them.<span> </span>We text/talk/video chat enough each week that I couldn’t possibly play it off like I was in Boston at school, or that my phone broke, or some other garbage excuse.<span> </span>This is especially true because since they already know of the opportunity, they may suspect a chance that I go against their wishes, further diminishing the chance of a successful cover up.

After coming home for Thanksgiving break last Tuesday, I spent part of each day discussing the situation, trying to do whatever I could to convince them that missing the six days of school really would have no effect on my semester grades.<span> </span>The only reason I am not going is because I stand to lose more than just missing six days of class by going, which unfortunately, is only true because the people who facilitate the life I have right now, the people who have the largest investment in me, aren’t confident enough that the above isn't true.<span> </span>Yes, missing six days of classes with no tests, quizzes, or assignments is not going to make or break my semester (this is going to be the easiest week of the year), and doing very well in the tournament would change my life, but it’s highly likely that I wouldn’t come back with a big score (probably over 85% that I wouldn’t even cash), and that I would positively come home to a shitty situation with my family and the people who love me the most.<span> </span>Yes, I’m throwing away 65% of equity in a $5.7k live event, plus $2.7k, an awesome life experience, and surely one of the best weeks of my life, but I’ll be retaining the support and trust of my parents and grandmother, something that as a dependant, I need to hold on to.<span> </span>I am absolutely positive that I will regret not going as this week unfolds, but hopefully as time goes on I’ll see that in the end, it was the better decision, and I’ll be thankful I was mature enough to make the right decision, seeing through all the glamour of a potentially life changing trip.

It was tough surfing through the thread and reading responses calling me immature, selfish, and unappreciative, among others.<span> </span>However, I actually believe I’m a very mature person when it comes to making good decisions and managing money well.<span> </span>I also think I’m one of the most likable, selfless people I know.<span> </span>Unfortunately, not putting forth a solid effort at college is the biggest mistake of my life, and it’s causing others to see me in a negative light.<span> </span>One of the replies mentioned my eloquent writing and attention to miniscule grammatical details, which I try to adhere to in all of my posts.<span> </span>I know that I’m a very smart kid, and that I’m not a “life fuck up” as some have suggested, there’s a reason I was admitted to BU and it’s unfortunate that I haven’t applied myself to my schoolwork optimally over the past three semesters.<span> </span>Surely I could excel in Boston, and of course it has run through my mind that it’s possible college isn’t the right place for me.<span> </span>Surely a time will come where I’ll know the answer for sure, but something has to change.<span> </span>I have to begin balancing college and poker more efficiently.<span> </span>I have a lot to sort out in my life, but hopefully this decision shows me that my heart is at school and in getting an education, and convinces me to really put forth a significant effort at Boston in my remaining five semesters.<span> </span>As it is, things are better this year than they were last year.<span> </span>I’m going to be off academic probation, and from there hopefully my grades will only continue to improve.<span> </span>I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t been able to properly prioritize my schoolwork with poker and a social life over the last fifteen months, and my father noted that my poor grades from last year were the primary factor in his disapproval, I’ve wasted over $8k in tuition ($12k after this semester) via dropping/failing classes, and one of the consequences is taking the hit this week.

I’m obviously going to email Stars and their APPT team, maybe they’ll help me out with a comp for a future Stars sponsored event, or maybe next year’s APPT Sydney, it’s my last hope for not losing 2.7k, taking a large swing in equity, and missing out on an awesome opportunity. <span> </span>Whether they can help me out or not, this whole last week will be chalked up as a life lesson.<span> </span>It sucks if I end up eating the package, but there really isn’t another option, this is the most +Life EV choice.

I want to thank everyone for their responses; it really helped me to see all the factors involved in the dilemma.

Good luck at the tables,

MDG0RD0N

CLIFF NOTES:<span> </span>Not going to Sydney, I stand to lose more than just missing six days of class by going, which unfortunately, is only true because the people who facilitate the life I have right now, the people who have the largest investment in me, aren’t confident enough that the above isn't true.<span> </span>The life equity I have from the people who back me is more than the life equity I’d gain from a week in Australia.

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Aiight, last weekend I won an $800 satellite to APPT Sydney, a package valued at $9500, which includes entry to a ~$5600 tourney, ~$1900 reserved for the hotel, and $2k cash. The package is non-refundable and non-transferable, and is for next week in Sydney, AU.<span> </span>I sold off 35% of the satellite, so I owe 35% of roughly $7.6k in equity, around $2.7k (should I not attend).<span> </span>I spoke to my father prior to playing the satellite, asking him what he thought of me possibly going to Australia, to which he told me not to play it because he wouldn’t let me “fly across the fucking world to play in a stupid poker tournament”.<span> </span>I explained to him that I didn’t think he actually go through with it and tell me to shove it for $7.5k if I really did win the package, which wasn’t going to happen anyway (winning the seat) like 80-85% of the time.<span> </span>Obviously, I won, and now I’m stuck in a bind because my parents have explicitly said I am not allowed to go.<span> </span>They don’t want me to miss six days of classes.<span> </span>I checked the upcoming stuff in my classes prior to playing, just in case.<span> </span>I have no tests, and no assignments due, just class.

I'm currently a sophomore at Boston University, on academic probation from a poor first year. I rowed on the crew team freshman year (definitely had an effect on my lack of performance in the classroom), and dropped my second semester writing class last spring to try and avoid academic probation, so I could continue crew the next year (this past fall). I fell just short of the required 2.0 cumulative GPA, and had to give it (crew) up in September.

This fall, I was taking third semester calculus (a class I failed last year, a "freshman mistake", as I was misinformed about the penalties of dropping a class, continued, and failed anyway), stats, physics, and the writing class I dropped last spring. I'm doing decent to well in the former three classes, but I recently dropped my writing class because I didn't do the work and was likely going to fail, and after dropping, I know I'll be off probation (because I'm doing well enough elsewhere), and therefore not on review for expulsion should next semester not go well. I have not told my parents this, and I don't intend to until after my other good grades come in, so I can show that I'm off probation, and it worked out for the best (though burned $4k in tuition, twice).

I’m aware that they can’t exactly to anything to ensure I don’t go on the trip, but I’m weary of the consequences that would await my return, should I opt to travel behind their back anyway.<span> </span>My grandmother pays for my tuition, doesn’t like poker because it’s “gambling”, and so my whole family has taken steps to hide and downplay the amount of time I dedicate to this game and the amount of money I play for.<span> </span>My parents pay for all my expenses except for those that are mine (ie. an external monitor for poker), and I live at home over breaks and the summer (though I plan to live in Boston this summer).

I’ve spoken to several people deeply about the situation, they all suggest I go, and take advantage of an opportunity that just isn’t available often.<span> </span>I have to decide very soon, as the outbound flight is likely to be Sunday, Monday at the latest, and I have to renew my passport (another mess, as I’d have to travel to NYC to get it super-expedited, which you can do if you can prove departure from the country within two weeks), which would have to be done tomorrow (Friday), and therefore I’d have to book a flight tomorrow too.<span> </span>I feel like I would regret not going if I were in Boston on Monday, and I feel I may just not go to class for the week simply out of spite.<span> </span>I feel my parents are way overvaluing five days of class.<span> </span>I know I’m going to be off academic probation after this semester, and these five days aren’t affecting my ability to obtain a degree.

As for the package to bankroll ratio...I'm a SNG grinder, have been playing poker for five years, but only seriously since March. I've made in the low five figures from poker over the years, but > 90% of it is from this year, so the value of the package is a significant percentage of the money I've made from this game. I'm currently being coached, and plan to make some good money in 2010.

The easy decision is prioritizing APPT package versus six days of class, the difficult one is whether to go behind my parents back about it. What would you do?<span> </span>Thanks for any and all responses, this decision has been bothering me for a week.

Cliff Notes:<span> </span>Won a package to APPT Sydney, valued at $9500, which is non-refundable, non-transferable, and must be used next week in Sydney, AU.<span> </span>I have to decide whether to book a flight or not tomorrow (Friday), so I can prove I’m leaving the country so I can renew my expired passport.<span> </span>My parents have explicitly said I can’t go, because they don’t want me to miss six days of classes, which I have no assignments or tests at during the week in question.<span> </span>I’m not doing well in school, and currently on academic probation, but will be off in a few weeks after this semester ends.

I said "transfer it to me"...are you sure you cant transfer it or whatever....wow that sucks..

Trust me on this im 38 and i would listen to ur parents mate. In my case, i would tell my parents to shove it, but not the best move with a raise UTG and your thinking of going all-in on the button with 72o.

There will be more down the road, stay at school and keep ur family on side.. And this is from a person who see's his family like 3 times a year

Plus i would try and get out of it again....the event starts on Tuesday (Monday your time).

If you do come over, i will be there day 1....so hope to say Hi...and shake your hand.

Rod

I'd do it. Try and cover it up if you think that is your only option but that isn't necessarily the "right" thing to do, I would just tell them. Don't think I could pass up an opportunity like that EVER though.

First off I hate it when parents are not open minded about "gambling." That tilts the shit out of me, as my parents have helped me tremendously in my poker career. I also think you should make this decision for yourself above all and not depend on us or anyone else telling you what to do...With that said, it does sound like you have a good thing going there at home but once you decide to play and win the satellite, you have to go don't you? Your dad said not to play, you probably shouldn't have played but think about it, it's the chance of a lifetime! You may not ever get this opportunity again. I have always wanted to go to Sydney since I saw the 2000 Olympics, its fucking gorgeous dude. Go to Sydney, take the tourny down, and come brag to us about it imo.

You need to go. This is a big opportunity.

What I would do if I were you:

1. Try really hard to talk to the site about your issue and see if they will allow you to take a different package instead at a later date. Doubt it will work, but give it a go!

2. Tell your parents the truth. Inform them that you are sorry this is happening, but it's a $5600 buyin, and to pass up this opportunity would be extremely foolish. Advise them that no matter what, you are going to work extra hard when you get back. Give them some sort of guarantee about what your grades will be, then meet that goal.

3. Try REALLY hard at school when you get back, and talk with your parents about your progress daily.

All of your options suck. I believe this one sucks the least.

 

Originally Posted by Jennifear

You need to go. This is a big opportunity.

What I would do if I were you:

1. Try really hard to talk to the site about your issue and see if they will allow you to take a different package instead at a later date. Doubt it will work, but give it a go!

2. Tell your parents the truth. Inform them that you are sorry this is happening, but it's a $5600 buyin, and to pass up this opportunity would be extremely foolish. Advise them that no matter what, you are going to work extra hard when you get back. Give them some sort of guarantee about what your grades will be, then meet that goal.

3. Try REALLY hard at school when you get back, and talk with your parents about your progress daily.

All of your options suck. I believe this one sucks the least.

Your family will always be on ur side... opportunities come and go, this seems like a chance to make ur dreams come true, ill take it!!! ull never regret losing the tourney but always not knowing what would have happenned...

You wont always please your folks...Great opportunity for you,Great country to visit just be honest with them and be a man and tell them you are going!!

tbh i think that the fact that you're so open to advice on this subject suggests you have the maturity to head over and do this.

the type of kids who drop out of uni are the same type who, in this situation, would tell their parents to get fucked and head off to sydney.

can you get any of your classes streamed online? at my uni they record the lectures and stuff so if i'm sick or something i can always watch them later. maybe if you could plan a way to catch up on all the work you're missing out on, and go through this with your parents, they'd let you go.

if your confident they wont stop paying for your stuff then go for it i guess, seems like no1 really knows other than you how upset they might get

^^This

Plus you're an ingrate.

Please go, please get your AA cracked on hand one, please have your parents find out and cut off your support and please screw up your education.

Better to regret something you have done, than something you haven't.

so basically you threw away 1 year of school at BU ~40k in tuition.

and the 2nd year is going down pretty shitty.

if i were your parents, I wouldn't let you go either.

If you were my son and went against my wishes, I would be fine with your decision to stand up and be an adult, But obv I would not pay your tuition, I would take my car and credit cards back, discontinue his car insurance, cell phone. I would turn his room in to a guest room, which he could glady use when he was in town visiting for a few days. So basicly if you add up the AMOUNT OF $$ it will cost you over the next several yrs as you can see listening to your parenst is +ev.

 

Originally Posted by matze_widi

u shouldn´t have played it in the first place...

but thats not the point...talk to your parents again and try to explain them the situation and tell them right away that u are going anyway.

i would def take the opportunity since u prolly get never soon the change again to play in such a GIGGG event.

gl to u, do what u gotta and wanna do and take it dwon sir

and do what jenn said, look hard after your grades in school and prove that the miss of a weeek hasnt efect your grades...

gl sir

lol at telling your parents he's going to go anyway.

look hard at your grades and prove that the week hasn't effected it.

he's on academic probation, proving he can keep that up isn't that hard.

Yea, I agree with grapsfan.

If you are going to lose your parent's support, playing the tournament would be -EV. At the same time if you can lie to them or be able to persuade them not to be totally furious, go for it.

Also missing 6 days shouldn't be that big of deal if there are no tests or anything due. It shouldn't be too hard to get notes, and if you had ok professors you could probably even tell them you have no choice to miss 6 days, just in case they decide to throw in a pop quiz.