This is an interesting concept, but I wonder how well it will work in practice? I also wonder if Ron could avoid bubbling if he played home games w/ a partner?

http://pokergazette.com/simpnews/singlenews.php?lang=en&layout=def&category=1&newsnr=2286

Poker is in a league of its own at Casino Morongo

League poker is finally coming to our area, and that's exciting news. Casino Morongo's Tag Team Poker League begins Sept. 6, and continues every Wednesday night through Dec. 13. League poker is great fun because, for once, it's not every man (or woman) for themselves. You've got a teammate, and their winning play benefits you, which is a completely different mindset than any other approach to the game. Morongo has set-up their league in a very appealing format. The teams will consist of two players who alternate playing during the course of the tournament. Each team member sits in for 20 minutes, then sits out for 20 minutes and the game changes each time the player changes. The basic game will be Limit Hold 'Em, and the alternate game will be either No-Limit Hold 'Em, Omaha Hi-Lo, or Crazy Pineapple. It will work like this: at the start of each weekly tournament, one of the three alternate games will be randomly chosen. Limit Hold 'Em will start it off, then the game that is selected from among the other three will be played every other round. The prize package is awesome. First off, there is the tournament pay-out for the winning team of the week. Then, at the end of the 14-week schedule, based on accumulated points, the top 10 teams will compete in the league championship. All teams in the championship round will win cash and prizes. In addition, the first place team gets two $10,000 entries to the 2007 World Series of Poker. The cost for each player is $100 to register, plus $35 per week. Registration is going on right now in Morongo's poker room. Go for it. Team poker is a unique experience, and besides, what else do you have to do on Wednesday nights? I promise it'll be more fun than sitting in front of your computer playing online. So, grab a partner and join the party. For my teammate, I've recruited Wayne Hodge. Wayne is a true gentleman, and one of the finest tournament players around. I'm no fool. I need all the help I can get. By Jill Cohen

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"I don't think I had the nuts in that tourney at any point except when I hit quads on the river against Lindy"

Funny, I'm down here by Morongo right now.  I've played there before.  Actually don't like their poker room too much...when you sign up for a game you have to stand around inside the poker room.  No pagers, etc and it's cramped in there.  Atleast they have restrooms in the poker room though.

Anyway, I think for this to work you'd have to really trust the player.  Most poker players KNOW they are the best and would not want to give up their stack to let someone else play it.  Poker players tend to be non-team players.  To be a successful poker player you almost have to believe that no one else could possibly play close to your ability. 

I know a couple of players that I'd trust but doubt it would go the same for them.  For instance, I would completely trust my brother to play and know that he did his best but I'm not sure he'd trust me because I know he KNOWS he's better than me.  I"ll have to ask him in a few minutes when he picks me up. :) 

The other thing about this is that styles can sometimes be vastly different.  Stack sizes adjust according to those styles and that might interfere with the other player's style.  I also wondered how you would know the players you're up against but I guess they are all switching at the same time so you'd be playing against the same opponents.

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In order to live, you must be willing to die.
--Amir Vahedi