Allen Kessler calls out Prime Social Club in Houston for "weak" attempt to prevent COVID spread

Here's a picture Allen posted on his Facebook, with the caption, "Please poker tournament directors, if you want people to feel comfortable playing you need safety protocols like @shrpo or @SHRTPoker. Making a weak effort like this wont cut it in my book."




It should be noted that the tournament director at Prime is former Commerce TD Justin Hammer -- someone Kessler hasn't gotten along with for awhile. There is a possibility that this was mainly a shot at Justin. While Allen didn't name the venue, it was pretty obvious from looking at the picture, given the large PRIME on the wall.

That aside, does this picture bother you?

Clearly there's both a lack of social distancing, the masking seems inconsistent, and it's indoors.

To me, this looks dangerous, and I wouldn't go there. Of course, if nobody at the tournament has COVID, nobody's going to get sick. Ray Henson, who's from the Houston area and also frequently argues with Kessler, said that Kessler made the same complaint a few months ago, and nobody got sick. He said he also offered to make an over/under bet on the number of people catching COVID from that event, and Kessler wouldn't take it.

I still feel that this sort of setting is a mistake. COVID mainly spreads indoors, especially when there's a lot of people close together. If anyone there has COVID, there's going to be a lot of sick people.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Here's a picture Allen posted on his Facebook, with the caption, "Please poker tournament directors, if you want people to feel comfortable playing you need safety protocols like @shrpo or @SHRTPoker. Making a weak effort like this wont cut it in my book."




It should be noted that the tournament director at Prime is former Commerce TD Justin Hammer -- someone Kessler hasn't gotten along with for awhile. There is a possibility that this was mainly a shot at Justin. While Allen didn't name the venue, it was pretty obvious from looking at the picture, given the large PRIME on the wall.

That aside, does this picture bother you?

Clearly there's both a lack of social distancing, the masking seems inconsistent, and it's indoors.

To me, this looks dangerous, and I wouldn't go there. Of course, if nobody at the tournament has COVID, nobody's going to get sick. Ray Henson, who's from the Houston area and also frequently argues with Kessler, said that Kessler made the same complaint a few months ago, and nobody got sick. He said he also offered to make an over/under bet on the number of people catching COVID from that event, and Kessler wouldn't take it.

I still feel that this sort of setting is a mistake. COVID mainly spreads indoors, especially when there's a lot of people close together. If anyone there has COVID, there's going to be a lot of sick people.

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I'm surprised by all the guys over 60 that aren't concerned and that Asian broad in her 50s drinking with her mask down. Asians of that age range(old school) especially female are usually petrified and extremely compliant with mask rules.

Dan Ross, a blogger for Prime Social (and longtime poker media figure) shot back at Kessler today, in Prime Social's live blog:

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This = $4,880

L17 – Playing 5k/10k/10k – 80 of 1079 Remain

The two bags you see in this photo – one with 3BB and the other with 18BB – earned the participants $2,440 each.

How, you ask?

Well, you see, what happened was.

Matt Bond (3BB) and Scott Stewart (18BB) bagged on their first attempt at the Prime Social Signature Series Main Event, but they were less-than-thrilled with the contents.

Each returned for another flight. Bond bagged 994,000 last night to move a top-10 stack in to today's play.

Stewart bagged 1.592 million on Friday, the No. 2 stack among the 83 returnees.

That second $1,100 entry produced excellent results, and their first $1,100 went better than 2x.

Best Stack Forward is good for poker, Allen Kessler, we're all tired of your incessant whining.

That is all.

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https://primesocialtx.com/day-2-500k...vent-liveblog/ (scroll to the update around 2pm CST on February 28)


While this wasn't directly answering his criticism about the COVID danger, it was likely a jab at him for that reason. Allen has long been a critic of the "best stack forward" format, which allows players to re-enter flights even if they didn't bust the previous flight, and allows them to carry forward to day 2 their best day 1 stack. I agree with Kessler, as this very much encourages chip dumping to friends at the end if your stack for the flight isn't going to be the best.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PROUDBOY MAGA 2024

I'm surprised by all the guys over 60 that aren't concerned

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If you've been near a VFW hall or an Elks hall or any other place where older white guys generally hang out in the last year, you likely wouldn't be so surprised, and I live in Boston. The older guys who are concerned won;t be found in these places, those who aren't flock to these places. I presume/expect a poker room in Houston to show very similar behavior from its clients.

I really, really hate agreeing with Allen but he's right on the precautions and players should know what they're walking into before deciding to play.

Old white guys account for a large majority of players with mask issues where I deal. It should be easier to force them to comply in a tournament because the threat of being DQ'd is more severe than being told to leave a cash game for the night.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CardChucker

I really, really hate agreeing with Allen but he's right on the precautions and players should know what they're walking into before deciding to play.

Old white guys account for a large majority of players with mask issues where I deal. It should be easier to force them to comply in a tournament because the threat of being DQ'd is more severe than being told to leave a cash game for the night.

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mask snitches are pathetic

Dan Ross responds on Allen's Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/allen.kessl...31042470260480

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Dan Ross
I am right here, folks, as the author of the post. I've known Allen for decades and his attacks have at times been very direct, and my replies have been the same, from praise for politely addressing issues to being very direct when his comments cross the line. The appearance here is people believe my comment crossed the line with Best Stack Forward. He and I have debated the Best Stack Forward concept for years and we disagree on it. The line was my comment about his stance on the topic and those replying here do not appreciate it. Thank you for letting me know your feelings on the matter. People are never going to agree with everything I say, I sure hope they don't! I didn't read it the way others took it and I appreciate the feedback. If all we all ever hear is positive feedback, we can never improve at whatever it is we do.

Jennifer Pique
Dan, the issue isn’t what you said. At least, mine isn’t. It’s the appearance that the sentiment was from Prime Social. Which is tacky and creepy that a poker room would be snarky and rude to a player on social media. If it were presented as your opinion, I think people would find it less inappropriate. You are entitled to loathe Allen if you want and I doubt anyone would try to talk you out of it. The industry, however, needs to keep at least the facade of guest service and professionalism.4

Renee Boelloeni
wow! I'm super surprised that you would write a personal negative opinion on a page when you're supposed to be representing a company. Whether or not it's true or deserved, it's very tacky and unprofessional. You would be fired in the real (non poker) world. I would have thought being in poker /broadcast /journalism so long that you would know better.

Allen Kessler
I thought better of you Dan Ross. I expect a public apology on twitter from you as well as your employer. Please let me know whether or not a public apology is forthcoming. Thank you.

Melissa Burr
Kessler gives and takes jabs all over the internet... I get it. But he's an individual customer. I'd love to see professional companies act professional. Making personal attacks against your customers in such a public format is pretty unacceptable in my mind. I've seen pokernews reporters take direct shots at individuals in their chip updates and I've always taken the stance that it's pretty awful. As is this. It's free to be professional, try it out.

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Ouch!

Looks like most people don't like the jab at Kessler in the chip updates!

I am doubtful that a local tournament TD has much input, if any input at all, as to the safety protocols in the casino which employs him/her. Each State and local County has its own guidelines and there is little doubt that a casino will try to do the very minimum required.

After that it's up to each individual to decide whether they feel comfortable.

I would not go into my local grocery store let alone sit for a prolonged tournament with the folks as pictured at that Prime Social Club tournament.