AMA with Tournament Director MATT SAVAGE

[MattSavage]

People always seem to think that it is easy to put on these major events. I would love to see some of the top tournament players as Poker Tournament Director for the day.

[MattSavage]

The thing I'd like to see in poker more than anything else is for players to play faster.

[MattSavage]

The new rule number 2, regarding player responsibility is what I believe is the most interesting development.

Most definitely, as a TD it is our duty to make rulings in the best interests of a fair game.

[MattSavage]

As a player, you paid an entry fee. So I think it is your responsibility to call the clock, if you feel that somebody is playing too slow.

[MattSavage]

I have always been passionate about my job, and I take it very seriously. What really bothers me, is when players feel that we are doing the TDA for our own benefits. And I actually took great offense to some of the comments made on Twitter.

[MattSavage]

On occasion, my kids do travel with us. I usually try to add a little extra time on to see the sights. My children are great. They keep up in their schoolwork, and we have a great family here to support us.

[MattSavage]

Not at all. I do not believe the new universal rules are too limiting. I feel that amateur players should be treated the same as the pros. For the benefit of the game, all players should be treated equal.

I am happy to conform with all TDs with the interest of standardization-which will make it better for players worldwide.

[mrickett]

I have always been passionate about my job, and I take it very seriously. What really bothers me, is when players feel that we are doing the TDA for our own benefits. And I actually took great offense to some of the comments made on Twitter.

I saw some of those comments on twitter... I can understand players being worried about that but honestly if they paid closer attention and watched how you guys go about discussing the rules they'd see that it's to make tournaments better for everyone, not only TDs.

[MattSavage]

I would say I was pretty patient before poker, but holding every job in a poker room, really helped me learn to see different sides of every issue. I've always felt like treating other employees with respect as well as treating every play with the same respect is the most important aspect of a good manager.

I'm not sure that golf and poker have much similarity... Personally, I am a much different player on the golf course, whether be good or bad.

[MattSavage]

I saw some of those comments on twitter... I can understand players being worried about that but honestly if they paid closer attention and watched how you guys go about discussing the rules they'd see that it's to make tournaments better for everyone, not only TDs.

Thank you, I feel very strongly that that is the case as well.

[mrickett]

Thank you so much for your time, Matt! You stayed and answered our questions for quite a bit longer than we expected and we really appreciate it. Thanks for all the great work you're doing standardizing tournament rules for us.. tournaments will only get better for it in the long run.

Cheers!
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If you want to learn more about Matt Savage and the Poker TDA you can find more about him below:

Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SavagePoker
Matt Savage's Website: http://www.savagetournaments.com/
Poker TDA Official Website: http://www.pokertda.com/

You can watch the recording from the 2013 Poker TDA Summit from this past weekend here: http://www.pokertda.com/2013-poker-tda-summit-vi/

[ttanaka]

Amazing! Thanks Matt! You, sir, deserve more golf vacations as you are working WAY too hard (of course, we all appreciate it!!!).

The thing I'd like to see in poker more than anything else is for players to play faster.

I'm sure that applies to the golf course as well

(Eric may be the only golfer slower than myself...)

[Eric]

Thanks, Matt.