Ideas to make contests more interesting

[Webman]

This topic has come up from time to time over the years, and we'd like to get people's thoughts organized in one place. We have some ideas to make contests more interesting for everyone, but would love to hear from all of you about what YOU would like to see. Obviously we can't take every idea, but I'd like to see some discussion about what would make your experience the most fun. We would love to launch a new contest format in 2014 that makes it a better experience for everyone.  There have been some great ideas thrown out there over the years, but please feel free to repeat them here.A few notes:1) One problem we are aware of is that much of the time, you need to be dealt a jackpot to win. We do want to do justice to these incredible jackpot wins and not eliminate them (for instance by only counting your second best score). But we also don't want that to be the only objective.2) Purely skill-based rewards (such as most hands played "correctly") are difficult, because someone could be using a program like Video Poker for Winners or strategy cards to always make the correct holds.3) Time-based rewards are also difficult, as the games can play faster or slower at times on different computers and we want this to be fair for everyone.4) More lines can be more fun, but it also rewards those dealt jackpots even more. So we want to be careful about making all games 10 line for instance, unless there is another factor that makes up for this.5) Gold members and free members must have the same odds of winning... there can be features for Gold members that improve the experience, but not that impact the odds of winning.Thanks for any and all thoughts... we look forward to everyone's ideas!

[edog743]

How about you do a daily contest that you play eight sessions you add all your scores together from all eight sessions divide by eight highest average wins. It would be something different.

[Galeygoo]

Thanks for the opportunity for us to voice, well, write our opinions, WM. 
First, GOOD LUCK -LOL.  As you know there's ALWAYS going to be someone who is going to be unhappy with whatever decision you make.  Hmmmm  LOL x 3
 
I can't imagine how many good ideas will be spun on this subject during the next few days, weeks, but, HERE'S where I'd like to start....
 
I love the end of the month contests and have shown interest in the past of increasing the amount of hands from 3 to ten.  If that is something you believe might cause difficulty or dissention, how about the possibility of offering more games to choose from during those end of month contests.  Sometimes the period of time seems never-ending if it's a game I don't enjoy.  ....just a thought for now....may come up with another..... 
 
Then, the choice is which games to combine will open ANOTHER can of worms......

[edog743]

Another idea would be have only one game be that JOB or DDB. Then let the chips fall where they may.

[doris13]

i love the idea of 10 play;5 play works for me too.i play for fun and i don't expect to win but i enjoy competing.

[snewbfire]

I like the idea of only having one game to choose from. Everybody has the same odds if they have to play JOB. But if TDB and JOB is on the same contest, the TDB will be the winner most of the time.

[auntipup1]

 I Have one loosen the machines up a little bit. I know several people who don't even play the contests anymore. I myself get discusted sometimes play 4 sessions before I get one 4 of a kind.  Boring throw us a bone once in awhile. I don't care what the game is I love poker, more hands would be a plus for me also.

[RandyMcspad]

You know, if you made all the contest TDB (or any variation actually as long as it is the only choice for that day) then this could make the "challenge" more... challenging for all.

This would allow everyone to play for the daily and the challenge instead of having to choose. Seems this would shift those less experienced to having a better shot through luck. And, a side effect could possibly be a larger payout for the month to any one individual by capturing a daily (or, can I dream? maybe two of them?) along with the challenge.

I guess it comes down to the goal of the site and the intended goal of the challenge. Geared towards those more experienced players or attracting more users and retaining them.

Just a thought.

[jleonard]

I like the idea of the one game in the daily to choose from, and the 5 hand deal. However, I would keep the game variation in the monthly contests, with unlimited hands I like to change up the games I play.All in all this is a great site and I look forward to playing on a daily basis.

[mogee]

Have the monthly contests start earlier in the day so that those of us on the east coast and midwest don't have to wait so long to begin competing.