This sort of thing happens regularly in RCCL tournies. I was on a
recent HET-sponsored cruise with a 1K BJ tourney prize pool. At the
time of registration no seating assignments were given so I told my
wife "we're playing last". Not surprisingly, I identified only two
other players, out of the ~60 total, who were sharp enough to realize
the advantage of playing in the last prelim round.
During the early rounds, I noticed strategy being verbally offered at
the table between players and their spouses/friends. I asked the
RCCL Casino Host if strategy could be given to a spouse/friend and
she replied, "Of course" and looked at me as if I was an ignorant
dolt. Guess who used this to his advantage to himself and his wife
to the final table? 
What was even more amusing was a different development at our final
table. Players were allowed to pick their seats based on their score
in the prelim rounds. The highest score picked first, second place
next, etc. Since there were only seven hands dealt (and seven spots
on the table), third base was the seat to take. The first person
took this seat but the player with the second round draft pick took
FIRST BASE! The rest of us were then seated and dealing commenced
with first place getting the dealer button on the first hand. On the
second hand the dealer gives first base the first card out of the
shoe but the betting position was still determined by the button.
First base then proceeds to have a coronary at the table because he
received the first card (and, not surpringly, he had a stiff hand).
He proceeds to spew vulgarities and goes on and on. Finally, after
hearing enough, I chime in "it doesn't make a difference, the button
position is all that matters". He, being Joe Ploppie Expert,
asks "do you play much blackjack?" I could've pointed out his
complete ignroance since he took the worst seat on the table but I
pretty much kept my mouth shut. Joe Ploppie proceeds to piss and
moan to the dealer, the host and then the casino manager. He finally
tosses his chips at the dealer, who promptly puts them into her rack,
and starts to walk away. About five seconds later he's back and says
he "changed his mind". The dealer, not being certain how much he had
in chips, takes her best guess and counts out 400. Thoroughly amused
by this entire scene, I immediately object, knowing he only had 375.
The manager leaves to check the tape, returns a couple minutes later
and says, "375". Joe Ploppie, on full tilt, bets it all the next
hand and busts out.
The RCCL host said the tournaments are "for fun" and I completely
agree.
···
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "vpFae" <vpFae@...> wrote:
Is It Fair?
http://www.casinogaming.com/columnists/dancer/2008/0610.html