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I have a problem which I have never had before....And I dont want a bunch of bullshit and egotistical remarks..   In a venue where I had a fairly decent crowd (our business depends on establishing a customer base or following) they have started texas holdem It brings in a good crowd but it has taken the seats from my regulars and they are starting to quit coming in.. About 9 or 10 karaoke picks up but I start at 8 p and dont like going to to 1 or 1:30 ( It is a VFW which I am a member of and only charge $125)

 l am thinking of blowing this gig off for I have lost the customer base i had originally plus no prospects of gaining more... Any suggestions will be humbly appreciated...

Thank You, Ollie   Cabaret Karaoke

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Sorry to hear about this Karyoker.  Since I know nothing about how VFW event's are booked, or what options or channels would be involved regarding this type of situation, I don't have a clue as to what recourse, if any there might be.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

try going to once every two weeks...

Have the same problem on Mon & Tue now.  Regular crowd doesn't show up - either at all or until the games are over.  For me I have to grin & bear it as this is my 7 night club.  Although some of the players are now sticking around & becoming singers as well.  Kind of like when darts & karaoke didn't mix well, I think these can integrate eventually.

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There is a distinct difference between the Post and the club... I have fought for years to encruit members to the post and make the club work.. Most VFW's now are totally open and dont require a member to sign someone in...

But the mgr nowdays are civilians and have to answer to the board... If you have ever done any gigs for clubs like Moose or Eagles you know what a hassle it can be...It is frustrating to say the least...

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unfortunately there isn't a clear cut solution as the "poker night" craze is hitting just about any place that can fit a few poker tables... they are cheap and easy nights to put together and they easily draw a customer base not normally brought into bars by other entertainment...

 my suggestion is to tap into that market too... create a "Karaoker poker" night... each singer pulls a card out of a deck for each song they sing... a singer who makes a pair during the night gets to sing 2 songs back to back on their next turn... you can also make prizes or other bonus turns for singers who want to try and make a better hand other than a pair... 3 of a kind can be free appetizer... flush is a certain discount on bar tab etc... use your imagination... keep track of what each singer has drawn on a grease board behind the DJ setup so the audience can see who has what... this also stops people from trading cards in the audience to create better hands...

 you can also hand out poker chips that have value at the bar... they can be $1-5-10 chips and go towards food or beverage purchases... chips must be used the same night... simply buy several different chip sets to rotate each week so the bar staff are aware of which chips are accepted on a particular night...

just a few ideas on how to work with an establishment who adds a poker night to the lineup that may conflict with the karaoke entertainment... it is much easier to work with them than against them... good luck...- tig

I think it is cool that the censor allows us to say "bullshit"...

Could they not have found a slower night to do Texas Hold'em, since you have already seemed to build up a decent crowd on that night? Another victom of "The World Series of Poker". Hate to hear that.

Good suggestions Tig It does get frustrating at times  Luvya man...

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Karyoker,  are these types of events scheduled from national headquarters ?  or is it regional ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

if ya create a poker theme for the karaoke the same night then sometimes your regs won't feel so pushed out and neglected... it may also attract a few more of the poker folks to try out the karaoke side by appealing to the gambler in them ... make a list of songs with money/gambling themes and play them during breaks or encourage the singers to sing from a themed list of songs in your books...
1. the gambler - kenny rogers (DUH)
2. Money- Pink Floyd
3. Kentucky Gambler- Merle Haggard
4. Big money- Garth Brooks
5. Blue money- Van Morrison
6. For the love of money- The O'Jays
7. If you got the money honey, I got the time- Lefty Frizzel
8. Money (thats what I want)- The Kingsmen
9. Money for nothing- Dire Straits
10. Money Talks- AC/DC

use KJ Pro or other data base and start plugging in words associated with money, gambling etc and see what else you can come up with... the above are just a few examples I pulled using only the words gambler and money in my searches... there are tons more to add as theme night songs that enable you to incorporate the poker theme into the show instead of creating a "karaoke VS poker" atmosphere... good luck- tig

Each post is a local entinty and responsinsible for books members and the clubs actually bars  that are  governed by the the state and local ordinances.

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I hope so Lonman I try to tell myself the same.... I have picked up some new ones ... But when you are used to something any change scares the hell out of you sometimes.

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In fact Lonman you have talked me into hanging around a little longer.... Thanks .....  I luv u too man....

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Karyoker,  Would it do any good for you to notify the power's that be, (if for no other reason than to voice your own displeasure),  see if something can be rescheduled ?  or is this similar to fighting city hall ? Regardless of any outcome, you'd still have voiced your feelings despite change

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Kappy I have tried that we are working on different start times..   However about 3 or 4 people have responded to this thread with good ideas and thoughts... And they are opinions from people that I respect very much..,.I will let u know wat goes down.... Thanks guys...

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I like not having regulars. My crowd is is different evert Tuesday night. $125 is good for a VFW any night of the week. I reall y do not see the problem.

With poker I would start mixing in more regular music, to entertain the poker crowd.

Agreed Karyoker.  If you can somehow work with this, and integrate it, it may in some way turn into a blessing in disquise. Some creative concepts were offered..

Good luck !   Might be as simple as making lemonade out've lemons..

I guess you just have to know when to hold, and when to fold..When to walk away, and when to run  LOL

I did a search online under VFW's nationally, and Texas Hold em.. around now, in MOST of the states (some venues scheduled for early February, as a beginning "trial" point;) ALL over, this is the trend (as other's have stated)...This is the thing people seem to be into now..Working with it or taking a path of less resistance seems worth a shot. So try working with your new prospective Karaoke enthusiasts


(I did notice a few locations were raided and busted for gambling.. That might be another ace to keep in your back pocket idea   )

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Wow great suggestions -

I kept thinking about how you said the poker people ar taking up tables.

Is there any way to add a few tables and have them reserved for karaoke only?

Good luck!  

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I always work under the impression that one adds things to their bar/club to INCREASE traffic into the bar.  

If you had a successful karaoke night going, why not put the poker on a different night so it isn't opposite karaoke, or vice versa.  

It's like a place offering free hot dogs to get people in the door, then deciding to go ahead and offer free beer too.  To loosely paraphrase Kenny Chesney, "You had me at the hot dogs!" Or, in your case, at the karaoke.

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