july9x said:

That's strong, bucket or not, would love to see it. Just live stream on Youtube or Facebook and post a link here to see what you got out of 10 tries

Be honest and disclose if you've practiced for 5 hours before going live

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I play better out of the gate than after a few racks.
I focus more and the balls just go in.
I then begin taking shots for granted, not staying down, or playing riskier shots for the aesthetics.
I have been meaning to mount a camera in my room. I'll get to it one day.

those tiny entry fees and small added is really to get more people coming into the place not for making anything that day.

some do with drinks and such but limited.

small tournaments are an advertising and promotional gimmick.

if looking for 10 dollar tournaments, you are either a young teenager, a really bad banger, or need to find a higher paying profession.

Rickhem said:

I still have it, and I'll check that out. Thanks for the suggestion.
It was making weird noises, much louder, but it worked so I ignored it. Then it got quiet again, but stopped working.

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Be careful if you choose to open it up. Microwaves use a capacitor that can electrocute you, even after the unit is unplugged.

some don'ts

don't order high costs shipping of things you can live without

don't order near big holidays, do it way before.

don't buy what you can easily do without and, do invest it for the future to grow when you will really need it.

JolietJames said:

Weekly tourneys around here are still $20 plus an auction.
Starting to have a couple higher ones per month ($30-$50).
A local guy is opening a new room in a couple months who added a lot of money to all of his tourneys when he had his last room.
We're all looking forward to that one.

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Around 40-45 years ago, the room I played at had a weekly tournament on Saturdays. It was a single elimination race to 4. $10 entry fee (no table time, no handicaps) and the room owner added $50 regardless of the number of entries. That tournament got 40-60 people every week of all skill levels. 1st place was typically a few hundred. What was nice though is for ten bucks and no table time, nobody got upset and everyone had fun...even the folks that had no chance (it was only $10). As folks got elimination, everyone hung around to play, and the room stayed full all day, afternoon and evening. Best $50 that room owner ever spent.

PS: IMHO, skip the auction. It embarrasses all those that come for fun and socialization and only slows things down (the tournament and action afterward). In larger, serious tournaments, they may be OK...but not for social tournaments.

I do this once a year:

1. 600 grit sandpaper to your cue and ferrule
2. then a thin magic eraser sheet
3. then finally use the green side of a Q-Wiz to finish
4. burnish (light brown leather side) with Q-Wiz (optional step)

I do steps 2 and 3 more than once a year to clean up the shaft after almost daily play. Many positive comments on feel and condition from other players when they occasionally shoot a few shots with my cues. Never have waxed a shaft and never have had to wipe it down or use a glove during play or between tuning clean ups...