So i got a letter in the mail to play in US amateur championships....

jamesroberts said:
Im not trying to start anything, but where does all the money go?
Correct me if Im wrong but its $40 to get into a qualifier, and if you qualify that gets you into a the "Main" event, where the winner of it all gets a trophy and a $500 entry into the us open
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You also pay an additional $60 if you win the qualifier.

James, I didnt do the math, but I'd imagine that a good portion goes to the paid hotel room you get for winning a Q. Guys get 3 nights hotel, girls 2. Then, there is the host venue that prolly gets paid.


Eric
 
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Eric. said:
You pay an additional $60 if you win the qualifier.

James, I didnt do the math, but I'd imagine that a good portion goes to the paid hotel room you get for winning a Q. Guys get 3 nights hotel, girls 2. Then, there is the host venue that prolly gets paid.


Eric
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I think the qualifier in tampa get around a 100 players, hotels are hooked up at a discounted rate I believe
 
jamesroberts said:
I think the qualifier in tampa get around a 100 players, hotels are hooked up at a discounted rate I believe
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OK, lets math it out.

Some locations get 100 players, some get 50. We got about 70 in NJ. Lets say the average is 75 players, with 14 qualifying locations. Each player pays $40. That is $42000. Next, the 128 guys pay an additional $60 for the Championship round. Thats an additional $7700, or $50000 total. now, they put us up at a nice condo-turned-into-rental spot. LEts say they pay $90 a night per room. That is $34500 in rooms. Next, lets say they pay $3000 to rent the poolhall for 3 days. Then, you gotta pay for the winners entry to the US Open ($500). Then, you gotta pay for the tourney refs $?. Then you have other expenses, such as promotional materials (each participant gets a shirt, goofy glass plaque and pins), plus tourney staff.

At the end of the day, I would guess the APA takes somewhere between 10-20% for running this.


Eric
 
Room is paid for 3 nights. No travel $$. You get a polo shirt when you check in at Shooters in Tampa.

If you have to ask "what's in it for me?" or "where does all the money go?", then don't bother filling out the form.
 
The tourney in Tampa is played in a pool hall? That's cool, I figured it would be in a hotel ball room or something. Is it close to the hotel accomodations or do the players need to rent cars while they're down there? I didn't know about the US Open entry either. They keep raising the stakes. It would be quite a thrill to play in that. I'm 90% sure I'll forget to register for a qualifier but it now seems more worth the effort. Are the qualifiers played on real tables or bar boxes?
 
JolietJames said:
The tourney in Tampa is played in a pool hall? That's cool, I figured it would be in a hotel ball room or something. Is it close to the hotel accomodations or do the players need to rent cars while they're down there? I didn't know about the US Open entry either. They keep raising the stakes. It would be quite a thrill to play in that. I'm 90% sure I'll forget to register for a qualifier but it now seems more worth the effort. Are the qualifiers played on real tables or bar boxes?
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I believe all are played on 4.5x9ft table, though I'm not entirely sure the exact specs on the tables used.
 
JolietJames said:
The tourney in Tampa is played in a pool hall? That's cool, I figured it would be in a hotel ball room or something. Is it close to the hotel accomodations or do the players need to rent cars while they're down there? I didn't know about the US Open entry either. They keep raising the stakes. It would be quite a thrill to play in that. I'm 90% sure I'll forget to register for a qualifier but it now seems more worth the effort. Are the qualifiers played on real tables or bar boxes?
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This year, like last, is gonna be in Tampa, played in Stroker's; a huge pool hall, with 9ft Robertson Tables, full bar and kitchen. Nice room.

The hotel is a couple of miles up the road. The APA provides a free shuttle back and forth, on all days. The winner gets a paid entry int othe US Open.

I think all of the qualifiers are played on 9 ft tables. If anything, they are all in pool halls.

You can register right now, here: http://www.usamateurchampionship.com/2011USAMBrochure.pdf
I think you have to have your entry in before June, sometime.


Eric
 
The tournament is on regulation "real" sized tables, as are the qualifiers.

The last year I entered, I qualified for Atlanta as the host location moves around every few years. Mr. Cue's in Atlanta? Can't quite recall the name of the pool hall, but I know Archer stopped by one day to check out the proceedings.

As much as I like some extra money in my pocket, this is my kind of tournament as I am all about the spirit of competition. I get flustered by the players who don't understand that concept, although I totally understand any frustration in airfare not being paid and having to use your own coin. I think the APA could still make it lucrative enough to pay $250 to qualifiers for their airfare.

Out of anything that the APA does, this is the best for higher-skilled players. I love this format and it's what the APA Masters leagues are based on. You don't even need to have an APA membership to enter.

JolietJames, you have some hot shots in your area but don't sell yourself short. Depending on the number of people who enter, there are usually multiple qualifiers from each regional tournament. Up in Illinois, I would think there would be an easy 6-8 spots for players who qualify to go to Tampa. The number of spots also depends on who signs up and pays before the deadline. Trying to show up on tournament day will not increase the number of qualifiers and the tourney director may not even let you play.

I had a buddy qualify for Tampa and it sounded like a nice pool hall, but the drawback was smoking was still allowed. Atlanta was that way also, but the high ceilings helped with filtration.

I think the only players that have a guaranteed spot back to Tampa are the winners from the previous year.

As for the US Open prize, I thought the airfare was paid for as part of the prize package. Maybe not.
 
Thanks for all the info Derek. Honestly, if I will be in IL at the time and can remember to sign up, I think I'll have a go at it. We had a guy from Joliet get 7th out there last year I believe. I heard he played very well out there and made a great showing for himself. I've been out of the game for a few years so I have no idea where my game is for something like this. I'll have to head up to Chicago to play in some of those tourneys for a true 9 footer test. The good/bad news is I have a herniated disk in my back so I cna't do my usual summer things this year so I'll be playing alot more pool than usual. I should be back to form by that time. Thanks for all the info guys!

Oh, and sorry for the thread hijacking, it was not my intent.
 
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US Amatuer

I say it is a very great weekend to play and meet other good players. I have been fortunate to qualify two times and the time in Atlanta was very much enjoyed . It is now in
Tampa and I hope I am fortunate this year to make it again. Very much worth your time and effort
 
I received my entry form yesterday and sent it out today. This is my fourth attempt to qualify. I'm 1 for 3 so far (I drew a lucky bracket).

I enjoy this tournament more than any other that I have played in. I have yet to hear of any major arguement or incident in the three years that I have participated. I believe it's due to the lack of payout or (better said) spirt of the competition.

This is a great event.

Disclaimer=> I don't play in any APA sanctioned leagues or have any interest in the APA. :wink:
 
I'm seriously considering playing in a qualifier at Mr. Cue's II this year. Will there be players like Paul Song and other top tier local players in the event or will the players not quite be up to that speed?
 
Henry's a monster from our area. I've never drawn him in a tourney but I've watched him play and he is a very solid player.
 
JolietJames said:
Henry's a monster from our area. I've never drawn him in a tourney but I've watched him play and he is a very solid player.
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Played Henry in the finals of an event at the Windy City Open a few years ago. "Ditto" to being a solid player.

Lyn
 
Derek said:
I don't know the speed of these players well, but perennial favorites are Henry Brodt, David Rowell, Robert Hall, and Travis Gunn. Click on this link and you can go to the year of the Amateur and select "National Qualifiers" to see who played.

http://www.usamateurchampionship.com/champions.html
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I realize you have to be a very solid player to win the national championships but I would be happy to even win a local qualifier. Can anyone who has played at a qualifier at Mr. Cue's II in Atlanta comment on the speed of the players at a qualifier? I'm probably going to give it a try regardless of the other players' speed but it would be nice to know what kind of players I might be up against.
 
bazkook said:
I realize you have to be a very solid player to win the national championships but I would be happy to even win a local qualifier. Can anyone who has played at a qualifier at Mr. Cue's II in Atlanta comment on the speed of the players at a qualifier? I'm probably going to give it a try regardless of the other players' speed but it would be nice to know what kind of players I might be up against.
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Only one piece of advice. Play the balls on the table. Forget about who your opponent is! If you worry prematurely, you'll talk yourself out of playing your best. Or playing at all. Go and have fun.

Lyn
 
bazkook said:
I realize you have to be a very solid player to win the national championships but I would be happy to even win a local qualifier. Can anyone who has played at a qualifier at Mr. Cue's II in Atlanta comment on the speed of the players at a qualifier? I'm probably going to give it a try regardless of the other players' speed but it would be nice to know what kind of players I might be up against.
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pretty strong
 
bazkook said:
I realize you have to be a very solid player to win the national championships but I would be happy to even win a local qualifier. Can anyone who has played at a qualifier at Mr. Cue's II in Atlanta comment on the speed of the players at a qualifier? I'm probably going to give it a try regardless of the other players' speed but it would be nice to know what kind of players I might be up against.
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Jeff Hooks won a qualifier in the ATL, but went 1-2 at the championship level.


Eric
 
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