In the mens division, if you win the prelim you get entry to the main as well as three nights hotel. The hotel has changed over the years but the APA usually picks a nice hotel and each player gets their own room.
This is one of my favorite events but it is a big time commitment since the prelims are often 3 days (the nearest one to me in port st lucie was again three days long this year). Getting two or even three days off of work for one pool tourny is kinda tough.
The national event is not only one of the best run events ive played in but what makes it great to me is the players are there for the love of competition mostly. I know that you dont have to be an APA player to compete in it but nearly all the players are APA players.The APA definitely has a group of great players that regularly play this event as well as singles and team/master at nationals that are run in the spring and summer. Its like the gathering of the tribe of super 7s nationwide in palm harbor each November.
Sure there is the single big jackpot prize for 1st that nowadays is probably worth 3-4k since its hotel, air and the $1k entry to the us open but most the people i've met at the event are there because they love pool and love to compete. The camaraderie among the players and sportsmanship ive seen at this event is a breath of fresh air compared to the shenanigans that often happen at cash events.
The other thing great about this event is that Jose Del Rio, the owner of strokers in palm harbor, each year hosts the event with passion. There is a welcome breakfast for the player the first day. The pool room bans smoking for the event. The tables get new simonis in the lead up to the event. The room is dedicated to the us ams Fri to sunday and now that the womens event was held there its wed and thurs as well. Jose need to be credited for all he does to help this event because it is no small commitment and he has been a reliable supporter of the event for so many year now. btw, Jose is also a great player (fargo 665) and competed at this event this year.