First Time Derby Participant & Observer

behindthe9ball

Registered
A couple friends on mine and I are talking about attending the DCC in 2018. I was wondering if someone might consider answering some basic questions about participating and also spending some time enjoying/soaking up the experience.

Hotel(s): I spoke with Horseshoe today and they said in order to get the group rate you had to book all 9 nights. I believe the group rate was around $99 per night. We definitely do not plan on staying for 9 nights unless something miraculous happens to our skill sets in the next 8 or so months. With that said, I imagine a good majority don't stick around for all 9 nights, so do people typically book 9 and sell a portion, or just go ahead and pay the "rack" rate (no pun intended:) if their stay is anticipated to be 3 or 4 nights?

Additionally, how are the other hotels in the area? Do they provide shuttle services? Can anyone recommend a 3-4 star hotel (Marriott would be preferable)?

How does seeding typically work? If I choose to participate in 8, 9, & 10 ball, and I don't play in any type of sanctioned league, does that mean I will likely face a top tier player? Could I get lucky and possibly play Shane or Efren? I would take a chance any day to play them even if that means getting knocked out early. I saw a video a few months back showing some elder gent playing Shane and the guy had no idea who he was.

How far in advance can you book a hotel room at the resort? Is it worth the money to stay at the resort or does offsite work well (enough).

I would welcome any tips or information which may be helpful for a few first-timers. I will buy you a beer or two for the info if you plan on attending the '18 event.

Thanks in advance and kindest regards,

Michael
 

daylate$short

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Nobody's paying attention yet I guess, so I'll give my $0.02

A couple friends on mine and I are talking about attending the DCC in 2018. I was wondering if someone might consider answering some basic questions about participating and also spending some time enjoying/soaking up the experience.

Hotel(s): I spoke with Horseshoe today and they said in order to get the group rate you had to book all 9 nights. I believe the group rate was around $99 per night. We definitely do not plan on staying for 9 nights unless something miraculous happens to our skill sets in the next 8 or so months. With that said, I imagine a good majority don't stick around for all 9 nights, so do people typically book 9 and sell a portion, or just go ahead and pay the "rack" rate (no pun intended:) if their stay is anticipated to be 3 or 4 nights?

Additionally, how are the other hotels in the area? Do they provide shuttle services? Can anyone recommend a 3-4 star hotel (Marriott would be preferable)?

How does seeding typically work? If I choose to participate in 8, 9, & 10 ball, and I don't play in any type of sanctioned league, does that mean I will likely face a top tier player? Could I get lucky and possibly play Shane or Efren? I would take a chance any day to play them even if that means getting knocked out early. I saw a video a few months back showing some elder gent playing Shane and the guy had no idea who he was.

How far in advance can you book a hotel room at the resort? Is it worth the money to stay at the resort or does offsite work well (enough).

I would welcome any tips or information which may be helpful for a few first-timers. I will buy you a beer or two for the info if you plan on attending the '18 event.

Thanks in advance and kindest regards,

Michael

I've gone to DCC often, missed last year. Expect to go this year. :)

Hotel: I've always stayed at the Casino Hotel, it's about 15 miles back in to New Albany for any other motels. I never wanted to drive back in to town after watching all day and most of the night. If you're at the Casino, you can go to your room for a break if you feel like it. I know it's not that cheap, even with the full tournament 9 day rate (that's what I have booked the last couple times). There is also a special rate for a shorter stay, but I don't remember what that rate is. Rates are higher on Friday, and Saturday nights. That's why it's much cheaper to go with the 9 day special. The specials will be available on the DCC website (probably) starting early December. There will be MANY threads with details before the 1st of the year.
I always bring a cooler stocked with food, so I don't have to buy much Casino food. There are snacks available at the tournament room, mostly decent, hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, pulled pork, chips, cookies, popcorn etc. There's a buffet, a steak house, and another restaurant near the tournament room. A bar set up right at the tournament room entrance. Bring your walking shoes, it's quite a ways from the hotel lobby to the tournament area, but there are golf cart shuttles going back and forth every few minutes.

The tournament:
Enter at least one of the 3 tournaments, 9 ball Banks, One-Pocket, or 9 Ball, and you will have access to the tournament area without buying a entrance pass which is like $10 per session; 2 sessions per day. All tournaments are open, so you could draw anyone. I always buy my entry when I get to the tournament, it takes about 5 minutes.
One year my buddy drew Rafael Martinez the first round in 9 Ball. If, and when you lose, you have the option to buy back in the next round for a smaller entry fee. One re-buy only, so it's a double elimination tournament. Every round is a re-draw, not a bracket set up at the beginning of the tournament. You could play SVB the first round, and draw him again the next round! This gets really interesting late in the tournament.
I have never purchased a VIP seat in the Accu-Stats Arena section. Never had any problem finding a good seat. I've even sat in the TV-VIP row early in the week. Seems like not many people show up until Wednesday when 9 Ball starts.
There's a display which scrolls showing the matches being played sorted by the player's names, giving the table number, so you can always find a good match to watch.
After play is over for the night, there are some mini-tournaments. I entered a One-Pocket mini a few years ago, won my first match, then drew Gabe Owen....that didn't go so well, but he did compiment me on a couple shots! Tables are open during tournament play, but after the day's matches are complete, the tables are set to play paid by tokens. The action room is pay by tokens all the time. Big Truck has a room where he streams action matches, and the yearly American Rotation finals.

My advice is: book the 9 days, you won't want to leave!

Charlie
 

BigAlTheTiger

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
$$

I've gone to DCC often, missed last year. Expect to go this year. :)

Hotel: I've always stayed at the Casino Hotel, it's about 15 miles back in to New Albany for any other motels. I never wanted to drive back in to town after watching all day and most of the night. If you're at the Casino, you can go to your room for a break if you feel like it. I know it's not that cheap, even with the full tournament 9 day rate (that's what I have booked the last couple times). There is also a special rate for a shorter stay, but I don't remember what that rate is. Rates are higher on Friday, and Saturday nights. That's why it's much cheaper to go with the 9 day special. The specials will be available on the DCC website (probably) starting early December. There will be MANY threads with details before the 1st of the year.
I always bring a cooler stocked with food, so I don't have to buy much Casino food. There are snacks available at the tournament room, mostly decent, hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, pulled pork, chips, cookies, popcorn etc. There's a buffet, a steak house, and another restaurant near the tournament room. A bar set up right at the tournament room entrance. Bring your walking shoes, it's quite a ways from the hotel lobby to the tournament area, but there are golf cart shuttles going back and forth every few minutes.

The tournament:
Enter at least one of the 3 tournaments, 9 ball Banks, One-Pocket, or 9 Ball, and you will have access to the tournament area without buying a entrance pass which is like $10 per session; 2 sessions per day. All tournaments are open, so you could draw anyone. I always buy my entry when I get to the tournament, it takes about 5 minutes.
One year my buddy drew Rafael Martinez the first round in 9 Ball. If, and when you lose, you have the option to buy back in the next round for a smaller entry fee. One re-buy only, so it's a double elimination tournament. Every round is a re-draw, not a bracket set up at the beginning of the tournament. You could play SVB the first round, and draw him again the next round! This gets really interesting late in the tournament.
I have never purchased a VIP seat in the Accu-Stats Arena section. Never had any problem finding a good seat. I've even sat in the TV-VIP row early in the week. Seems like not many people show up until Wednesday when 9 Ball starts.
There's a display which scrolls showing the matches being played sorted by the player's names, giving the table number, so you can always find a good match to watch.
After play is over for the night, there are some mini-tournaments. I entered a One-Pocket mini a few years ago, won my first match, then drew Gabe Owen....that didn't go so well, but he did compiment me on a couple shots! Tables are open during tournament play, but after the day's matches are complete, the tables are set to play paid by tokens. The action room is pay by tokens all the time. Big Truck has a room where he streams action matches, and the yearly American Rotation finals.

My advice is: book the 9 days, you won't want to leave!

Charlie

It sounds like one needs to eat beans and rice for a while ahead of time.
 

Poolshootindon

Registered Pool Offender
Silver Member
Question

I am going to the 2018 DCC and would like to enter the 9 ball banks event.

Does anyone know where to find an entry form so i can fill it out and pay for the event? The internet is not very helpful and when i click on the info@dcc.com nothing happens.

Any help will be appreciated.

Don
 

Jlcomp45

Registered
I've always just signed up when I got there at the window - there's no form to fill out - just paid my money & got my lanyard/badge
 

boradriver

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Haven't been in a few years but plan on going for a few days in 2018.

Since I'm only going for a few days at the end of the event I won't be entering. So looks like I will be paying the spectator fee.
 

Keith E.

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am going to the 2018 DCC and would like to enter the 9 ball banks event.

Does anyone know where to find an entry form so i can fill it out and pay for the event? The internet is not very helpful and when i click on the info@dcc.com nothing happens.

Any help will be appreciated.

Don

Don,

It appears that the link you refer to opens up an e-mail window so that you can contact them. Try this one: http://www.dcctickets.com/

Keith
 
Last edited:

Poolshootindon

Registered Pool Offender
Silver Member
Anyone know when they are going to take entry fees for the 2018 Classic? I have tried the link again and nothing happens.
 

ShortBusRuss

Short Bus Russ - C Player
Silver Member
Anyone know when they are going to take entry fees for the 2018 Classic? I have tried the link again and nothing happens.

Entering events on-site is never an issue. I wouldn't even worry about pre-entering events. Given the nature of the draw happening minutes before every round, DCC is less dependent on early entries than a traditional double-elimination bracket.

Short Bus Russ
 

poolandpokerman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was thinking last year they charged an extra $25 if you did not pre enter, however I may be wrong, you could give Diamond a call, they are always helpful when I call: 1-812-288-7665

Tom
 
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