2007 DCC AZB Room - Conversation with Greg S. - Need member input

[jazznpool]

I hope we don't get too far afield from the original intent of the AZB/1-p room--the grassroots start and relative informality of the room. I agree with Joey in that staged matches are of minimal interest--especially when there is live action night after night for serious jellybeans at DCC. I favor concepts that give more opportunities to AZB/1-p member players.

Staking a player on AZB/1-p funds sounds absurd...but is more appealling to me than funding a staged match. Dutch partner games with pros, blind partner draws, Q-skills, and brief single elimination events--all with cash prizes--that's what I'd like to see more of along with more challenge table games for modest stakes.

I met many skillful players this year including Joey A who was probably stalling in our no jellybeans, hill-hill, one pocket match!

Martin

JoeyA,
I think you have some good idea's Joey.

Do we have any T-shirt experts here; PM me immediately if you're here. If not, I will start to look into T-shirt/golf shirts with screened logo's (who has a logo for me??????).

I LIKE the idea of backing a player. I am NOT sure we could get someone to do it - the real warriors use their own money (ie. George Breedlove). How could we ever know if we are getting dumped (especially if there is a long period of time before the matches)???

The main reason for sponsoring an Accu-Stats match was to "pay back" Greg Sullivan by helping add something to his event. I'm not sure he would feel the same way about us backing a player (but he might, I'll ask).

Who here knows a warrior that might want backing? I figure $800 for hotel, plus a $1000 bankroll would be a conservative starting offer that we could afford. It seems like small potatoes though for any of the warriors that I know. Do you know Marco Marquez? I think there are people here that know Charlie Bryant, George Breedlove, Corey Deuel, Sarah Rousey, Danny Harriman - would any of these be possibilities???

 

[JoeyA]

Potential AZ Billiard Race Horses

Before we go much farther with the staking business, please clarify, are we staking a player for the tournament or for a gambling match o both. It could get kind of expensive doing both.

While I don't know if he would go for either situation, Jamie Farrell would not dump. I will ask him.

JoeyA

Charlie has sponsorship, George has Jeanette , and Corey has Aaron. Sarah has a lot of heart and Danny would NOT dump on us. If we do go this route, Sarah & Danny are two names that I would put into the hat to draw from.

 

[JoeyA]

I REALLY like the idea of playing partners with a pro with coaching of course because that is where you will learn what they are thinking and if you know what they are thinking you can duplicate their efforts with practice but you have to know what they are thinking. What's in it for the pro? If they did allow coaching, I would want the coaching out loud so that everyone could hear both pros and what they are thinking.

It seems that many RSBers were like bees flying to and fro the AZ Billiard room. I barely made the tournament because there is so much going on.
So I think there is a little problem with coordinating people to events at AZ Billiard simply because there is so much going on.
JoeyA

I hope we don't get too far afield from the original intent of the AZB/1-p room--the grassroots start and relative informality of the room. I agree with Joey in that staged matches are of minimal interest--especially when there is live action night after night for serious jellybeans at DCC. I favor concepts that give more opportunities to AZB/1-p member players.

Staking a player on AZB/1-p funds sounds absurd...but is more appealling to me than funding a staged match. Dutch partner games with pros, blind partner draws, Q-skills, and brief single elimination events--all with cash prizes--that's what I'd like to see more of along with more challenge table games for modest stakes.

I met many skillful players this year including Joey A who was probably stalling in our no jellybeans, hill-hill, one pocket match!

Martin

 

[JoeyA]

Another item to consider selling is an AZ Billiard Autograph signing book. I like the pros signing five dollar bills personally.
JoeyA

I have a Cafepress account too. See sample here: http://www.cafepress.com/bumpersnickers

I work on each category when I have time, so they are not all done by any means, but you can get an idea of what is available, like kid's stuff, mugs, bumper stickers, thongs, even dog sweaters, etc.. Black is harder to do because you have to have a transparency and I have not done one yet. But you can send me the graphics and I can volunteer to get the shirts done with no markup.

You can sell them with a markup to raise money or get them wholesale. I will set up a separate 'AZ/ 1P.org' store and make up any number of finished items that we can either get at wholesale (buy them up front from the website and sell them at DCC marked up), or we can mark them up to whatever price you want to designate, and have people go up there to buy the shirts at retail. I can set it up so that williebetmore gets the funds. Just let me know what you want to do.

You can go here to see the total kinds of products available. http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/sell/products/

We could even bind a book with selections of some of our favorite threads, avatars, tips, instructions and jokes to sell, and one for 1p. Even Tina's thread with selected photos of everyone. Again, I could collate and get them printed and have anyone you choose do the final proofing. I would think these would be priceless! This would need Mike's permission if it is copyrighted material or proprietary.

I can set up the shop name and show you a shell, just let me know what you want it named.

________________________________________________________________

Another donation I want to give is a complimentary cruise that can be raffled off. It is complimentary, not free. That means that the winner would be responsible for airfare to get to the port, and taxes and port fees - usually $149-$249 per person.

Complimentary Carnival Cruise
You will receive a 4 Day fun-filled cruise for two adults aboard one of four Carnival “Fun Ships”.

Your Carnival Cruise Agenda

4 day/3 night Cruise to the Bahamas or Mexico

Your choice of Fun Ship and departure city -

· The Holiday - Roundtrip from Los Angeles, California to Ensenada, Mexico
· The Ecstasy - Roundtrip from Miami, Florida to the Bahamas
· The Fantasy - Roundtrip from Port Canaveral, Florida to the Bahamas
· The Celebration – Roundtrip From Galveston, TX to Cozumel

Day 1 - Board your cruise ship and get acquainted with your surroundings. Situate yourself on deck to participate in the Bon Voyage party. In the evening you will have your first gourmet meal in the luxurious dining room. Afterward, the curtain goes up on your first showing of Vegas-style entertainment. Try your luck at the casino, or go dancing in the ship’s disco. Sit and enjoy the ocean breeze while listening to soft music, or take a refreshing stroll on the deck. Don’t forget to satisfy your midnight craving with a delicious snack from the buffet. FUN, FUN, FUN!

Day 2 - You arrive at the port where you will be able to explore your exotic destination. Feeling adventurous? Travel at your own leisure or take a guided tour to sightsee the area’s points of interest. Shop duty-free stores or hunt bargains from sidewalk merchants selling local crafts. Many of the ports offer a variety of water sports such as snorkeling and boating. The white, sandy beaches are open to the public for romantic walks, building sand castles, or wading in the sparkling water. By evening, you will be ready for the Captain’s Cocktail Party and dinner on board the vessel.

Day 3 - Participate in a variety of shipboard activities from music, to games, to exercise classes. There are special, separate programs designed by your Cruise Director for toddlers through teenagers. You may swim in the ship’s pool, or simply lounge on deck under the warm sun. Enjoy your final gourmet dinner, perhaps a Broadway musical, or give Lady Luck one last try in the exciting, Vegas-style casino. For a more romantic finale, stroll on the deck under the captivating moonlight while listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean’s splashing waves.

Day 4 - Say goodbye to new friends at the dock, and depart the vessel with delightful memories of your Carnival voyage.

This should raise enough money for some good food or for the shirts if you wanted to buy them up front.

Linda

 

[RSB-Refugee]

I REALLY like the idea of playing partners with a pro with coaching of course because that is where you will learn what they are thinking and if you know what they are thinking you can duplicate their efforts with practice but you have to know what they are thinking. What's in it for the pro? If they did allow coaching, I would want the coaching out loud so that everyone could hear both pros and what they are thinking.

I also like this idea.

It seems that many RSBers were like bees flying to and fro the AZ Billiard room. I barely made the tournament because there is so much going on.
So I think there is a little problem with coordinating people to events at AZ Billiard simply because there is so much going on.
JoeyA

I am torn, over the idea of luring pros in with money. IMO the ones that just show up for the love of the game, even if they are not big stars, would be much more enjoyable to be around. Does this make sense to anyone else? I thought the main reason for the room, was to have a place to meet fellow posters. I met some very nice and interesting people.

The above, does not mean I am against using some funds for specials. I greatly enjoyed the Efren/Jeanette scotch doubles match. I just feel, specials should not receive the lion's share of the monies collected.

Tracy

 

[Williebetmore]

The above, does not mean I am against using some funds for specials. I greatly enjoyed the Efren/Jeanette scotch doubles match. I just feel, specials should not receive the lion's share of the monies collected.

Tracy

Tracy,
To clarify a point; the celebrity scotch double's match was NOT done with any AZB funds. It was paid for STRICTLY by raffle funds generated by the individual buyers. It did not come out of our budget of donated funds.

There were many freebies given away courtesy of Jeanette Lee, Jack Justis, Joe Tucker, Grady Mathews, stevelomako.

I also REALLY like the idea of a coached one pocket match; and I have little doubt that it will be on the list of activities this next year. I do, however, think that the pro's should be paid. If we have a prize fund, the winning team could share 60% and the losers could share 40% - or the pro's could split 60% and the 2 AZB'ers could split 40%. Or you could let the pro's split 80%, etc., etc., etc. I think Danny DiLiberto and Grady Mathews would be a great choices as coaches - they are TRUE STUDENT'S OF THE GAME.

Remember, we are just brainstorming now. I would definitely like to remind people that we were given our table for free this year by Greg Sullivan (and next year also); I am strongly in favor of sponsoring an event to help reciprocate, and also to help promote the game (and heck, yes, even in hopes of further favors from Greg ). I do understand if some others disagree - we're just looking for a consensus; nobody is pushing anything.

 

[Hal]

Williebetmore,
Do I need to send the items I'm donating to you? If so, PM me your address.

 

[PoolSleuth]

I would like to come to the DCC in 2007, and if $20.00 would get me into the Private AZ B Room. Count me in for $20.00 if I attend.

 

[RSB-Refugee]

Tracy,
To clarify a point; the celebrity scotch double's match was NOT done with any AZB funds. It was paid for STRICTLY by raffle funds generated by the individual buyers. It did not come out of our budget of donated funds.

There were many freebies given away courtesy of Jeanette Lee, Jack Justis, Joe Tucker, Grady Mathews, stevelomako.

I also REALLY like the idea of a coached one pocket match; and I have little doubt that it will be on the list of activities this next year. I do, however, think that the pro's should be paid. If we have a prize fund, the winning team could share 60% and the losers could share 40% - or the pro's could split 60% and the 2 AZB'ers could split 40%. Or you could let the pro's split 80%, etc., etc., etc. I think Danny DiLiberto and Grady Mathews would be a great choices as coaches - they are TRUE STUDENT'S OF THE GAME.

Remember, we are just brainstorming now. I would definitely like to remind people that we were given our table for free this year by Greg Sullivan (and next year also); I am strongly in favor of sponsoring an event to help reciprocate, and also to help promote the game (and heck, yes, even in hopes of further favors from Greg ). I do understand if some others disagree - we're just looking for a consensus; nobody is pushing anything.

I remember, that the money came from a raffle, I donated. I also feel it was a really good way to fund the match. I also think giving, is a good thing. I was aware, that we were just brainstorming, my contribution to the brainstorming is, I would like to see it stay less formal. I would like to do things for the betterment of the DCC, to show our appreciation to Gregg and the pros. I just feel there could be a "general fund" and a secondary "specials fund". By your reply, I get the feeling I may have offended you. That was not my intent, I think we are pretty much on the same page.

Tracy

 

[Ratchet]

For some of the larger items that would be donatable wouldn't gift cards fit the bill ?? Like raffling off a $500 .00 Best Buy Card at 5 - 20 bucks a pop. As a Manager/Life Member of AMVET's and also a member of other organizations I know how to make money ! I have raffled off or sold everything from A - Z at one time or other

Raffles

1 . Gift Cards to Best Buy or other Techno Store
2 . Cues
3 . Cases
4 . Memorabilia
5 . Measle Balls
6 . A set of Super Aramith Pro's (or at best, choice of sets)
7 . Pool Tables
8 . Pool Table Lights
9 . Home Pool Room Furnishings ie : High Chair and Table Set , Cue Rack Holders , Clocks , Neon Signs ,Beer Lights ,Portable Bars and Etc.
10 . A small shopping spree at Muellers or other fine billiards catalogs

I know some may not fit the bill and I know some of them would do quite nicely .

As to the snacks and drinks problem just rent another hotel room and call it the hospitality room ,we can stock it on the sly and have the room monitors take care of the keys to the room and or have someone watch that room too
communication between all the rooms is possible by using the hotel phones.

Ratchet -

 

[Timberly]

Williebetmore,
Do I need to send the items I'm donating to you? If so, PM me your address.

Hal, I was thinking about this last night on my 2 hr drive home. I haven't spoken with WBM & Steve about it yet but here's what I was thinking of...

Having everyone that has something to donate, email me the info on what they have to donate so that I can have a list. I was going to volunteer to handle the raffles. Instead of you folks shipping your donated items, it would be cheaper (shipping) to hang onto it and then ship it to the winner with money used from the raffle for shipping.

I was thinking of starting a savings account with the monies collected or a checking account. Then when a raffle is over I could cut a check to the donator for the shipping charges.

 

[Ratchet]

Good Idea !

How about a raffle to see who plays in a coached one-pocket match.
the two winners will each be given a professional coach(read pro player) who will dictate every shot to the shooter. It'd be a great learning experience and a heck of a lot of fun.

I would love to learn to play the game and I cant think of a better way of being taught ! That would be sweet to win !

Ratchet - wants to learn new(old) stuff !

 

[Williebetmore]

I would like to see it stay less formal. I would like to do things for the betterment of the DCC, to show our appreciation to Gregg and the pros. I just feel there could be a "general fund" and a secondary "specials fund". By your reply, I get the feeling I may have offended you. That was not my intent, I think we are pretty much on the same page.

Tracy

T-man,
Your feeling was WRONG - I was in no way offended by your (or anyone else's) suggestions. Sorry if I gave that impression.

Even with the 2006 room we quickly discovered that there is NO item or activity upon which everyone will agree. The committee just came to conclusions based on a consensus. Brainstorm away!!!!

 

[Hal]

Hal, I was thinking about this last night on my 2 hr drive home. I haven't spoken with WBM & Steve about it yet but here's what I was thinking of...

Having everyone that has something to donate, email me the info on what they have to donate so that I can have a list. I was going to volunteer to handle the raffles. Instead of you folks shipping your donated items, it would be cheaper (shipping) to hang onto it and then ship it to the winner with money used from the raffle for shipping.

I was thinking of starting a savings account with the monies collected or a checking account. Then when a raffle is over I could cut a check to the donator for the shipping charges.

Sounds good. I'll handle the shipping charges on my items. It'll only be a few dollars. I'll email you the items I plan on donating when I get home.

 

[rackmsuckr]

For the cruise I am donating (valued over $1000) the winner will send in the certificate to activate it and then they have a year to book it. Whoever is holding on to the prizes, I can mail them the certificate, or hold onto it until closer to DCC, what ever you want.

And I never heard any feedback on the shirts?

 

[Williebetmore]

For the cruise I am donating (valued over $1000) the winner will send in the certificate to activate it and then they have a year to book it. Whoever is holding on to the prizes, I can mail them the certificate, or hold onto it until closer to DCC, what ever you want.

And I never heard any feedback on the shirts?

WW,
Many thanks. I believe Timberly is planning on taking care of the auction-type items.

I love the idea of shirts; but I have only a faint idea of how this cafeexpress thing really works (or of the quality of their merchandise). Also we don't really have a logo (yet). Also it didn't look like they had any real shirts (like golf-shirts) which might be more attractive for our members than the T-shirts. I would definitely prefer a high quality shirt with embroidery or permanent printing over the "stick-on" stuff on a T-shirt (if it is financially similar/feasible).

Anyway, WE NEED A LOGO. Something like "AZBilliards/onepocket.org, Room of Excellence, DCC 2007" with some sort of pool-related graphic like sticks or balls. I'll check with our local "T-shirt store" that does screen printing and embroidery to see if it's feasible. It certainly sounds like cafeexpress might be an easy way to accomplish this.

 

[rackmsuckr]

They do have polo shirts, but only in white. My BCA team is going to be making funny team shirts thru there. What's nice is that you can decorate the front AND the back for the same price.

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/customize/designer.aspx

We need some of our creative AZB designers to get to work on a logo! Maybe you can start a new thread to appeal to them. I would think we would need a small one for the pocket and then a different large design for the back. We can make up any number of designs with no charge, and take a vote. These need to be in jpg. and start with a large image (it's easier to go down, but I need the quality in a large format for the back to start with).

We can add another $5 for every shirt sold and that can go in the coffers as well.

The merchandise is pretty good, I bought a couple polos to get autographs for the KOH tourney. They are not flimsy see-through shirts and the transfer is good with bright, vivid colors.

 

[uwate]

Please get a paypal account up for donations.

I agree with other posters that the sooner you setup a means to donate monies and items, the better. You stand a far better chance of getting a good amount of donations the longer the digital pay window is open.

We could do a auction of all /some of the itmes donated on Ebay.

Publish an accounting of where monies are spent. You have to be willing to show that the accounting for donations is 100% straight up, or you put yourself in the crosshairs for criticism.

I like the idea of having two tables and since the 2007 DCC will last nearly two weeks, I think its better to spend $1000 on another room than it is to look to stake a player for a $1000 money match and have just one room and one table. IMO the priority for monies should be on getting the rooms/tables and getting hospitality items like drinks and snacks.

If there is extra money that can be used to create action, I would recommend we use that money to do some $100 added $10 entry AZB only no pros allowed tournaments. races to 2 or 3 - 9 ball or one game single elimination one pocket. With two tables going you could finish a 16 player single elimination tournament pretty fast.

I also suggest we do a $10 challenge table in 9ball every day, and everyone that plays and loses gets a raffle ticket for a donated item. Everytime you lose you get an additional raffle ticket, with daily drawings for prizes among the challenge table losers. Conduct the challenge table during set hrs and list the prize$ in advance so people can know what is going on.

 

[Donovan]

Shirts

Edited 20 minutes later-
I did order from pooltees.com too and they were great. I don't know about custom logos though.

The ones I ordered below were from poolshirts.net
-----------
I just got a couple from cafeexpress last week...They were a good heavy weight (meaning thick) material and turned out great. The logo I requested ROCKED! They told me they will have Black tees soon. Also if we need lots of them and they will discount.

I got the hustler on the front (the underline under the word is actually a cue) and I got a custom logo on the back as a gift. The whole experience was great and I got them in like 4 days.

 

[Hal]

Shirt sizes

Please don't do like most places and only order Medium and Large sizes. I'm fairly big and I need a 4X. I absolutely hate to wear tight shirts. Plus they always shrink up and get too short. Just a pet peeve of mine. I'll shut up now.