there's a difference between "signed-up", vs "paid".
Barry wants to know which do you think would work best?
- Thread starter RobertaAgnor
- Start date
there's a difference between "signed-up", vs "paid".
No kidding really, thanks !
Last year IIRC the field was 176-186 at $500/entrant. The year before IIRC it was 216? My #'s may be off, perhaps Roberta will chime in? 
But there was a fall-off '13 vs '12. Granted last year, the negativity was high - hard to say how that affected the #'s.
Anyway, my point - if The Open only pulled @ 180 last year at $500 a pop, what the heck is $1K a pop going to do to the # of entrants?
It's certainly going to minimize how many lesser ranked players enter.
But there was a fall-off '13 vs '12. Granted last year, the negativity was high - hard to say how that affected the #'s. Anyway, my point - if The Open only pulled @ 180 last year at $500 a pop, what the heck is $1K a pop going to do to the # of entrants?
It's certainly going to minimize how many lesser ranked players enter.
Well maybe, just maybe, the plan turned out to be financially unfeasible. I, also, suspect than he has a very light field signed and paid up right now.
If this is the case, I think that it would be advisable and necessary to try and fix it now, before the financial dominoes begin to fall. And, if the increased entry fee was the reason for the shortfall, then the answer may be lowering it. Unfortunately, you won't know if your new "plan" will work until you make the proposed change to $700...and then, if you don't get enough additions, there will be an even larger shortfall. What will you do if that happens?
I certainly wish the tournament the best.
J
I think no matter the entry fee, most players will sign up at the venue, instead of in advance. So whether its 200 entry or 2000 entry, we won't know how many players will sign up until the draw. If this is a fair assumption, I'd let it run its course at 128/1000. Changing it just on a guess is pointless.
Now, if Barry has barometers he uses to *accurately* gauge participation before the minute of the draw, then that is a different story. Maybe that is true, since he's offering a 10K bet it fills
Now, if Barry has barometers he uses to *accurately* gauge participation before the minute of the draw, then that is a different story. Maybe that is true, since he's offering a 10K bet it fills
I just made hotel reservations hoping it will happen but I can cancel up intil the day before with no charge so there is no reason not to book your travel plans now. If your flying thats a different story. We all knew that barry would never get 128 players for 1000 and I don't even think 600 would change that...it's just not a 7 day event like the derby ...4 days tops...
good points, Jimmy.
i am reminded of last summer when the purse changed at the last minute, due to the field being short. at least they are asking now - as opposed to blindsiding. maybe if the deadline were 60 days prior & paid, then everyone (consumers too) would still have time to plan/change plans.
i will say this: in my business, if it isn't selling @ $1000, then we drop 25%. if it's not selling @ $750, we drop it another 25%. etc etc, till we know its worth.
IMO the DCC should be the only long tournament in this economy. Also, people wonder why the majority of the gate are the same old over 50 and retires year after year, large tournament after large tournament. Even the young ones that can afford to go can't get a week off work or want to spend a big piece of their vacation time on pool for a week.
The days of the long tournaments in America are over. Three day tournaments should be the rule and four days is really pushing it. Never going to get young blood into pool by these long-ass tournaments. Barry has had some of the best TD's and promoters offering to help him run his tournaments over the years and never took advantage of their advice. Now he's asking AZ members how to get out of another fine mess he's got himself into. Johnnyt
The days of the long tournaments in America are over. Three day tournaments should be the rule and four days is really pushing it. Never going to get young blood into pool by these long-ass tournaments. Barry has had some of the best TD's and promoters offering to help him run his tournaments over the years and never took advantage of their advice. Now he's asking AZ members how to get out of another fine mess he's got himself into. Johnnyt
mr8ball
Active member
From a vendor stand point I don't think the number of players will matter to them. Most of them will not buy much anyway. Of course the better the players the more people will come to watch. This will help the vendors. The BB tournament will really help the vendors so I really hope this goes off well. I really don't think dropping the entry fee now will change anything at this time. Most of the average players that were going to play have already used their vacation to do other things when the entry was raised to 1K. JMO I wish the tournament the best and hope everything works out
The vendors would be better off operating across the street from portable sales trucks. Or renting an outdoor tent to sell their goods.
Agree
I agree, different entry fees will cause debates with some who will argue they should not be considered a Pro. I like more players with the $700 entry fee for all. Good idea Barry.
I agree, different entry fees will cause debates with some who will argue they should not be considered a Pro. I like more players with the $700 entry fee for all. Good idea Barry.
Do not agree
I love the vendors inside, plus many are selling high end cues that would not do well outside. I remember the peak years of Derby City with many Vendors lining the hallways, and crowds of players/ fans packed in there.It was a great atmosphere.
I love the vendors inside, plus many are selling high end cues that would not do well outside. I remember the peak years of Derby City with many Vendors lining the hallways, and crowds of players/ fans packed in there.It was a great atmosphere.
What have you, and others ?, witnessed over the years as to vendor partiicpation and sales?
Send people out this week to every room within 3 hours and get them to host qualifyers to make sure you have the 128 at 1000.... I would have 16 player $60 qualifyers at QMasters until 16 players don't show up and I would have them non-stop the days before the Open in case guys want to come up 2-3 days early and have 4-5 shots at getting in on the cheap.... 128 at $1000 is doable and there is time.... Call Tracy in Memphis, Phil Windham in Chattanooga... Ed at Sandcastle in New Jersey.... Peg at JOB's in Nashville.. Janet at Bordeline in Bristol..... I am sure we can likely add contacts and rooms across the nation that SHOULD have qualifyers... I played in one in Crossville TN in 1995 I think that was $40 entry.. IF they could host one then c'mon...
Chris
Chris
Qualifiers were the first thing Barry said were being set up all over the world. I wonder how many have been held so far? Johnnyt
Leave the tournament at a field of 128. ONE ROOM! Let us not go back to the sins of last year and the year before.
The mistake was you deviated from the core reason why it had been successful all these years. Should have left it at $500, attract the largest field you can get or handle, and let fans root for their personal Rocky Balboa. You will have some up years and some down years, but that's part of the promotion business. I think it's a bad move to revamp everything because of an off year. One bad year doesn't make a trend, it's just a down year.
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