Entry fees do vary depending on the division you are in, but they are generally between $75 and $150 plus a sanction fee of around $25. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
I went to the BCA for the first time in several years, and can I say I was impressed! The RIO is a better hotel than the RIV, but thats not what did it for me. The BCA had all touch screen monitors for brackets and a card swipe that would show you your place in the bracket immediately. Sign up with your phone number and they send text messages to remind you of your next match. Of course, all diamond tables. The PRO tournament was free and played in the same room. It was very accessible. Also, a large live screen TV of the pro tournament as you enter the play area. Not only that, you can access the same feed from your TV in your room. These were all nice perks that I didn't expect, but very much appreciated.
I also went to the APA event a month later at the RIV. I didn't play, but It wasn't ran nearly as well IMO. The RIV is really on its last leg. It is getting very run down. Not knocking the APA for the sake of knocking, just giving my honest opinion.
That being said, I did have some issues with the RIO too. We were stuck in our hotel wing for about an hour because the elevators were not working. The only one working was packed with people overtime is stopped. We walked down the stairs only to find the doors locked. Fire hazard?! We eventually found a maid who let a bunch of us down the service elevator. Also, my buddy had an issue checking in about 4 hours late. That was a pain in the ass too. Now at the RIV, my room flooded because there was a hair ball in the sink drain the size of the kitty on an 1970s porn star!
Over all, the BCA did a super job!
