Helpful hints for a noob tournament director

asmith74

asmith74

Where I pay homage
Silver Member
Hey all,

I’m thinking about starting a small, local 8 ball or 9 ball tournament in my area. I found this link: http://www.pool4u.com/RunTournament.aspx . It seems to explain all the basic stuff. I was just wondering if anyone can expand on this. I get the feeling that if I actually get a decent field and things go wrong it will be one and done. Does anyone with experience in this type of venture have ANY helpful hints that will enable this idea to come to fruition? I know there are variables, and that is what scares me. Any help with these variables is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Andy
 
Do an open draw so everyone can draw there own number, go over the rules (especially for Eight Ball), make sure players know how the matches are being scheduled, get it started on time, PAY ATTENTION answering any and all questions (even the stupid ones - PATIENCE!), WATCH THE MATCHES calling hits when necessary, PAY THE MONEY promptly when players are eliminated in the money. And finally, thank everyone for playing and make sure they know when the next one will be.

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going to give it a shot. btw Jay, looking forward to reading the book. I'm not much of a reader but it sounds like a great read.
 
Yoda

jay helfert said:
Do an open draw so everyone can draw there own number, go over the rules (especially for Eight Ball), make sure players know how the matches are being scheduled, get it started on time, PAY ATTENTION answering any and all questions (even the stupid ones - PATIENCE!), WATCH THE MATCHES calling hits when necessary, PAY THE MONEY promptly when players are eliminated in the money. And finally, thank everyone for playing and make sure they know when the next one will be.

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!
Click to expand...

Truly pearls of wisdom from the master.:cool:
 
tourny

jay helfert said:
Do an open draw so everyone can draw there own number, go over the rules (especially for Eight Ball), make sure players know how the matches are being scheduled, get it started on time, PAY ATTENTION answering any and all questions (even the stupid ones - PATIENCE!), WATCH THE MATCHES calling hits when necessary, PAY THE MONEY promptly when players are eliminated in the money. And finally, thank everyone for playing and make sure they know when the next one will be.

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!
Click to expand...

Ditto on this!!!!! but also remember, you are the TD you are in charge, read the rules until you have them burned in your brain, dont let players try to tell you what to do---you are the man , you best be READY!!!!:p
 
Post pay out ahead of time
if it is 8 ball, call pocket causes less arguments than call shot
try to recognize who the "slow" players are and get them going or they will hold the whole tournament back
 
And in the same vain as the previous post. Scan the tournament board to keep an eye out for key matches that will keep the tournament going smoothly and not hold up the whole tournament. So, get the winner's side going in the early couple of rounds, then keep the loser's side going after that. A winner's side match in a double elimination tournament can hold up two or more matches, since the winner and loser of that match are both still in the tournament.

Most important of all is to establish a balanced board with the byes in the right places.
 
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For smaller, local bar tournaments I'd disagree with the idea of don't ever play in a tournament that you run.

Sometimes, having that extra player (yourself) helps make the tournament better. And, in the smaller tournaments, you usually aren't going to get compensated enough to make it worthwhile to be there. You're providing the service as a benefit for the players. Beware that you may get little praise for your service, and in some instances get a lot flack. But the point is, once you understand how to run the smaller tournaments, for most people, the only way that you'll keep doing it, is because you're going to play in it anyway. So you'll have to really keep things on the up and up, if you're playing in it.

For the first few that you do though, I'd recommend that you don't want to run it and play it. 2 reasons. 1. is that you likely won't be able to put enough concentration into playing your game anyway. You'll be way too easily distracted. 2. is that you must be able to keep the tournament flowing, even while you're playing...
 
jay helfert said:
Do an open draw so everyone can draw there own number, go over the rules (especially for Eight Ball), make sure players know how the matches are being scheduled, get it started on time, PAY ATTENTION answering any and all questions (even the stupid ones - PATIENCE!), WATCH THE MATCHES calling hits when necessary, PAY THE MONEY promptly when players are eliminated in the money. And finally, thank everyone for playing and make sure they know when the next one will be.

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!
Click to expand...

Great advice! Plus I would ad get the money to be paid for place be they 1st. 2nd., and 3rd. ETC. on the tourney board with in a half hour of the start, so the player know how much placing in the event pays.
 
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What's the protocol for settling disputes? Especially on stuff you didn't see.

Thanks for all the ideas!
Andy
 
A TD will never make everyone happy

asmith74 said:
What's the protocol for settling disputes? Especially on stuff you didn't see.

Thanks for all the ideas!
Andy
Click to expand...

BCA RULE COVER THAT QUESTION WELL!

I have seen a TD when they just can not make a fair decision after hearing both side of the story say. Who Broke this Game? Than re rack, and start the game over.

A TD will never make everyone happy, but if they apply rules, as stated before start of play equally that is all than can honestly. IMHO:smile:
 
Explain that there is not a ref at every table, and if a player does not call you over to watch a hit then the dispute goes to the shooter, no exceptions.

Make clear what the rules of time outs are. Usually 1 time out per player per match when it is their turn at the table only, and 5 minutes is enough.
 
asmith74 said:
What's the protocol for settling disputes? Especially on stuff you didn't see.

Thanks for all the ideas!
Andy
Click to expand...


You'd be surprised what you will find out if you ask each player to explain exactly what happened. Make sure only one player is talking at a time, because both will want to talk at once. Usually I ask the shooter first to tell me what happened. You'd be surprised how often they tell on themselves.

More often than not, I've found that I can make a ruling based on what the players have told me and AGREED upon. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT ask spectators what they saw. Trust me when I tell you, you don't want to go there. In some rare situations the best ruling is to start the game over. I've probably done that a handful of times over the years.

When you make a decision be emphatic, not wishy washy. Make sure they understand this is your decision, and then walk away from the table. If you stand around you are inviting more debate. Make your decision/call and go back to work.
 
The only thing I have to add is that even after a decision has been made by you, some players will want to continue to talk about it. I usually let it go unless the discussion seems to be getting loud enough for me to over hear. In other words, they clearly aren't pleased with the decision and want to see if they can squeeze me on it - and maybe get a better call later on something else. When that happens, I walk over to them and quietly say, "Once the referee, in this case me, makes a call, it's final. Continuing to talk about it doesn't help anyone and, in fact, is against the rules. You need to let it go or you're going to force me to go tournament director on you."

Being the TD is often a difficult job, with some players, and they need to understand that you're in charge.

Just my 2 cents.

Brian in VA
 
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